Back take from half guard (trilemma prong 2)

Source: Volume 02, §4.2 — ▶Watch at 00:17:25   (full transcript)

---

Purpose

When partner takes whizzer out and posts on floor, making sweep difficult — switch to back take.

Entry condition

Half guard. Partner removes whizzer and posts hand on floor.

Mechanics

When we're here and we've established half guard:

• We have our lower-leg shift in place. To do this, we back-heel, bringing hips forward, scissoring the legs.
• This time we go to tilt our partner over and Chris takes his whizzer out and plants it on the floor. That makes it very difficult for us to finish the sweep.

Switch: as he goes to recover:

1. Cut the left elbow back.
2. Turn to your two knees.
3. If the hands stay on the floor, simply pop your head out and take your partner's back.

You went from front headlock → half guard → on your partner's back.

Once you're on the back: Take your two hands and put them on your partner's thighs. Even if he's "back up" and you stay on your elbows, when Chris goes to move around, he's carrying the bulk of your weight. You can keep your chest on his shoulders. From here, look to attack from your own top turtle position, having ducked out and gone to the back.

Key details

1. Cut left elbow back — this is the elbow cut, same foundational skill from Volume 01.
2. Turn to two knees — you're transitioning from being on your side in half guard to being on your knees behind partner.
3. Pop head out, take partner's back — once hands are on the floor, the head can come free.
4. Hands on partner's thighs initially — don't rush to hooks or seat-belt. Start with hands on thighs.
5. Keep chest on partner's shoulders — they carry your weight. Even if partner is "back up," when they go to move around, the bulk of your weight is on them.

Common failures

• Trying to finish the sweep when partner has posted. If the whizzer is gone and the hand is on the floor, the sweep is dead. Switch to the back take instead of forcing it.
• Rushing to hooks or seat-belt grip. Start with hands on partner's thighs and chest on their shoulders. The position is strong even without hooks because partner carries your weight.
• Not cutting the elbow back far enough before turning to knees. The elbow cut creates the space you need to turn. Without it, you get stuck on your side.

Connections

• From: Half guard (bottom) → To: Back control
• Principles: Inside position
• Skills: Elbow cut
• Part of: Trilemma system
• When partner keeps whizzer in: switch to Scoop sweep (prong 1)
• When partner pulls back and reapplies whizzer: switch to Knee slide takedown (prong 3)