Positions
Know where you are
No-gi positions ranked from best to worst. Each one lists your goal, the moves that start there and the ways to get there.
- Back control (you're behind)The highest-value position. Seatbelt first, then hooks or a body triangle, then hunt the choke. Fight their hands…
- Mount (top)Stay low and heavy and widen your base on every bridge. Climb to high mount when they push. Attacks: armbar, arm…
- Side control (top)Crossface and far underhook, hips low, near knee blocking their hip. Kill their frames, then go to mount or attack the…
- Front headlock (you control the head)Their head is below yours. Hips back and heavy, control one arm, then choke (guillotine, d'arce) or circle behind.
- They're turtled (you're on top)Seatbelt before hooks. Stay chest-to-back so they can't sit out, roll, or stand.
- Leg entanglement (you're attacking)Control the knee line, keep your own heels hidden, then finish the foot. Know your gym's rules on heel hooks.
- StandingStance and hand fighting first. Snap down, shoot, or sit to guard when you choose to, not when they make you.
- Passing their open guard (top)Control legs or hips before you move. Pass to side control and pin before they recover a frame.
- In their closed guard (top)Posture first, hands on hips, elbows inside knees. Then stand or wedge to open the legs.
- Half guard (top)Crossface, flatten, kill their underhook, then free your leg.
- Seated / open guard (bottom)Sit up, frames out, feet active. Keep your guard, then sweep, go for the legs, or wrestle up.
- Butterfly guard (bottom)Sit up, chest close, one underhook. Pull them forward off balance, then sweep or arm drag to the back.
- Closed guard (bottom)Break their posture, control an arm or the head, angle off. Attack: hip bump, kimura, triangle, armbar.
- Half guard (bottom)On your side, never flat. Knee shield plus the underhook. Come up to the dogfight or recover full guard.
- Under side controlFrame with bones, don't push with your arms. Bridge, shrimp, knee in to recover guard, or underhook up to your knees.…
- In their front headlockHands on the choking wrist, head up, feet back under your hips. Then re-shoot or sit to guard.
- Turtle (bottom)Elbows to knees, no hooks allowed in. Don't stay in turtle: roll, sit out, or stand.
- Your leg is entangledHide the heel, pull your knee out past their hips, then stand or step out. Tap early in training.
- Under mountElbows tight, protect your neck. Trap and roll (upa) or elbow-knee escape to half guard. Never push with straight arms.
- Your back is takenHands on the choking arm first. Then slide your shoulders to the mat on the choking-arm side, clear the hook, turn in.