Back Mount Attacks to the Scorpion Necktie in Mixed Martial Arts Personal Training

Mixed Martial Arts Personal Training

When training mixed martial arts personal training, mastering control from dominant positions is essential. One of the most powerful positions is the back mount, where you have the opponent’s back and can threaten with submissions like the rear choke. Recently, I worked with a couple of clients who had already developed solid skills from the turtle position. Our next step was to explore attacks from the back mount, focusing on transitioning from a rear choke threat to an arm-bar, and then moving into a more advanced submission called the scorpion choke, also known as the scorpion necktie.

This blog post breaks down the progression we followed, explains the mechanics of the scorpion necktie, and shares insights from our sparring sessions. If you are new to mixed martial arts personal training and want to understand how to develop effective back mount attacks, this post will give you practical guidance and clear examples.

Moving from Turtle Position to Back Mount Attacks

Starting from the turtle position, the goal is to take control and move into a dominant position. The back mount offers a strategic advantage because it limits your opponent’s ability to defend or counterattack effectively. During our sessions, we focused on:

• Securing hooks with the legs to maintain control

• Establishing a strong seatbelt grip around the opponent’s torso

• Threatening the rear naked choke to force defensive reactions

  
  

Once the rear choke threat was established, we practiced transitioning smoothly into an arm-bar. This transition is crucial because it keeps the opponent guessing and opens up multiple submission options. The arm-bar from the back mount isolates one arm, creating an opportunity to attack the joint while maintaining control over the opponent’s body.

Understanding the Scorpion Necktie Submission

The scorpion necktie is a unique submission that combines elements of an arm-bar and a neck choke. It starts with an arm-bar attempt, but instead of finishing the arm-bar, the attacker hooks their leg around the opponent’s neck or head. This leg position resembles a scorpion’s tail, which is where the submission gets its name.

Here’s how the scorpion necktie works:

• The attacker secures the isolated arm with a tight grip

• The leg curves around the opponent’s neck, applying pressure

• The hands lock in a necktie grip, controlling the opponent’s head and neck

• The combination of arm isolation and neck pressure creates a powerful submission threat

  
  

This submission requires precise control and timing. If executed correctly, it can catch an opponent off guard, especially if they are focused on defending the arm-bar or rear choke.

Breaking Down the Technique in Sparring

During our sparring sessions, we focused on breaking down the scorpion necktie step-by-step. We started from the back mount, moved into the arm-bar position, and then worked on securing the leg hook around the neck. Key points we emphasized included:

• Maintaining control of the opponent’s isolated arm to prevent escapes

• Positioning the leg carefully to avoid giving the opponent space to breathe or defend

• Using the necktie grip to control the head and increase submission pressure

• Recognizing when to transition between the rear choke, arm-bar, and scorpion necktie based on the opponent’s reactions

  
  

The defender’s objective was to escape the arm-bar and avoid getting caught in the necktie. This dynamic created realistic sparring scenarios where both attacker and defender had to think quickly and adapt.

Practical Tips for New Mixed Martial Arts Personal Training Clients

If you are new to mixed martial arts personal training and want to develop your back mount attacks, here are some practical tips based on our training experience:

• Focus on control first: Before attempting submissions, ensure you have solid hooks and a strong seatbelt grip.

• Threaten multiple submissions: Move fluidly between rear choke, arm-bar, and scorpion necktie to keep your opponent guessing.

• Pay attention to leg positioning: The leg hook around the neck is the defining feature of the scorpion necktie, so practice this carefully.

• Drill escapes as well as attacks: Understanding how to defend these submissions will improve your overall grappling skills.

• Use sparring to test timing and transitions: Live practice helps you recognize openings and improve your reaction speed.

  
  

What’s Next in Our Training Journey

Our next lesson will revisit necktie submissions, building on the foundation we established with the scorpion necktie. We will explore variations and setups that increase your submission options from different positions. This progression will help you become more versatile and confident in your mixed martial arts personal training.

If you are interested in learning these techniques, consider working with a qualified instructor who can guide you through the details and provide personalized feedback. Consistent practice and focused training will help you master these complex moves safely and effectively.

MMA Personal Training