Understanding the Four Basic Grappling Positions

Aug 10, 2024

Introduction to Grappling: Hierarchy of the Four Basic Positions

Overview

  • Presenter: Patrick Fulop, Effective Martial Art HQ
  • Topic: Introduction to grappling, focusing on the hierarchy of four basic positions, offensive and defensive strategies.
  • Prerequisite: Comfortable with white belt grappling basics.

The Four Main Positions

  1. Guard
  2. Side Control
  3. Full Mount
  4. Back Control

Guard

  • Definition: Legs in between you and opponent.
  • *Types of Guard:
    • Open Guard: Little to no contact, with possible grips.
    • Half Guard: Controlling one of the opponent's legs.
    • Closed Guard: Legs wrapped around the opponent's waist.
    • Turtle Position: More advanced, on knees controlling opponent's leg.
  • *Strategy:
    • Bottom Guard: Aim to escape and get up to feet using up kicks and technical stand up.
    • Top Guard: Use strikes to advantage and aim to pass the guard by controlling distance and angles.

Side Control

  • Definition: Full chest-to-chest connection once guard is passed.
  • *Variations:
    • Knee on Belly: Shin across hips.
    • North-South: Inverted chest connection.
    • Perpendicular: Common variation.
  • *Strategy:
    • Bottom Side Control: Aim to escape, create space, and regain guard.
    • Top Side Control: Stabilize position and launch offensive strikes or submissions.

Full Mount

  • Definition: Opponent straddles your chest, highly dominant position.
  • *Strategy:
    • Bottom Full Mount: Protect against strikes and submissions, aim to escape using bridging and shrimping.
    • Top Full Mount: Utilize gravity to launch powerful strikes and submissions.

Back Control

  • Definition: Opponent has chest to your back, controlling upper and lower body.
  • *Strategy:
    • Bottom Back Control: Escape by resetting the axis, freeing head, and facing opponent.
    • Top Back Control: Stabilize position, launch high-percentage submissions (e.g., rear naked choke) and strikes.

Key Takeaways

  • Hierarchy of Positions:
    • Worst Off: Bottom side control, bottom full mount, bottom back control.
    • Better Off: Top guard, top side control, top full mount, top back control.
  • Progressive Resistance: Important for skill acquisition in real situations.
  • Upcoming Content: Detailed tutorials for each position and principles of fighting across striking, wrestling, and grappling.

Conclusion

  • Call to Action: Subscribe to the channel for detailed tutorials and more content.
  • Encouragement: Keep practicing and engaging with the material.
  • Contact: Like, comment, and ask questions for more help.

Patrick Fulop Effective Martial Arts HQ, Point Claire, Westland, Montreal, Quebec, Canada