Underhook from Taking the Back

Underhook from Taking the Back is a transition between related positions built around a handful of repeatable controls. Bottom player has a De La Riva hook around the standing partner's lead leg, with grips on the sleeve and either ankle or collar. Another common starting shape: the bottom player has half guard with the underhook secured, fighting for inside knee position while the top player attempts to flatten or counter with a darce. The ideas that hold it together are sequencing grips, angle, and entry as one motion, half-guard sweeps double as back-take entries, and knee position is the central battle in the underhook half guard.

The underhook chain is a sequence of small controls, not one athletic burst. Wedge the knee or shin behind the partner's near knee for control. Secure strong sleeve, collar, or pant grips before initiating the rotation. Drive the spin under the partner's hips while keeping the back tight to the mat. Thread the inside hook to lock the back ride. Win the knee battle by keeping the inside knee and freeing it from being pinned. Slide down the body to grab the far leg before coming up. Chase the back as the opponent turns away rather than settling for top position. Pull the underhooked leg toward the chest as the invert starts. The attacker has completed the rotation onto the back of the partner, chest-to-back with at least one hook and a building seatbelt grip.

Later in the underhook, the underhook keeps the top player from running away during the invert, the turn-away invites the back, and seatbelt before hooks tend to decide whether the position stays on track. Watch for these mistakes: Releasing the controlling grip too early lets the partner re-square and recover posture. Using the half-guard underhook sweep against opponents with strong darce attacks. Coming up before the far leg is controlled, which gives the opponent room to base out. Waiting for the top player to fully turn before climbing, missing the window. The high-percentage version of underhook from taking the back is the one you can still chain when the next position is contested.