This page is being built out. The sections below are a partial sketch — the structure is in place but the depth will grow over time.
Opening
Back mount is near universally considered to be the best position in the sport of BJJ. Consequently, it is also worth the most points across the majority of point-based rulesets. This is due to the large discrepancy in the ability of the offensive player to threaten submissions, and the near-zero threat provided by the defensive player. This positional dominance is further exacerbated in MMA due to the very one-sided ability to land effective strikes.
This results in a situation where the attacker cannot progress to a better position (yes, some individuals may favour others, but generally).
Therefore, each player’s overall aims in this position are fairly clear:
- The offensive player’s aim is to submit. Submission options that sustain a high level of control during application are favourable to those that allow potential openings for escape in cases of failure.
- The defensive player’s aim is to escape back control whilst avoiding submission threats. Escapes that result in a greater positional advantage after completion are more favourable than those that end in a ‘less bad’ pin. Primary goal should be to avoid being submitted.
This streamlined set of aims results in a far more narrow system than many of the others.
Primary network transitions
These are the connections noted within the network diagram, written in worded format. Rough order is best case for you to worst case for you, although not exact — many are situational, interchangeable, and dependent on the proficiency of individual athletes in each system.
Format: what you / opponent does → the system you have transitioned to
- Back control transitions to Pin Submissions with a submission already applied:
- (1a) Opponent escapes back control into a bottom pin with a submission already being applied
- (1b) You transition into a top pin already applying a submission
- Opponent escapes to a bottom pin → Pinning System
- Opponent escapes to bottom turtle → Top Turtle System
- You enter the legs (either directly or through a truck system halfway) → Offensive Leg Lock System
- Opponent recovers guard → Passing System
- Opponent escapes to top position (not passed your guard) → Offensive Guard System
- Opponent escapes to top position (not yet passed your guard, but presenting threat of a pass) → Guard Retention
- Opponent manages to enter your legs → Leg Lock Defence
- Opponent escapes to top position (passed your guard) → Pin Escapes
Notable athletes, coaches, sources
- John Danaher — credited with the creation of the ‘straitjacket system’, a fundamental element of modern hand fighting and arm trapping from the back.
Prolific finishers from the back (different to prolific back takers):
- Gordon Ryan
- Ethan Crelinsten
- Marcelo Garcia
- Roberto Jimenez
- Bobby Sandhu