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Position Cheat Sheets

Quick access to essential information you need during training. Perfect for checking between rounds or during drilling sessions.

🎯 Position Cheat Sheets​

Mount (Top)​

Control Points: Hips, chest, head Common Attacks: Americana, armbar, collar choke Maintain by: Low hips, wide base, following movement Full details →

Mount (Bottom)​

Escape Options: Bridge & roll, elbow escape Key Detail: Create frames first, explode second Common Mistake: Pushing with arms only Learn escapes →

Side Control (Top)​

Control Points: Crossface, hip control, knee position Common Attacks: Kimura, americana, transitions Maintain by: Shoulder pressure, blocking hips Full details → 🚧

Side Control (Bottom)​

Escape Options: Shrimp to guard, bridge to knees Key Detail: Get frames before moving Common Mistake: Turning away without frames Learn escapes →

Closed Guard (Top)​

Priority: Posture, grip break, pass Passing Options: Standing, pressure, leg drag Key Detail: Control hips before passing Guard passing →

Closed Guard (Bottom)​

Control Points: Head, posture, arm control Common Attacks: Armbar, triangle, sweep Key Detail: Break posture first Guard details → 🚧

📋 Common Submissions Quick Guide​

Rear Naked Choke (RNC) 🚧​

From: Back mount Setup: Seatbelt control → arm under chin Finish: Squeeze elbows together, not biceps Defense: Two hands on choking arm, turn into them Full guide →

Armbar 🚧​

From: Mount, guard, side control Setup: Isolate arm, control wrist Finish: Hips close to shoulder, heels down Defense: Stack immediately, hitchhiker escape Full guide →

Triangle 🚧​

From: Guard (closed or open) Setup: One arm in, one arm out Finish: Cut angle, pull head down Defense: Posture up, get arm out Full guide →

Kimura 🚧​

From: Side control, north-south, guard Setup: Figure-4 grip on wrist Finish: Elbow to ribs, rotate behind back Defense: Grab your belt/pants Full guide →

Americana 🚧​

From: Mount, side control Setup: Pin wrist, slide under elbow Finish: Paint brush motion to mat Defense: Turn elbow down, bridge Full guide →

Guillotine 🚧​

From: Standing, guard, turtle Setup: Arm around neck, hands locked Finish: Lift with grip, pull guard Defense: Posture up, step over to side Full guide →

Arm Triangle 🚧​

From: Mount, side control Setup: Trap arm against neck, connect hands Finish: Walk to squeeze position, squeeze shoulder to head Defense: Frame elbow, turn away early Full guide →

🔄 Essential Movements​

Shrimp (Hip Escape)​

Use for: Creating space, guard recovery Key points: Turn on side, push with foot, move hips away Drill: 10 reps each side before class

Bridge​

Use for: Mount escapes, reversals Key points: Drive through heels, thrust hips up Drill: Hold for 3 seconds at top

Technical Stand-Up​

Use for: Getting up safely Key points: Base, frame, stand in stages Drill: Practice from all bottom positions

Granby Roll​

Use for: Guard retention, inversions Key points: Shoulder roll, keep legs active Drill: Start slow, build coordination

⚠️ Safety Reminders​

Always Tap When:​

  • Joint is extended/twisted
  • Can't breathe (choke locked)
  • Feel sharp pain
  • Caught and know it's over

Tap Methods:​

  • Physical: Tap partner 2-3 times
  • Verbal: Say "TAP!" loudly
  • Mat tap: If hands trapped, tap mat with feet

Never:​

  • Crank submissions fast
  • Ignore a tap
  • Train through injuries
  • Roll without warming up

🎲 Position Sparring Setups​

Mount/Escape (3 min rounds)​

  • Top: Maintain for time
  • Bottom: Escape to guard or standing
  • Reset: When escape successful

Guard Pass/Retention (3 min rounds)​

  • Top: Pass to side control
  • Bottom: Maintain or sweep
  • Reset: After pass or sweep

Back Control (2 min rounds)​

  • Top: Maintain hooks and control
  • Bottom: Escape to guard or turtle
  • Reset: When hooks lost

Submission Hunt (5 min)​

  • Start: Specific position
  • Goal: Submissions only count
  • Reset: After tap or escape

📊 Competition Points (IBJJF)​

ActionPointsHold Time
Takedown2-
Sweep2-
Guard Pass33 seconds
Knee on Belly23 seconds
Mount43 seconds
Back Control43 seconds

Advantages: Near-scores, almost submissions Penalties: Stalling, fleeing, illegal grips

🔑 Key Concepts Review​

Frames​

What: Skeletal structure to maintain space When: Bottom of any position How: Forearm across neck, knee shield

Posture​

What: Proper spine alignment When: Inside guard (top) Why: Prevents attacks, enables passing

Base​

What: Stable platform, wide stance When: Top positions Why: Prevents sweeps and reversals

Connection​

What: Controlling contact points When: All positions Why: Control leads to dominance

🆘 Common Problems & Solutions​

"I gas out quickly"​

→ You're using too much strength → Focus on breathing → Use frames instead of muscles

"I can't finish submissions"​

→ Control position first → Isolate the limb completely → Use your whole body vs their limb

"I always get stuck in bottom"​

→ Create frames immediately → Don't accept bad positions → Drill escapes more than attacks

"I forget techniques when rolling"​

→ Normal! Focus on 1-2 moves only → Drill before rolling → Position before submission

📱 Quick Drill Timer​

Warm-up Circuit (1 min each):

  1. Shrimps
  2. Bridges
  3. Technical stand-ups
  4. Forward/backward rolls
  5. Break falls

Position Maintenance (30 sec each):

  1. Hold mount
  2. Hold side control
  3. Hold back control
  4. Hold closed guard
  5. Hold open guard

Movement Drill (2 min):

  • Flow between all positions
  • No resistance, just movement
  • Focus on smooth transitions

🎯 Next Steps​

  • Print this page for gym reference
  • Practice positions in Drills section 🚧
  • Deep dive into any position via sidebar

🔗 Related Resources​