The Back Attack: Executing the Armbar from the Rear Position

The rear position is one of the most dominant positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and offers a wide variety of submission opportunities. One of the most effective submissions from the back is the armbar. In this article, we will discuss the key steps to executing an armbar from the rear position, a submission that can catch your opponent off guard and lead to a quick victory.

Establishing the Back Position

Before attempting the armbar, you must establish a strong back position. Start by getting behind your opponent and securing both hooks, wrapping your legs around their waist. From here, use your arms to control your opponent’s movements and maintain your position. Ensure that your chest is tight to your opponent’s back, keeping them flat on the ground and preventing them from escaping.

Securing the Arm

Once you have established the back position, you need to secure one of your opponent’s arms. The most common way to do this is to use your non-dominant hand to grab your opponent’s wrist and pull it across their body. Use your other arm to secure your opponent’s head, preventing them from turning towards you and defending the armbar.

Trapping the Arm

Once you have secured your opponent’s arm, you need to trap it in place. To do this, use your leg on the same side as the trapped arm to hook your opponent’s arm and bring it towards your body. This will prevent your opponent from pulling their arm out and create a fulcrum for the armbar.

Applying the Armbar

With the arm trapped and in position, it’s time to apply the armbar. Release your grip on your opponent’s head and switch your hand to their elbow, creating a fulcrum for the submission. Push your opponent’s arm towards their head and extend your hips, applying pressure to the joint. Your leg that is over your opponent’s body will help you generate more power for the armbar.

Adjusting the Submission

If your opponent is resisting or defending the armbar, you may need to adjust your position. One common adjustment is to switch your legs, crossing your leg over your opponent’s neck to create more pressure on the arm. You can also use your other hand to control your opponent’s other arm, preventing them from defending the armbar.

Finishing the Submission

To finish the submission, you need to maintain control of your opponent’s arm and apply steady pressure. Keep your hips raised and your back straight, focusing on extending your opponent’s arm and breaking their grip. Your opponent will have little to no leverage to escape, and eventually, they will tap out, signaling the end of the match.

Practice and Repetition

Like any technique in BJJ, the armbar from the back requires practice and repetition to master. Make sure you drill the steps and practice them on both sides, so you can execute the armbar from either side of your opponent. Remember, the more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you will become with the technique.

 

The armbar from the back is a powerful submission that can be applied in a variety of situations in BJJ. By mastering the back position, securing and trapping the arm, and applying the submission with proper technique and pressure, you can become a threat from the back and force your opponent to defend or submit. With practice and persistence, you can become a skilled practitioner of this iconic submission and take your BJJ game to the next level.