Back Defense

Back Defense refers to the techniques and strategies used to escape and defend against Back Control, one of the most dominant positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The primary goals of Back Defense are to protect against submissions like the Rear Naked Choke while working to escape the position and regain a more neutral or advantageous position.

Key Concepts of Back Defense

Frames and Structure

  • Use your arms and hands to create barriers between the opponent's choking arm and your neck.

Grip Fighting

  • Prioritize breaking Grips Overview, especially the choking hand, to prevent submissions.

Hip Movement

  • Use dynamic hip escapes and shifts to free your hips from the opponent’s control.

Connection and Awareness

  • Stay connected to the opponent to avoid giving them space to adjust or tighten control.

Objectives of Back Defense

Defend Submissions

  • Protect your neck by addressing the opponent’s grip and blocking their arms.
  • Keep your chin tucked and your shoulders shrugged to make choking more difficult.

Escape Back Control

Regain a Neutral or Advantageous Position

Defensive Techniques

Grip Fighting

  • Use both hands to peel the opponent’s choking arm away from your neck.
  • Break the seatbelt grip by addressing the hand gripping your shoulder first.

Escape Hooks

  • Slide your hips down and to the side to free your legs from their Hooks.
  • Use the Pillow Escape technique to remove their control over your lower body.

Turning Into the Opponent

Rolling to Escape

  • Use the Backdoor Escape by tucking your chin and rolling downward to slip out of their control.
  • Granby roll into a scramble or Guard if the opponent loosens their grip.

Common Mistakes in Back Defense

Ignoring the Choking Arm

  • Focusing solely on Hooks or hips without addressing the choking arm often leads to submissions.

Static Defense

  • Staying still gives the opponent time to adjust and tighten their control.

Leaning Backward

  • Exposing your neck and spine makes it easier for the opponent to attack or control you.

Failure to Prioritize

  • Trying to escape before breaking Grips Overview often leads to ineffective movement and submission vulnerability.

Back Defense emphasizes Problem Solving under high-pressure scenarios. It requires technical precision, composure, and prioritization of protecting your neck and hips while systematically working toward escape. Mastery of back escapes reinforces the Positional Hierarchy by reducing time spent in the most disadvantageous position.

Advancing Back Defense

Transitions from Back Defense

Submissions from Back Defense

  • Kimura if the opponent overextends their arm during control.
  • Guillotine by catching their neck in a scramble.
  • Armbar if you isolate their arm during grip fighting.

Escapes from Back Defense

Takedowns from Back Defense

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