Positional control is one of the core focus of BJJ and it plays an important role in determining the outcome of a match. In Jiu-Jitsu, the aim is not only to submit your opponent but also to dominate them positionally. Having strong positional control ensures that you dictate the pace of the match and simultaneously create attacking opportunities while forcing your opponent to stay on the defensive.
Unlike other martial arts that may prioritize striking or speed, BJJ is unique in its emphasis on positional dominance before submission. This concept revolves around the idea that if you control the position, you control the fight. For beginners and advanced practitioners alike, mastering positional control is crucial to becoming an effective grappler.
Today, we will discuss the value of positional control in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Positional Control Is Fundamental In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
In BJJ, the central idea is that technique and leverage can overcome strength and size. Positional control exemplifies this philosophy because it allows you to maintain dominance over an opponent, no matter how strong or fast they are. By gaining and maintaining a dominant position, you increase your chances of securing submissions and prevent your opponent from mounting an effective defense.
One of the reasons why positional control is so important is because it’s a key factor in determining energy expenditure. When you are in control, your opponent has to work harder to escape or reverse the position, meaning they expend more energy than you do. Over the course of a match, this can wear down an opponent and open up submission opportunities as their defenses weaken. Also, by maintaining control, you minimize the chances of your opponent attacking you with submissions, sweeps, or counters. This is why advanced BJJ practitioners often say, “Position before submission.” The better your control over your opponent, the safer you are and the greater your chances of success.
The Hierarchy Of Positional Control
In Jiu-Jitsu, positions are ranked in a hierarchy, with some positions providing more control and submission opportunities than others. The positional hierarchy typically includes mount, back control, side control, knee on belly, and guard. Gaining a more dominant position not only allows you to control your opponent but also affords you points in competition and opens up pathways to submissions.
Understanding this hierarchy allows practitioners to make strategic decisions on the mat. Positional control is not just about maintaining a static position, it’s about progression, advancing through the positional hierarchy to increase dominance and set up submissions.
Let’s dive into five specific examples of positional control in BJJ.
1) Mount
The mount is one of the most dominant positions in BJJ and is highly valued for its control. In this position, you sit on top of your opponent’s torso, with your knees pinning their sides and your weight centered on their chest or stomach. From the mount, your opponent is severely restricted in their movements. They have limited mobility, and escaping the position requires significant effort and technical skill.
The mount provides various opportunities for submission. Various attacks are available from this position, and controlling the mount allows you to strike if necessary in a self-defense or mixed martial arts context. The primary goal when achieving the mount is to keep your opponent flat on their back and neutralize their ability to bridge or escape. By mastering positional control from the mount, you increase your likelihood of submitting your opponent and securing a win.
2) Back Control
The back control is often considered the most dominant position in BJJ. In this position, you are behind your opponent, with your legs wrapped around their waist (hooks) and your arms controlling their upper body, typically in a seatbelt grip or double underhooks. From back control, your opponent is in a vulnerable position where they cannot effectively defend against submissions like the rear naked choke (also known as the RNC).
What makes the back control so powerful is that your opponent can’t see your attacks coming, and their mobility is extremely limited. The ability to control their hips and upper body gives you full control over the engagement. If your opponent tries to escape, you can follow their movements while still maintaining control.
3) Side Control
Side control is another critical position in BJJ, and mastering it can significantly improve your game. From side control, you are positioned perpendicular to your opponent with your chest or torso pressing down on their chest. This makes it difficult for your opponent to move, breathe, or escape, all while giving you control over their hips and upper body.
Side control provides various submission options, including variations of armlocks and the always reliable arm triangle. Additionally, it allows you to transition to other dominant positions, such as mount or knee on belly. The key to maintaining side control is to apply consistent pressure and block your opponent’s attempts to recover guard or bridge out of the position.
Knee on belly (or KOB) is a transitional position that provides excellent control while keeping you mobile and ready to advance to other dominant positions. In this position, you place one knee on your opponent’s torso while maintaining balance with your other leg. This position creates intense pressure on your opponent’s diaphragm, making it difficult for them to breathe or move freely.
The advantage of knee on belly is that it allows you to apply pressure while maintaining mobility. If your opponent tries to escape, you can easily transition to mount or side control, or even go for a submission such as a baseball choke or an armbar. The knee on belly position also earns points in competitions, making it a helpful tool for both control and scoring.
5) Full Guard
While the closed/full guard is considered a defensive position, it is still a form of positional control that should not be underestimated. From the guard, regardless of what you prefer to employ, you use your legs to control your opponent’s posture and limit their ability to pass or strike. A skilled guard player can keep an opponent trapped in their guard while setting up sweeps, submissions, or transitions to more dominant positions.
The key to effective guard control is to manage distance and create angles. By controlling your opponent’s hips and preventing them from advancing, you keep yourself safe while working toward your next move. The guard is an essential position for both defense and offense and maintaining control here is vital for setting up attacks.
Conclusion
Positional control is the core foundation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Without it, executing submissions or defending against attacks becomes extremely difficult. Like all techniques in BJJ, mastering positional control takes time and practice, but it is one of the most critical skills in the art in all respects. By focusing on controlling your opponent and advancing through the positional hierarchy, you’ll be equipped to dominate on the mats and elevate your grappling game.
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