Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has rapidly gained popularity globally, attracting students of diverse backgrounds. Emphasizing positional dominance, BJJ prioritizes taking the opponent's back as a dominant position. This stance presents numerous submission opportunities while reducing vulnerability to counter-attacks. Beginners must grasp fundamental techniques for seizing the back. This article delves into three essential backtakes essential for any novice looking to enhance their BJJ skills.
Why back take is important?
Before delving into the techniques, it's crucial to grasp the importance of the backtake in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Seizing the back grants superior control over your opponent and opens avenues for potent submissions, particularly chokes. Moreover, it severely restricts your opponent's defensive options, making it difficult for them to mount a counter-attack. Given these advantages, mastering the backtake early is pivotal for beginners in their BJJ progression.
With this understanding, let's now explore our top recommendations.
With this understanding, let's now explore our top recommendations.
1.Gift Wrap To Backtake
The gift wrap is a potent controlling position adaptable in various scenarios. In this instructional, BJJ blackbelt Brian Glick shows how to transition from the gift wrap into taking the opponent's back. Begin by securing the gift wrap, often achieved from side control when the opponent defends with their arm. Utilize the arm control to maneuver into position and secure their back. This method is straightforward yet highly effective, requiring no exceptional athleticism to execute.
2.Chair Sit To Backtake
Brandon Mccaghren, a 10th Planet black belt, details the chair sit technique in the above video. The chair sit backtake involves a movement akin to sitting back in a chair, designed to transition from less dominant positions like half-guard or turtle to the highly dominant back position. It's a versatile technique applicable from white to black belt levels.
To perform the chair sit, start by securing an underhook on the side you aim to take the opponent's back. This underhook disrupts their posture and balance. Shift your weight towards their free leg and shoulder, smoothly sitting back to pull them over. With proper execution, you'll end up on the opponent's back, poised to secure control.
The chair sit stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness, favored by BJJ practitioners for its seamless transition to dominant positions without unnecessary complexity.
To perform the chair sit, start by securing an underhook on the side you aim to take the opponent's back. This underhook disrupts their posture and balance. Shift your weight towards their free leg and shoulder, smoothly sitting back to pull them over. With proper execution, you'll end up on the opponent's back, poised to secure control.
The chair sit stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness, favored by BJJ practitioners for its seamless transition to dominant positions without unnecessary complexity.
3.Arm Drag To Backtake
BJJ black belts Stephan Kesting and Rob Biernacki delve into the fundamentals of the arm drag from a 2 on 1 grip scenario. This technique involves pulling your opponent’s arm across their body to create angles for attacks. By executing the arm drag, you aim to expose your opponent's vulnerable sides or back, facilitating opportunities for dominant positions such as taking their back. Additionally, it can be utilized for sweeps from guard or countering aggressive grips.
Essential to the arm drag is a secure grip on your opponent's wrist with one hand, while the other hand controls their tricep or elbow, or grips near their armpit for enhanced control. Pull their arm across their body while adjusting your positioning to effectively expose their side or back.
Essential to the arm drag is a secure grip on your opponent's wrist with one hand, while the other hand controls their tricep or elbow, or grips near their armpit for enhanced control. Pull their arm across their body while adjusting your positioning to effectively expose their side or back.
Perfecting The Art Of The Backtake
Mastering the art of backtakes in BJJ demands consistent practice and meticulous refinement. Regularly drill the foundational techniques demonstrated in instructional videos, ensuring proficiency from both sides. Gradually introduce resistance during drills and leverage live sparring sessions for real-time feedback on technique efficacy.
Emphasize leverage and timing over strength; BJJ thrives on technical precision. Each backtake has its opportune moment; attune yourself to these nuances through experience. Seek feedback from coaches and peers to refine and expand your skill set, incorporating insights and variations into your training regimen.
Study elite practitioners renowned for their back-taking prowess like Garry Tonon, Marcelo Garcia, and Ryan Hall. Appreciate how they apply techniques effectively, showcasing that size and strength are secondary to technique mastery in achieving excellence in back control.
Emphasize leverage and timing over strength; BJJ thrives on technical precision. Each backtake has its opportune moment; attune yourself to these nuances through experience. Seek feedback from coaches and peers to refine and expand your skill set, incorporating insights and variations into your training regimen.
Study elite practitioners renowned for their back-taking prowess like Garry Tonon, Marcelo Garcia, and Ryan Hall. Appreciate how they apply techniques effectively, showcasing that size and strength are secondary to technique mastery in achieving excellence in back control.
Final Thoughts
Securing the back in BJJ provides a significant tactical edge, positioning you dominantly with numerous submission openings. Beginners should prioritize mastering foundational backtakes like the gift wrap, chair sit, and arm drag. These techniques serve as essential building blocks for advancing to more complex strategies in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Dedication to practice and meticulous attention to technique are crucial to harnessing the effectiveness of these maneuvers, transforming them into potent assets in your BJJ skill set.
