Back Control
Also known as back mount, rear mount, taking the back
A dominant rear position that controls the opponent's hips and upper body while exposing high-percentage choking attacks.
At a glance
- Family
- Position
- Format
- Gi & no-gi
- Level
- Fundamental
- Connections
- 4 techniques
Concept
What it is
Back control places the attacker behind the opponent's shoulders with chest-to-back connection and lower-body control through hooks, a body triangle, or another hip clamp. Most rulesets award it highly because the defender cannot easily face the attacker.
Reliable back control is a sequence of controls, not a race to the neck. The attacker manages the shoulder line, keeps the hips connected, and alternates between restraining escape and creating choking access.
Core mechanics
Key principles
- Keep your chest aligned behind the opponent's shoulders.
- Control the shoulder line before chasing the neck.
- Use the legs to follow the hips without crossing the feet dangerously.
- Maintain a strong side and understand when to switch sides.
System map
How it connects
Jiu-jitsu techniques work in sequences. These are common conceptual routes in, productive next steps, and the defensive priorities that shape the exchange.
Common entries
Arm drag
Move behind the shoulder after redirecting an arm across the centerline.
Turtle breakdown
Open an elbow-knee connection and insert upper- and lower-body controls.
Berimbolo
Follow the hip rotation from guard into a rear control.
Next actions
Rear naked choke
Win hand position and connect a choking arm while preserving chest-to-back control.
Armbar
Transition over an isolated arm when the defender commits both hands to the neck.
Mount
Follow a turning escape and settle on top without losing upper-body control.
Defensive priorities
Protect the neck
Address the choking hand before trying to remove lower-body control.
Put shoulders on the mat
Move off the attacker's chest and rotate toward a facing position.
Clear the hip line
Remove hooks or the body triangle once immediate choking danger is controlled.
Competition connections
Athletes associated with Back Control
Keep exploring
Related techniques
Submission
Rear Naked Choke
A high-percentage rear strangle that uses an arm around the neck while the attacker controls the opponent from behind.
Transition
Berimbolo
An inversion-based transition from De La Riva and related guards that follows the opponent's hip to expose the back or create a sweep.
Transition
Crab Ride
A rear-hip riding position that uses the feet behind the opponent's knees or thighs to elevate, steer, and expose the back.
Position
Mount
A dominant top position in which the attacker straddles the opponent's torso to control movement and isolate the arms or neck.
Rules and reference sources
Rules evolve. The official organizer documents below are the source of truth for competition legality; the guide above explains the technique conceptually.