Reverse Octopus Half Guard Back Take

A system for taking the back from half guard by exploiting opponent posts & creating hip torque through leg hooks & angle changes.

Flow outline

1. Knee Shield Half Guard

   • Starting position with knee shield preventing direct chest pressure.
   • Knee shield blocks opponent's hip entry and creates space
   • Cross face attempt creates opportunity to redirect arm overhead

2. Build Height Posture

   • Establishing elevated posture to create pressure and control options.
   • Post on hand rather than elbow for better weight distribution
   • Grip opponent's lat or gi to maintain upper body connection
   • Chest angled forward to maintain pressure on opponent's torso

3. Opponent Reaches Back

   • Opponent attempts to hook face by reaching back with far arm.
   • Opponent shifts weight to posted hand to create reaching motion
   • Creates imbalance as weight transfers to single support point

4. Collapse and Pummel

   • Collapsing post to pummel under opponent's reaching arm.
   • Slight collapse of posted hand creates space for underhook entry
   • Pummel arm deep under opponent's armpit to establish underhook
   • Bicep punch motion to drive opponent's weight to opposite side

5. Inside Leg Hook Entry

   • Switching legs to hook opponent's instep and create hip torque.
   • Inside leg hooks opponent's instep while maintaining upper body grip
   • Pull opponent's leg up and out to create hip rotation
   • Use leg like joystick to direct opponent's hip orientation

6. Push and Back Take

   • Pushing off posted hand to complete back take as hips rotate.
   • Push off posted hand toward opponent's compromised corner
   • Hook leg slides out in reverse C motion to avoid entrapment
   • Maintain lat grip to pull opponent over during rotation

7. Opponent Posts Sidways

   • Opponent adjusts post orientation to prevent being pushed over.
   • Opponent shifts post slightly off-center to create stability
   • Creates counter-push that can be exploited in opposite direction

8. Hand Hook Variation

   • Using hand to hook instep when leg hook is unavailable.
   • Slide hand down to grab opponent's instep while staying tight
   • Pull instep toward opponent's butt to create knee flexion
   • Drive over opponent's ankle rather than toward knee joint

9. Opponent Tucks Feet

   • Opponent hides insteps by tucking feet and flaring knees.
   • Feet tucking exposes knees as alternative posts to attack
   • Knee flare creates space for butterfly hook entry

10. Near Side Knee Attack

    • Attacking opponent's near side knee post when feet are tucked.
    • Shrimp hips back to create space for knee placement
    • Place knee point against opponent's thigh to disrupt post
    • Forward knee thrust motion to compromise knee stability

11. Butterfly Hook Entry

    • Establishing butterfly hook when opponent flares knees wide.
    • Dig butterfly hook into opponent's thigh when space appears
    • Engage toes over own Achilles to secure hook connection
    • Shrimp hips back in to position under opponent's hips

12. Foot Grab Roll

    • Grabbing opponent's foot to initiate rolling back take.
    • Scoop under opponent's instep with posted hand
    • Roll over shoulder while maintaining hip-to-hip connection
    • Use lat grip to pull opponent over during rotation

13. Reverse Half Guard Entry

    • Opponent flips into reverse half guard exposing different posts.
    • Opponent's hip turn creates space for immediate butterfly hook
    • Original posts shift position creating new attack angles

Branch conditions

• when cross face attempt creates space to redirect arm overhead
• as opponent feels upper body pressure and reaches back to hook face
• when opponent shifts weight to single hand to create reaching motion
• after establishing underhook and driving opponent's weight to opposite side
• when leg hook creates hip rotation and compromises opponent's base
• if opponent anticipates push and adjusts post orientation sideways
• when sideways post prevents leg hook but creates hand access opportunity
• after opponent experiences instep attacks and tucks feet to defend
• when feet tucking exposes near side knee as vulnerable post
• if knee flare from feet tucking creates space for butterfly hook
• when butterfly hook is established but arm posts block direct roll
• if opponent flips hips to reverse half guard during initial engagement