ARMBARS FROM THE BACK – PILLOW SIDE VS UNDERHOOK SIDE

Back control is one of the most dominant positions in Jiu-Jitsu, and while CHOKING is the classic go-to, armbars from the back are just as deadly — and sometimes even easier to catch. In this breakdown, we’ll cover two high-percentage armbars from the back, depending on which side you fall to.

🔹 Option 1: Armbar on the Underhook Side

This is the most common armbar setup from back control. It’s direct, and works well both in gi and no-gi.

Key details:

• From the seatbelt grip, fall toward your underhook side.
• Use your KIMURA control to isolate their arm, then release the head rotate your hips, and step over their head.
• Secure the arm and finish the submission with tight control.

Why it works:
It’s a natural transition from back control, especially when the choke isn’t available. Most people overlook the arm when defending the position, making it a great opportunity to attack.

🔹 Option 2: Armbar from the Pillow Side

This version attacks from the choking arm side — often called the "pillow side" because your opponent's head rests on your arm like a pillow.

Key details:

• Fall toward the choking arm side, staying tight to their upper body.
• As they focus on defending the choke, control the top arm and begin isolating it.
• Transition to S mount then step your leg over their head to finish the armbar with full extension and control.

Why it works:
Sometimes opponents block the neck well, making it difficult to secure the choke. In these situations, we can isolate the arm and transition to a strong armbar using good kimura control to dominate the position and finish the armbar.

💡 Key Tips for Both Variations:

• Focus on control before the finish — don’t rush the transition.
• Keep your legs active to maintain dominant positioning.
• Let your opponent’s defense guide your decision — choke or armbar.