Turn your back control into a human backpack that opponents cannot shake.
The Bottom Line
You get a complete retention-first approach to back control with seat belt, hooks, and body triangle options. Maia shows how to counter common escapes and re-attach when you lose a hook. Store reviews show a 5.0 average from 28 reviews, indicating high buyer satisfaction (product page).
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: You lose the back
Skip if: You want gi grips
Tech focus: Back Retention, Body Triangle, Seat Belt, Hand Fighting, Turtle Attacks, Readjustments, Rear Naked Choke
Biggest takeaway: Retention before submission.
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What You'll Learn
This is Maia's cornerstone back-control course. You learn how to keep hooks, use body triangle, and re-attach when opponents start slipping out. Chapters cover belly-up control, turtle control, and systematic readjustments.
If your back control stalls or opponents wriggle free, this is the fix. It is concept-led, taught for no-gi, and maps cleanly onto gi with minor grip swaps.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Rear Naked Choke
- Body Triangle
- Seat Belt
- Hook Fighting
- Turtle Attacks
- Readjustments
- Maia Leao
- Chin Control
- Back Retention
- Hand Fighting
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 3 hours and 41 minutes
- Volumes: 4
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I improved my finish rate most by learning to re-attach the back before hunting the choke.
Why Demian Maia?
Demian Maia is a 5th-degree BJJ black belt, 2007 ADCC champion, and longtime UFC contender known for rear naked chokes. He challenged for UFC titles at middleweight and welterweight. His ground control led to one of the UFC's strongest submission resumes. Maia's teaching focuses on alignment, connection, and provoking reactions. BJJHeroes lists his major competitive accolades. Expect clean, positional logic instead of flashy moves.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Clear, methodical framework for maintaining and regaining the back.
- Body triangle and hook details shut down common escapes.
- Concepts-first teaching makes it easy to apply in sparring.
- Feels like a complete back maintenance playbook, not a move dump.
- Great balance of principles and specific sequences.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Not as long or detailed as Danaher to some buyers.
- Price can feel steep unless it is on a daily deal.
- Prefers the overhook side, which differs from straight-jacket systems.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- The Maia Backpack System Bundle – All three series together if you plan to study the whole system. (Price: $447.00, 11 vols)
- Maia Backpack System: Submissions From The Back – Pairs well once your retention improves and you need finish details. (Price: $149.00, 4 vols)
- Science of Jiu-Jitsu (1 & 2) – Classic Maia concepts; not on BJJ Fanatics, but often referenced.
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View The Maia Backpack System: Controlling The Back on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
