Position

Position is simply a way to describe a specific starting situation. It is viewed from static and dynamic perspectives.

Static

This is a description of the position (Mount, Side Control, Closed Guard) and what goals each person has. The static description is simple and the primary way to identify what should and shouldn’t be done once the position is attained. After identifying the position, the goals are determined by role (offense, defense)

Dynamic

This is the launch pad into the control and defense sections. Based on your goal, this redirects you to a specific technique.

 

Control

Immobilization technique that is a prerequisite for attacks. This includes grips, positioning, and weight distribution, as well as establishing possible paths for your own goals while limiting the options of your opponent. Different forms of control lead to different attack and transition options.

Immobilization can take many forms, from full body immobilization to immobilization of just the part of the body you intend to attack.

Control does not necessarily imply permanent control. While certain grips are maintained from initial control through finishing an attack, temporary control is involved in blocking limbs while you create your own movement.

 

Defense

Defending against attacks and transitions. Defense is primarily a static goal position that you can use to transition from. It is directly opposed to control, although it doesn’t necessarily defeat control.

Defense is used whenever your opponent has positional dominance, or when there is no advantage and the position is considered neutral (standing, 50/50, some variations of half guard)

This also covers less than ideal defensive positions and gives you options to either enhance your defensive position, or to identify what transition options are available based on the specific defensive position.

 

Attack

Finishing techniques such as chokes and joint locks that are predicated on a given amount of control. Every attack should have the capability of rendering the opponent unconscious or maimed, although that is never the desired outcome in a sport context, and ideally rare even in a self-defense scenario.

 

Escapes

An escape is a defensive counter to an attack. The goal is either a return to a safe defense position, or a transition to a better position.

Escapes can be classified into dealing with three stages of attack:

Early:

This stage is usually dealing with prevention and returning to a proper defensive position.

Mid:

This stage has the initial elements of the attack in place, but it is not locked in and some adjustments may still need to be made to finish. These remaining elements are what is fought against.

Late:

This is characterized by a virtually locked in submission, with very few escape opportunities. It is fighting from a position of desperation and imminent submission.

 

Transitions

A transition is changing from one position to another position without a submission being involved (either from offense or defense). This encompasses sweeps, reversals, and advancing a position (either from superior or inferior)

Defense position characteristics:

Defense is a prerequisite to inferior position transitions. Once you have established a temporary safe space to work from, you can decrease your opponent’s positional control (e.g. bottom side to closed guard). Defensive transition techniques are focused on going from a known bad defensive position to a known good defensive position (high mount to low mount, arm outside the hip inside side control to arm inside hip, etc)

Offense position characteristics:

Control is a prerequisite to offense transitions. This includes sweeps, guard passing, and improving your location in positional hierarchy (e.g. side to mount, etc)