Back Is the Endgame

Top game where every dominant position is a stepping stone to back control. HQ, side control, mount, & north-south all mapped toward the gift wrap & the rear naked choke

Flow outline

  1. Top Game

    • The starting point of domination. From here, you set HQ or go straight for the leg drag to begin your systematic hunt for the back. Every movement is calculated to strip away your opponent's defenses and expose their spine

  2. HQ

    • Headquarters—the control center for your back-taking campaign. From pressure position, you launch knee cuts and side smash passes, each designed to bypass the guard and transition directly into back-attack scenarios. is where you break their posture and begin the hunt

  3. Knee Cut Pass

    • Most of the time A fundamental pass that slices through the guard and lands you in side control. But don't settle for side control—use it as a launchpad. Immediately look for the darce choke or transition to north south to set up gift wrap entries. The knee cut is just the first step toward the back

  4. Side Smash Pass

    • From here, if it shows up, crushing pressure that flattens the opponent and delivers you straight to mount. mount is a powerful position, but for the back taker, it's merely a temporary holding cell. from here, you attack with armbars or, better yet, use the gift wrap to spin directly to the back and secure the rear naked choke. switch if it stalls

  5. Side Control

    • A dominant position that should never be your final destination. From side control, you transition to knee on belly for increased control or move to north south to attack the neck and set up the gift wrap. Always be working toward the back—side control is just a pit stop on the road to back control

  6. Mount

    • Often A position of supreme control that fools most practitioners into complacency. For the back taker, mount is merely a transitional state. Attack with traditional armbars, but your primary focus should be securing the gift wrap to spin to the back. The mount is just a stepping stone to the ultimate position

  7. North South

    • Key detail: from here, an excellent control position that offers direct paths to the back. from north south, attack with the north south choke or overhook armbar, but always be hunting for the gift wrap entry. position perfect alignment for spinning to the back when they defend—never waste north south on anything but back-taking opportunities

  8. Knee On Belly

    • If it shows up, A dynamic control position that creates immense pressure and opens multiple pathways. From knee on belly, keep heavy pressure while looking for transitions to north south or back to side control—always with the intention of finding an opening for the gift wrap. position should make your opponent desperate to turn away, exposing their back in the process

  9. Gift Wrap Back Take

    • The crown jewel of back-taking techniques. Once you secure the gift wrap from mount or north south, their back is yours. From here, finish with the rear naked choke or transition to the arm triangle if they defend. The gift wrap is the most reliable path to back control—master and you'll always find the back

  10. Leg Pull

    • If they frame, a direct attack from the top game that bypasses traditional passing. drag the leg to create immediate back exposure. isn't just a pass—it's a shortcut to back control. use the leg pull to get behind your opponent before they can set any guard, putting you directly on the path to the rear naked choke

Branch conditions