Chapter 2: Powerful BJJ Techniques to Survive All-Fours Back Attack

In BJJ, the most powerful attacks are secured from a back position. One such position is the All-Fours Back Position. Any jiu-jitsu practitioner would confirm that being face down on all fours while your opponent has complete control of your back is a dangerous position.

The all-fours is a variation of the back mount and is equally difficult to survive. The two positions offer similar submission opportunities to the top combatant, To find out which submission techniques are the most effective from the all-fours back control position, click here.

In BJJ, the most powerful attacks are secured from a back position. One such position is the All-Fours Back Position. Any jiu-jitsu practitioner would confirm that being face down on all fours while your opponent has complete control of your back is a dangerous position. The good news is that with a little technique and proper leverage one can easily escape the All-Fours-Back position. The trick is to be relaxed, bring your elbows close to the body, and defend your neck. This posture would then easily block your opponent’s attack and he would become dependent on your moves.

Whether experienced or inexperienced, all BJJ practitioners can benefit from the All Fours Back Survival technique. The best way to practice is to start alone without a partner or opponent. Keep practicing this technique till you become comfortable and understand the power of this position. Afterward, you would be able to practice this position with an opponent and counter his attacks effectively.

1. Start by blocking the inside of your gi’s right lapel with your left hand. Keep your right-hand alert by slightly crossing it over your left hand. This hand position is inspired by the hand fighting technique used in the back attack survival posture.

2. Bend forward and place your elbows between your knees.

3. Bend all the way till your forehead touches the ground. As you maintain this position keep your face down. If you lift your face without the intent of a reversal, you would jeopardize your neck and base protection.

Whenever you find yourself in an all-fours position with your opponent taking your back, you must react quickly and adopt a defensive stance. A single second of delay can be fatal. This is because your opponent’s weight and his attacks will slow you down and tire you out. Escaping the all-fours back attack demands fast reflexes. You can develop a quick response to survive the All-Fours by practicing the technique with a partner.

1. Once your partner/opponent takes your back in the All-Fours position, retaliate quickly or he would use his dominating position to his advantage.

2. Bring your right elbow inward and position it toward the inside of your opponent’s right leg. Use your left hand to support this move.

3. With your right elbow in place, quickly slide your left elbow next to it.

4. Now, use your hands to cover the gi collar and prevent any potential attacks. Rest the top of your forehead on the mat. Once you attain this position, your opponent would be quite helpless against your defense as his weight would fall forward.

Attaining the All-Fours Back Survival posture will give you an immense advantage over your opponent who is no longer in complete control of the game. In addition to easily bearing his weight, you can now block all of his attacks.

1. Your opponent may try to attempt a submission or dominate your body, but with the All-Fours Back Survival Posture in place, he won’t have much luck.

2. To submit you, your opponent may try to underhook your arms. But your position won’t provide any empty spaces for him to set up the hooks. His only option is to get under your armpits. However, by joining your elbows to the inner thighs, you have blocked that path too.

3. If your opponent attempts a neck choke, your hands that are covering the collar will protect you. With no angle available to attack, you can attempt a reversal on your opponent. But only if he has a weak posture and continues his choking attempts.

The All-Fours Back Survival is a safe position, but you cannot stay in this position indefinitely. Especially in a competitive environment. Interestingly, escaping the back from this position is not a wise move. You need a powerful and reliable escape route. Thereof, it is better to transition into a Back Survival Position first and then shift your weight down to attain the “Scoop position.”

1. The main aim of the All Fours Survival position is to nullify your opponent’s attacks. Once that purpose is served, it is important to roll into a better survival posture, so you can escape. The Back Survival Posture is your best bet.

2. To attain the back survival posture, lift your left leg and place it away from the body. Simultaneously, bring your right shoulder to the mat. Then bring your hand to the left side. In response to this move, your opponent’s weight will shift towards your right.

3. Use your extended left leg for support and push your body weight onto your opponent’s right leg.

4. Turn your body to the left while keeping your elbows close. Don’t move back into your opponent or they will regain control and hinder your transition.

5. Develop your base to accomplish the Back Survival Position.

When your opponent takes your back and applies force, it is natural to push off the mat in response. This move provides more control to your opponent and makes you vulnerable to his submission attempts. There are two situations in which this error can occur:

1. If you get off the mat, you become open to your opponent’s double underhook control. Your opponent will dominate you completely in this scenario.

2. If you extend your arms too far, your neck becomes exposed to attacks Your opponent can attempt a choke or an over-and-under-arm control.

Out of instinct, you may try to pull your opponent over your head when he takes your back in the all-fours position. For this shoulder throw, you would have to bring out your arm and extend your elbow to complete the attack. In the process, you have exposed yourself to the opponent. He can now push his weight down on you and secure the choke opportunity provided by your unsuccessful shoulder throw.

If your opponent attempts a hook on you with his legs, your first instinct is to remove that hook with your hands. Consequently, you move your hands away from your neck, exposing it to more attacks.

Remember the rules. You must keep your elbows locked to your thighs and place your forehead on the mat.

1. If you fail to adhere to these rules, your opponent will force you into a flat position.

2. Your opponent would open up his knees and force you down toward the mat using his hips. At this point, his weight would become unbearable and you would surrender to the pressure.

3. But your opponent won't stop here. He would continue to build pressure on your lower back till you are completely flattened. From this position, it is extremely difficult to lift your opponent up and attain the original position. From here on it is almost impossible to escape and there is a greater chance that you would be submitted.

The BJJ all-fours back control is a treacherous position for the bottom combatant. It is suggested that you add the all-fours survival training to your BJJ back control defense routine. You must practice precise movements and learn to control your nerves as flawed instincts can ruin your defense strategy.