Ep. 166: Position Series: Back Control, feat. Nick "Chewy" Albin
Feb 21, 2022
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Nick "Chewy" Albin, BJJ expert and instructor, discusses back control in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Topics include overwhelming force, anatomic hierarchy, head position, form to leave form, and position over submission. They also explore techniques for rolling with bigger opponents and variations of back mount. Don't forget to check out BJJ Mental Models Premium!
Maintaining a strong chest-to-back connection is crucial for controlling the opponent and setting up submissions in back mount.
Developing muscle memory through consistent training enhances control and allows for smoother execution of back control techniques.
Adapting and innovating during back mount control is necessary for mastery, as it allows for unique approaches and surprise attacks.
Deep dives
The Importance of Chest-to-Back Connection in Back Mount
One of the critical elements in back mount control is ensuring a strong chest-to-back connection. This connection is essential for maintaining control and preventing the opponent from escaping. It allows the person in back mount to establish dominant control and set up various submissions. The chest-to-back connection serves as the foundation for hooks, body triangles, and grips. Without a secure connection, the opponent can easily escape the position. Maintaining this connection requires constant awareness and adjustment to ensure a dominant back mount position.
The Role of Muscle Memory in Back Control
As practitioners gain experience and proficiency in back control, they develop muscle memory that allows for smoother and more intuitive execution of techniques. Muscle memory enables practitioners to grip fight, adjust positions, and attack submissions more effectively without conscious thought. This level of automaticity in executing back control techniques enhances control and allows for greater improvisation and adaptation during rolls or competitions. Muscle memory is cultivated through consistent training and drilling, allowing practitioners to elevate their back control game and become more versatile in their attacks and transitions.
The Importance of Adapting and Innovating in Back Mount
While there are established sequences and techniques for back mount control, experienced practitioners understand the importance of adapting and innovating during live training or competition. Following set sequences is helpful in the initial learning stages, but improvisation and customization become crucial for mastery. Practitioners must be open to deviating from established rules and strategies to find what works best for them. This ability to adapt and innovate allows for the creation of unique approaches and techniques that can surprise opponents and enhance success in back mount.
Using Two Choking Arms as an Effective Back Mount Strategy
Deploying two choking arms during back mount attacks can be a powerful strategy. While some may criticize this approach, skilled practitioners know its value. Utilizing two choking arms keeps opponents constantly in defensive mode, making their responses more predictable. This approach can catch opponents off guard, as they may be less focused on countering attacks from both arms simultaneously. It also provides a wider range of attacking options, including the ability to threaten from both sides, which adds unpredictability and increases the chances of successful submissions.
Attacking from the Back
Attacking from the back allows for a constant threat and forces the opponent to focus on defending the choke, making it harder for them to escape. By maintaining tight control and continuously attacking the neck, the opponent's responses become more predictable and their chances of escape diminish. The speaker shares a specific technique he uses by retracting the choking arm and sitting up on the elbow to position his hand just above the opponent's shoulder, making it difficult for the opponent to grab and defend. This constant attacking motion often leads to successful chokes.
Dealing with Bigger Opponents
The speaker emphasizes the importance of facing bigger opponents and using those encounters as learning opportunities. He suggests that training with larger individuals allows smaller practitioners to develop strategies to deal with strength and pressure. He further highlights the need for patience, composure, and energy management when rolling with bigger opponents. Additionally, he expresses the value of experimenting and finding unique solutions based on individual body types and training with different types of people to enhance one's jiu-jitsu skills.
This week we're joined by Nick "Chewy" Albin! Chewy breaks down strategies and concepts for back control. The BJJ podcast crossover you never knew you needed!
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