Home / Reviews / Systematically Attacking The Back – In-Depth Review
Systematically Attacking The Back – In-Depth Review
Turn back takes into high-percentage strangles with precise hand-fighting and control rules.
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At a glance
The verdictSystematically Attacking The Back by Gordon Ryan
Gordon Ryan · BJJ FanaticsYou learn how to stay glued to the hips and shoulders while isolating arms for strangles or triangles. The double cross-wrist and mandible mechanics remove stubborn last-ditch defenses. Expect no-gi specifics; gi players will need to map grips. Biggest takeaway: hand fighting wins finishes.
Finish-focused grapplers who already reach the back and want to raise their strangle and triangle conversion rate.
You rarely get to the back, you want gi-specific grip details (this is no-gi), or you prefer Danaher’s theory-heavy approach for more context.
- Frequently called the best resource for positional control and back retention.
- Clear rules for hand fighting and finishing rear naked chokes.
- Made a big impact on several users’ back finishes early.
- Extensive detail matching what shows up in his ADCC runs.
- Some find the delivery long-winded without note-taking.
- A few prefer Danaher’s theory-heavy approach for context.
What is inside
What you’ll learn
A complete strangling and control series built around hand-fighting, shoulder crunch, double cross-wrist, and triangle transitions from the back. If you already reach the back, this raises your finish rate quickly.
Format and level
- Instructional style: System based, conceptual, footage breakdown
- Skill level: All levels
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 8 hours and 16 minutes
- Volumes: 8
- Released: 2020
Should you buy it?
Wait for a daily deal. I raised my finish rate by drilling only the first two strangle mechanics for a month before adding triangles.
Why Gordon Ryan?
Gordon’s back finishing percentage at elite level underlines this methodology. He emphasizes dilemmas: force one defense that opens another attack. The system rewards consistent hand-fighting habits and hip control.
Key techniques covered
- Double Cross Wrist
- Mandible Strangle
- Short Choke
- Rear Triangle
- Claw Grip
- Shoulder Crunch
- Seatbelt Management
- Trap Arm
- Wrist Walk
- Back Retention
Compare to
Back Attacks: Enter The System by John Danaher
More theory depth and drills; excellent complement or alternative. Price: $197.00, 2018.
Master The Move: The Back Crucifix by John Danaher
Great add-on for crucifix routes off failed RNCs. Price: $197.00.
Community feedback
Here is a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
- Frequently called the best resource for positional control and back retention.
- Clear rules for hand fighting and finishing rear naked chokes.
- Made a big impact on several users’ back finishes early.
- Extensive detail matching what shows up in his ADCC runs.
- Some find the delivery long-winded without note-taking.
- A few prefer Danaher’s theory-heavy approach for context.
Free preview lesson
Watch a sample before you buy. This breakdown shows the hand-fighting and seatbelt mechanics the system is built around.
Sources and references
Sources and references
Official listing: View Systematically Attacking The Back on BJJ Fanatics
Video breakdown: youtube.com/watch?v=BpGikzY3Yx4
Additional references: Reddit r/bjj thread, Reddit r/bjj comparison thread, Reddit r/bjj discussion, BJJHeroes, BJJMore.
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.