How to Enter the Matrix Position: An Entry Guide

Have you ever entered the matrix? We’re not talking about the blue or red pill but the effective position, which has gained popularity within Jiu-Jitsu.

More guard players are learning effective setups into the position to take the backs of their opponents. Here is our entry guide for how to enter the matrix position.

Check out the important details for getting into this position below.  ⬇️⬇️⬇️

What is the Matrix Position? 

The matrix is one of the most powerful attacks in modern Jiu-Jitsu, a method for taking an opponent’s back. Top European BJJ athletes Tommy Langaker and Espen Mathiesen are credited with developing most of the entries into the position.

This attack is primarily set up from different open guards and submission attempts. When your opponent defends, you have a direct path into the matrix and take your opponent’s back.

Enter the Matrix Position From the X Guard?

One of the most popular entries into the position is from the x guard. From the x guard, you’re already halfway into the matrix position.

Modified X Hook

When holding the X-guard, you will alter your leg positioning into a modified x hook. Your inside leg will hook on the inside of your opponent’s near leg, as your far leg has a butterfly hook.

Countering Your Opponent’s Backstep

Naturally, your opponent will react to your x-guard by stepping back to remove your butterfly hook. When they do this, they give you the space to enter into the matrix.

Your leg that had a butterfly hook will come around your opponent’s near leg and hook behind their knee. As you bring your far leg behind your opponent’s knee, your near leg extends to their far thigh.

Doing this will keep them from stepping forward and escaping the position.

Hand Positioning

Your hand positioning is as important as your leg positioning to keep your opponent in place. Once your opponent is held in place with your legs, you have to connect your grips. 

The hand hooking around your opponent’s leg should be grabbing material around their calf. Your other hand should be gripping at their belt or pants.

After you secure these grips, you can elbow escape out and take the back.

The Matrix Position From An Omoplata

If you like doing omoplatas, you can easily get into the matrix position from one, Here’s how to enter the position in a few easy steps.

Getting Into the Omoplata

There are many ways to get into the omoplata, so you just have to get to the position. One of the easiest setups is using a sleeve and cross-collar grip. Use these grips to pull your opponent down to get the omoplata.

Grips & Counter Defense

When you get to the omoplata, your opponent will immediately start postering and defending. That’s why you need to quickly underhook their leg and grab their pants at the calf.

From there, your opponent will look to posture up and free their arm. As they poster up, you’re going to counter the defense by letting go of the omo and hooking behind their knee.

This puts you right into the matrix position, and you can do the same back-take from the previous entry.

When Your Opponent Doesn’t Poster

If your opponent doesn’t posture to defend your omoplata, you can still get to your attacking position. Start by dropping your hooking leg low and connect your heel to your opponent’s armpit.

Use your heel to push them forward, giving you space to hop around to their back.

Collar & Sleeve Grip Setup

You can also get into the matrix position from a collar and sleeve grip. A common reaction that your opponent might have from these grips is to attempt a knee-cut pass. If they try a knee cut, you can go into a nice back-take setup.

The Setup

When your opponent is in the knee cut position, let go of your sleeve grip and grab at their knee. Use this grip along with your collar grip to pull your opponent across your body.

Typically, your opponent will try to defend by driving their knee inward into your midsection. As they do this, it gives you an easy opening to take their back.

Roll up on your shoulder as you bring your outside leg around your opponent’s leg and hook at the knee.

Jon Thomas has one of the best breakdowns of the matrix position, which you can watch in the link below.

Important Tips For Entering the Matrix

You can enter into the matrix position from a variety of different positions. Here are the most essential tips you must remember to enter into the position.

Leg Positioning 

Before entering into the position, you need to have the proper leg positioning on your opponent. Your inside leg must be hooking the inside of your opponent’s leg as you’re underhooking it.

Your outside leg can either be hooking your opponent’s far leg or based on the floor.

Grips 

The most important grip to set up the entry is the grip on your opponent’s calf from the underhook. This grip lets you keep them in place and set up your back take.

Your other grip can either be on your opponent’s near sleeve or collar, depending on the situation or setup.

Getting to the Back

All of the entries into the matrix position involve your outside leg hooking behind your opponent’s knee. If you have the flexibility, you can just throw your leg over and take the back. 

However, if you have difficulty getting the hook, you can roll up on your near shoulder to get the hook easier.