SLX Back Take

What This Is

The SLX back take is the secondary option from Single Leg X when the stand-up sweep is being defended. When the opponent resists being forced to stand by driving their hips forward and staying low, their back rotates toward the bottom player. The bottom player inverts — rolls their hips under and behind the opponent — and takes the back during the opponent’s forward drive reaction.

The SLX back take and the SLX stand-up sweep form a complementary pair: the stand-up works when the opponent elevates to escape, the back take works when they drive in to resist. This two-threat structure from SLX is what makes the position high-percentage in no-gi. An opponent who knows only one option is coming can defend it; an opponent who must defend both simultaneously cannot.

The Invariable in Action

The inversion that creates the SLX back take is entirely hip-driven. The bottom player must rotate their hips under and behind the opponent — a movement that requires the hips to be free, elevated, and mobile. The inside hook in SLX keeps the opponent’s leg controlled while the hips rotate; without the hook, the opponent would simply step over. The hook is the anchor; the hips do the work.

Setup and Entry

Reaction to Forward Drive

From SLX, the opponent drives their hips forward and downward — attempting to pass over the bottom player or to settle their weight and negate the inside hook. This forward drive is the trigger for the back take. The opponent’s hips are now moving toward the bottom player, which brings their back closer.

Execution

The Inversion

As the opponent drives forward, the bottom player releases the outside leg from the hip and rotates their hips under and toward the opponent’s back. This is a corkscrewing hip motion — the bottom player’s hips travel toward where the opponent’s back is. The inside hook assists by keeping the near leg controlled as an anchor during the rotation.

Reaching the Seatbelt

As the rotation completes and the bottom player arrives behind the opponent, the top arm reaches over the near shoulder for the seatbelt. The bottom player is now behind the opponent with their hips behind the opponent’s hips. The seatbelt closes, hooks go in, and standard back control begins.

Common Errors

Inverting without maintaining the inside hook

If the inside hook is released before the rotation is complete, the opponent’s near leg is free and they can step away before the back take completes. Keep the inside hook active through the rotation until the seatbelt is established.

Rotating in the wrong direction

The inversion must go toward the opponent’s back — behind them. Rotating toward their front produces a position where the bottom player ends up in front of the opponent’s hips rather than behind them. The rotation direction is always toward the opponent’s back.

Drilling Notes

• Hip rotation direction: From SLX, drill the hip rotation toward the opponent’s back without completing the full back take. Partner holds still. Focus on the direction of rotation.
• Full sequence: From SLX, partner drives forward, bottom player inverts and takes seatbelt. Cooperative then with resistance at the drive phase.
• Stand-up vs. back take pair: Partner randomly stands up or drives in. Bottom player selects the appropriate option. Develops the SLX decision read.

Ability Level Guidance

SLX back take is rated Developing. It is best learned alongside the SLX stand-up sweep as part of the same two-option system — the back take without the stand-up threat loses much of its strategic value. The inversion mechanics can be practiced separately but should ultimately be integrated.

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