In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling, getting behind the opponent is challenging but highly rewarding both in the standup and on the ground. As all matches start from the standup, getting behind (finding your path to back) and finishing the opponent from behind (either by submission or takedowns) are two different skills to master. When attacking, being tactically aware of what you can do in various situations is essential. Below are seven of the best takedowns you can perform from the standing chest-to-back position.
What Is The Chest-To-Back Position?
In grappling, the chest-to-back position is when a grappler controls the opponent from behind with a body lock. This position is highly advantageous and can be difficult to escape if the grappler controlling from behind keeps a tight control either with an S-grip, gable grip, or butterfly grip. What makes this position ideal both in the stand-up and on the ground is that the opponent has to rely on their instincts when defending as they have no oversight of your possible offensive setups behind.
The chest-to-back position gives you total control over the opponent, making it easier to monitor their movements. It leaves them with limited options to defend, either by attacking your wrist or using their lower body to move their hips out. Here are some of the best takedowns you can perform from the chest-to-back position.
1) Mat Return
The mat return is usually performed once you’ve controlled the opponent from behind or as they return on their feet from the turtle position. Keep your arms locked behind the opponent; have your long arm at the top of your gable grip and your short arm at the lower hand of your gable grip. Come around to the side of your short arm and pop your hips onto the opponent’s legs to lift them explosively.
The idea is that you want the opponent’s feet to be kicked and lifted off the mat, thus landing them on their shoulders. Sometimes, in grappling, the opponent may stand up with a wide base to defend, making it difficult for the mat to return. When it happens, put your grip in front of their body, drop to your knees in an explosive circular motion, and come on top.
2) Valley Drop
The Valley Drop is a simple takedown anyone can perform. It doesn’t require lifting, twisting, or throwing, only sitting on the mat. It can be set up with the jab or kicks in a self-defense scenario and can land you straight into the mount or side control. To perform, get into the back or enter a side clinch with the opponent by applying a body lock.
Most of the time, from the side body lock, the opponent will go for a headlock; regardless, you can still perform the takedown. Use your near foot to block behind the opponent’s far heel. Sit with your glute flat on the mat as you pull in with your body lock grip. Open your body lock grip as you swing over your leg to land on top.
3) Reverse Valley Drop (Cross Scissor Trip)
Starting from the back with body lock control, drive your opponent forward, putting them on the brakes. What this does is it forces the opponent to lean against you and as they do, turn your hips to face away from them. It’s essential to make the 180-degree turn as it keeps you on your knees and prevents you from falling into your hips. Use your outside leg to block the opponent’s far leg as you kneel with your other leg.
The good thing about this takedown is it lands you in an excellent top-dominant position, allowing you to set up the mount or get around to side control and take the opponent’s back.
4) Crotch Lift (Standing Rear Body Lock To Takedown)
Sakuraba used the standing rear body lock takedown against Renzo Gracie. From the standing rear body lock, when the opponent utilizes a kimura grip, you want to switch your grip control from the body lock to between the opponent’s leg. Switching grips should be done quickly, as a strong opponent will use this opportunity to crank the Kimura.
Move around to your side (your opponent’s Kimura side) and quickly readjust your grip. Take a big step in front of the opponent, putting yourself on the side and lifting the opponent. Use your hips to lift the opponent explosively and drag them on the mat with emphasis.
5) Front Trip
The front trip is a simple takedown you can do to take your opponent down the mat from the rear body lock. After securing the body lock either with a gable or S-grip, step over your leg, hook it in front of the opponent’s leg, and pressure your weight forward. Post your hand on the mat as you take the opponent down to maintain back control.
6) Belly-To-Back Suplex
The belly-to-back suplex is a classic and one of the coolest variations of the suplex. It is biomechanically one of the most powerful throws available because your posterior muscle is the strongest muscle chain and, by extension, is the strongest movement the body can make.
Perform it by securing back control by any means, and squeeze the opponent’s ribcage and core area (also known as the gut wrench in wrestling) by securing the lock and squeezing your elbows together. Bring your hips forward and bend backward by looking over one shoulder, making the opponent fall on top of their shoulder.
Practicing the suplex calls for safety – therefore, it requires countless repetitions of drilling using a dummy bag before practicing with a partner. While it may look complicated, there are different drills you can perform, like arching your back, hip, and neck bridges, and partner-assisted (hand catch) suplex drills to get better with the technique.
7) Knee Bump
From back control, squeeze the opponent as tight as possible to keep the control consistent. There are different ways to perform the knee bump. A common one is when the opponent is moving forward, follow them by making the opponent carry your weight forward, and as they step, step your right knee over to bring them down the mat with the back control.
Conclusion
Taking the opponent down from back control can be done efficiently by making them carry your weight and following their movements. Back control allows you to be one step ahead of the opponent, allowing you to plan moves. Practice these takedowns safely during training and see how you can create a game around the back control setup.
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