Twister

The Twister is a highly effective submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and grappling that targets the spine through a combination of twisting and rotational pressure. It is classified as a spinal lock, where the opponent’s lower body is immobilized while their upper body is twisted in the opposite direction. The Twister is often associated with the Truck Control and is one of the signature moves popularized by Eddie Bravo and the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system.

Key Characteristics

Type Spinal Lock

Primary Target

  • Spine (cervical and thoracic vertebrae)

Mechanism

  • Twisting the opponent’s spine by immobilizing their hips and controlling their head or neck.

Steps to Perform the Twister

Enter the Truck Position

Control the Opponent’s Upper Body

  • Secure the opponent’s far-side arm and head by wrapping your arm around their head, locking their upper body in place.
  • Keep the trapped leg tight and prevent their hips from turning into you.

Set Up the Twist

  • Apply rotational pressure by pulling their head toward you with your arm while keeping their trapped leg extended away. This creates a twisting motion along their spine.

Apply the Submission

  • Gradually increase the twist by pulling their head and leg in opposite directions.
  • The opponent will tap when the pressure on their spine becomes too intense.

Common Entries to the Twister

From the Truck Position

  • The most common setup. Once you have the opponent’s leg trapped, secure their head and arm to set up the submission.

From Back Control

From Turtle Control

  • Hook one of the opponent’s legs while maintaining control of their hips and roll into the Truck Control for the Twister.

From Mount

During a Scramble

  • Capitalize on transitions and scrambles to trap the opponent’s leg and enter the Truck Control.

Key Concepts for Success

Body Control

  • The Twister requires tight control of the opponent’s hips and head to prevent them from escaping or relieving pressure.

Spinal Isolation

  • By immobilizing their lower body and twisting their upper body, you create the torque needed for the spinal lock.

Gradual Pressure

  • Increase the twist slowly to give the opponent time to tap and avoid injury.

Common Mistakes

Loose Leg Control

  • If the opponent’s leg is not securely trapped, they can escape or counter the submission.

Rushing the Submission

  • Applying pressure too quickly can cause injury or result in losing control of the position.

Poor Upper Body Control

  • Failing to control their head and arm allows the opponent to create space and escape.

Safety and Ethical Considerations

The Twister is a potentially dangerous submission because it targets the spine, an area that is not very flexible and prone to injury. Practitioners should:

  • Apply the submission gradually.
  • Respect their training partner’s tap immediately.
  • Use the Twister sparingly in training to prioritize safety.

Strategy

The Twister is an excellent submission when combined with the Truck Control and works well in a game plan focused on controlling transitions and scrambles. While it’s a powerful tool, it’s most effective when used as a surprise attack or as part of a system involving back attacks and leg control.

Tip

The Twister is a high-risk, high-reward submission. Focus on mastering the Truck Control and transitions to ensure tight control before attempting the submission!

Positioning

The Twister can be executed from various positions that allow for the immobilization of the opponent’s lower body while isolating their upper body for rotational pressure. Below are the primary positions from which the Twister can be applied:

Truck Position

Scenario

  • You’ve transitioned to the Truck Control by trapping one of the opponent’s legs and controlling their hips.

Execution

  • Secure their head and far-side arm while maintaining control of their trapped leg. Apply the twisting motion to finish the submission.

Back Control

Scenario

  • You have the opponent’s back with one or both hooks in.

Execution

  • Transition from Back Control by removing one hook, trapping the opponent’s leg, and rolling into the Truck Control to set up the Twister.

Turtle Position

Scenario

  • The opponent is in Turtle Guard, defending against passes or submissions.

Execution

  • Hook one of their legs with your leg and roll them into the Truck Control. From there, transition to the Twister.

Side Control

Scenario

  • You are in Side Control, and the opponent begins to turn into you or away.

Execution

  • Transition to their back as they turn, trapping their leg with your leg or arm. Use this to enter the Truck Control and finish with the Twister.

Mount

Scenario

  • You have Mount and the opponent bridges or exposes their back to escape.

Execution

From Guard Passing

Scenario

Execution

  • Hook their leg during the pass, roll them into the Truck Control, and transition to the Twister.

From Half Guard Top

Scenario

  • You are on top in Half Guard, and the opponent begins to turn away to defend or escape.

Execution

  • Use their movement to trap their leg and roll into the Truck Control, setting up the Twister.

From Scrambles

Scenario

  • The opponent attempts to escape or transition, leaving their leg or back exposed.

Execution

  • Hook their leg mid-scramble, control their hips, and transition to the Truck Control or directly to the Twister.

From Bottom Turtle (Counterattack)

Scenario

  • You are in a defensive position under the opponent’s Turtle Control.

Execution

  • Hook their leg while rolling through to reverse the position, trapping them in the Truck Control and transitioning to the Twister.

North-South Position

Scenario

  • You are in North South control, and the opponent turns to escape.

Execution

  • Follow their movement to trap their leg and transition to the Truck Control for the Twister.

Key Factors Across Positions

Leg Control

  • Trapping one of the opponent’s legs is crucial for setting up the Twister.

Upper Body Isolation

  • Secure their head and far-side arm to create the twisting motion needed for the spinal lock.

Positional Awareness

  • Use transitions like scrambles or guard passes to find opportunities to trap their leg and enter the Truck Control.
Tip

While the Truck Control is the most common entry for the Twister, being able to transition smoothly from positions like Back Control, Turtle Guard, or Half Guard greatly increases your chances of success with this submission. Focus on recognizing leg-trapping opportunities during scrambles or escapes!

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