Back Take from Half Guard

Also known as: Limp Arm Back Take · Underhook Back Take · Dogfight Back Take

When your underhook makes them whizzer, limp-arm free and slide behind them — bottom half guard converts directly to the best position in the sport.

Back Take · Gi & No-gi · Difficulty 3/5 · Usually learned at Blue belt

Starts from Half Guard as the half guard player → lands in Back Control.

The details that make it work

1. Win the underhook and come up to your knees into the "dogfight" if they sprawl the leg back.
2. Against the whizzer: limp-arm (spiral your arm out bonelessly) as you duck your head under.
3. Chest follows their back as you clear; seatbelt before they can turn and face.

Where it goes wrong

• Fighting the whizzer with strength instead of the limp arm or a rolling kimura answer.

How opponents counter it

• Crushing whizzer with hip pressure before the limp arm
• Turn and face fast, conceding only guard

Is the Back Take from Half Guard legal in competition?

Legal in all major rulesets at all levels (IBJJF, ADCC, sub-only). Rules change — always confirm against the current official rulebook for your event.

Related techniques

• Old School Sweep
• Back Take from Turtle
• Rear Naked Choke
• D’Arce Choke

All moves from Half Guard · Back to Grapplepedia