Stay Behind, Open Hands: One-Arm Choke vs Turn and Face
Mat mode
3:00
Tell the roomStay behind them, from elbow to elbow, and look for the choke. Avoid the choke and turn around to face them.
Reference video
Open video · BJJ Globetrotters in Action
Show full gameHide full gameRules · how to win
Notes (this phone)
SETUP
4-minute rounds, then maybe longer 6-minute rounds.
TOP PLAYER (ATTACKER, BEHIND)
POSITION
Behind your seated partner. Priit gives a few starts. Starting with some grip on their upper body is easier, and starting behind them with no grip is harder.
OBJECTIVE
Stay behind them, from elbow to elbow, and look for the choke.
CONSTRAINTS
You may grab anywhere, but you may not lock or touch your own hands. You may choke with one arm only. No hooks in front. Your feet can only go behind their legs, to stop them turning. One knee or one arm stays on the mat, so nobody stands up. The fight stays on as long as you're behind their elbows. Switch roles every time someone escapes or gets the choke. Tap and release on the choke. That's the elevated safety rule. The source doesn't say it.
WIN CONDITION
Finish with a one-arm choke.
BOTTOM PLAYER (DEFENDER)
POSITION
Seated, with your partner behind you.
OBJECTIVE
Avoid the choke and turn around to face them.
CONSTRAINTS
One knee or one arm stays on the mat.
WIN CONDITION
Turn to face your partner, whatever position you end up in, even mount bottom.
Priit Mihkelson, Spring Camp 2026: Staying behind and looking for finishes with Priit Mihkelson (free video on the BJJ Globetrotters in Action YouTube channel, 24 Jul 2026).
Problem
Behind your seated partner.
Setup
Behind your seated partner. Priit gives a few starts. Starting with some grip on their upper body is easier, and starting behind them with no grip is harder. Seated, with your partner behind you.
Score
Finish with a one-arm choke. Turn to face your partner, whatever position you end up in, even mount bottom.
Rules
- You may grab anywhere, but you may not lock or touch your own hands.
- You may choke with one arm only.
- No hooks in front.
- Your feet can only go behind their legs, to stop them turning.
- One knee or one arm stays on the mat, so nobody stands up.
- The fight stays on as long as you're behind their elbows.
- Switch roles every time someone escapes or gets the choke.
- Tap and release on the choke.
- That's the elevated safety rule.
- The source doesn't say it.
- One knee or one arm stays on the mat.
back
Wall card
Stay Behind, Open Hands: One-Arm Choke vs Turn and Face
Developing
TOP PLAYER (ATTACKER, BEHIND)
Position
Behind your seated partner. Priit gives a few starts. Starting with some grip on their upper body is easier, and starting behind them with no grip is harder.
Win condition
Finish with a one-arm choke.
Constraints
You may grab anywhere, but you may not lock or touch your own hands. You may choke with one arm only. No hooks in front. Your feet can only go behind their legs, to stop them turning. One knee or one arm stays on the mat, so nobody stands up. The fight stays on as long as you're behind their elbows. Switch roles every time someone escapes or gets the choke. Tap and release on the choke. That's the elevated safety rule. The source doesn't say it.
BOTTOM PLAYER (DEFENDER)
Position
Seated, with your partner behind you.
Win condition
Turn to face your partner, whatever position you end up in, even mount bottom.
Constraints
One knee or one arm stays on the mat.
Elevated safety. Confirm tap-and-release before the first rep. Stop at the tap. Do not run this if the room is not already serious about it.