Back Control Defense for Police: Protect the Neck, Free the Belt
By Amir Khillah, use-of-force & subject-control SME
Getting your back taken is one of the worst places an officer can end up. Back control defense for police is different from sport jiu-jitsu because the attacker's hooks sit right over your duty belt. Sgt. Fletch Fuller of Ready Up Tactical breaks down a template you can pressure test.
Why rear mount is worse in a weapons-based environment
In a weapons-based environment, your gun, Taser and tools sit on your hips. With hooks in, his legs wrap your waist over those tools, so access is very difficult. Meanwhile, the primary threat is a choke or strikes to the back of the head. This doesn't make it easy, but it gives you a template.
Rear naked choke defense: chin down and deny the anchor point
If you forget everything else, keep your chin down. He can wait all day for your chin to come up. Keep your hands up close and hand fight. The attacker wants an anchor point with his first hand: on your shoulder, hand-to-hand, or the full interlocked rear naked choke. Intercept that first hand early with two hands over the top, like a chin-up grip. Defend early, not after it's locked in.
Trap the arm: baseball bat grip to triceps lock
Pull the hand down from your chin and shift to a baseball bat grip, keeping your other shoulder up. Tuck down and bring that arm over to the other side. Don't stay long: he'll wiggle his elbow back past your shoulder and shorten the lever. Bring your outside hand to the back of his triceps and lock it down. Test it in training; it's stronger than the grip alone.
Remove a hook and turn in
With the choke blocked, start putting weight on him. Reach down, grab the inside of the heel, lift the hook and drop it over the top. Now you can start turning into him, stacking him, and either work toward weapon access or strike to diminish the threat. This kind of fight is a game of inches; you won't solve it with one move.
Training drill
Partner sits behind you with hooks in, light resistance; you work chin down and hand fighting only.
Add the first-hand intercept to baseball bat grip to triceps lock. Five reps each side.
Add the heel grab and turn. Wear duty gear or a training belt so you feel the access problem.
Increase resistance slowly; tap early.
Related on Centurion: Mount escape for police officers and my Police1 article Is Brazilian jiu-jitsu the optimal defensive tactic for law enforcement?
Frequently asked questions
Why is back control so dangerous for officers?
With hooks in, the attacker's legs wrap your waist over your duty belt, making your gun and other tools very hard to reach, while he can choke you or strike the back of your head.
What is the first priority when someone takes your back?
Keep your chin down. Any time your chin comes up, you invite the choke. Keep your hands up close and start hand fighting early.
What does 'deny the anchor point' mean?
The attacker tries to anchor a hand at your shoulder, hand-to-hand, or locked into a rear naked choke. Intercept that first hand early with two hands over the top before the choke is set.
How do you remove a hook?
Once the choking arm is trapped against you, reach down, grab the inside of the heel, lift it and drop it over the top. Then turn into him to create space for weapon access or strikes.
Related reading: Centurion training for agencies · The Officer's Top-10 Field Guide · Training a spouse or family member? Guardian Ludus civilian self-defense
About the author. Amir Khillah is a use-of-force and subject-control subject matter expert and a peace officer based in the Kalamazoo, Michigan area. He founded Centurion Modern Subject Control, previously taught subject control at a regional police academy, and has written for Police1. He holds a 2nd-degree BJJ black belt and a 6th-degree Combat Hapkido black belt, is a U.S. Army Combatives Level II Instructor and a certified firearms instructor, and a retired professional MMA fighter (TUF 12, Bellator), and holds an M.S. in Human Performance from Western Michigan University.
Want this taught to your officers or DT instructors? Email booking@centurionmsc.com.
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