Twister

  • BJJ
  • Back Attacks
  • advanced
  • The truck
  • 3 steps

From the truck, control the trapped leg and crank the head toward it to twist and torque the spine. Also known as the Guillotine (wrestling) or the Spine lock. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 3 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.

Step by step

  1. 01

    Take the truck

    From the back, roll under and lock down one of their legs in the truck, hips controlled.

    Twister step 1 of 3: Take the truck
  2. 02

    Free the head

    Clear your trapped-side arm and cup their head, lining your shoulder up with their jaw.

    Twister step 2 of 3: Free the head
  3. 03

    Crank & twist

    Pull their head toward the trapped leg while the lockdown holds the hips, twisting the spine, apply slowly.

    Twister step 3 of 3: Crank & twist

Key details

  • The lockdown must pin the hips, the twist only works when the lower body cannot follow the head.
  • Drive their chin toward the trapped-side shoulder, not straight back.
  • Hips and head rotate in opposite directions; that counter-rotation is the lock.

Common mistakes

  • Losing the leg lockdown so they simply turn with the pressure.
  • Pulling the head straight back (a neck crank) instead of rotating it.
  • Applying explosively, spinal torque is dangerous; finish slow and controlled.

Related techniques

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