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Collar Ties Position | BJJ Position Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 20259 min read

Collar Ties Position

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State Properties

  • State ID: S301
  • Point Value: 0 (Neutral standing position)
  • Position Type: Neutral with control advantage
  • Risk Level: Low
  • Energy Cost: Medium
  • Time Sustainability: Medium

State Description

Collar Ties Position is a fundamental standing clinch position where one or both practitioners control opponent’s head/neck area with hand(s) behind the head or on the back of the neck. This position provides significant control over opponent’s posture and movement while setting up various takedowns, throws, and positional transitions. The collar tie is borrowed from wrestling and has become integral to BJJ standup game.

Visual Description

You are standing upright with one or both hands positioned on the back of opponent’s head or neck, with your forearm(s) extending over their shoulder(s) and your palm(s) firmly pressing on their skull or upper neck area. Your elbow(s) point downward while maintaining connection, and you use this control to break their posture forward and downward. Your free hand (if using single collar tie) typically controls their wrist, sleeve, or prepares for secondary attacks. Your stance is balanced with knees slightly bent, one leg often forward, ready to execute techniques or defend against opponent’s attacks. This creates both offensive and defensive capability, allowing you to dictate head positioning while setting up throws, takedowns, or guard pulls.

Key Principles

  • Control opponent’s head to control their body and posture
  • Break posture forward and down using collar tie pressure
  • Combine head control with other grips for maximum effectiveness
  • Maintain balanced stance while applying collar tie pressure
  • Use collar tie to create angles and set up techniques
  • Be aware of guillotine vulnerability when posture is broken

Offensive Transitions

From this position, you can execute:

Takedowns

  • Snap Down → Front Headlock (Success Rate: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 75%)

    • Pull head down explosively while stepping back, creating front headlock opportunity

  • Ankle Pick → Top Position (Success Rate: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 70%)

    • Use collar tie to create reaction, attack exposed ankle when opponent posts

  • Arm Drag → Back Control (Success Rate: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%)

    • From collar tie, transition to arm drag to get behind opponent

Throws

  • Osoto Gari → Side Control (Success Rate: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 60%)

    • Use collar tie to control head while executing major outer reap

  • Knee Tap → Top Position (Success Rate: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%)

    • Pull head down with collar tie, attack near knee for takedown

Guard Pulls

Defensive Responses

When opponent has collar tie position against you:

Decision Tree

If opponent’s posture is upright and resisting:

  • Execute Snap Down → Front Headlock (Probability: 60%)
    • Reasoning: Upright posture creates opportunity for explosive snap down
  • Or Execute Ankle Pick → Top Position (Probability: 55%)
    • Reasoning: Upright stance exposes ankles when weight shifts

Else if opponent is driving forward with pressure:

  • Execute Osoto Gari → Side Control (Probability: 45%)
    • Reasoning: Forward pressure aids in throwing motion
  • Or Execute Arm Drag → Back Control (Probability: 50%)
    • Reasoning: Forward movement creates angle for arm drag

Else if opponent attempts to disengage or back away:

Else (balanced opponent / neutral):

  • Break posture and initiate Snap Down → Front Headlock (Probability: 50%)
    • Reasoning: Create opportunity through posture breaking
  • Or Execute Knee Tap → Top Position (Probability: 45%)
    • Reasoning: Test defensive reactions with low-risk attack

Expert Insights

John Danaher: “The collar tie is fundamentally about controlling the most important part of opponent’s body - their head. Where the head goes, the body follows. A strong collar tie breaks posture, limits vision, and creates angles for attacks. The key is understanding that the collar tie isn’t just about pulling down - it’s about controlling direction and creating dilemmas. When you pull their head one direction, their base becomes vulnerable in the opposite direction.”

Gordon Ryan: “In competition, I use collar ties primarily as a control position before transitioning to takedowns or guard pulls. The collar tie gives me the ability to dictate pace and positioning without committing heavily to any one technique. I can feel opponent’s reactions through the head control and choose the appropriate attack. Against wrestlers, the collar tie is particularly valuable because it gives you control in their domain - the standing position.”

Eddie Bravo: “The collar tie sets up the entire standing game for 10th Planet. From collar ties, we can hit snap downs to front headlock, which flows into guillotines, darces, and anacondas. Or we can pull guard directly into rubber guard positions where the collar tie naturally transitions to mission control or other breaking positions. The key is never releasing that head control - it’s your steering wheel for the entire exchange.”

Common Errors

Error: Pulling with arm only instead of using body weight

  • Consequence: Weak collar tie that opponent can easily resist or break, wasting energy without achieving control
  • Correction: Pull with entire body, using hips and core to generate force while arm simply maintains connection
  • Recognition: If opponent easily maintains posture despite collar tie, you’re relying too much on arm strength

Error: Standing too upright or too close to opponent

  • Consequence: Makes you vulnerable to throws and counters, reduces leverage for your own techniques
  • Correction: Maintain slight forward lean with balanced stance, keep appropriate distance for control without being too close
  • Recognition: If you feel off-balance or get thrown easily, adjust stance and distance

Error: Neglecting grip fighting with free hand

  • Consequence: Opponent can establish their own controls or counter-grips, reducing your offensive options
  • Correction: Use free hand actively for wrist control, sleeve control, or blocking opponent’s grips
  • Recognition: If opponent establishes strong grips despite your collar tie, improve secondary grip game

Error: Maintaining static collar tie without creating movement

  • Consequence: Stalemate position where neither practitioner can advance, wasted energy in prolonged clinch
  • Correction: Constantly create small movements, angles, and pressure changes to elicit reactions and create opportunities
  • Recognition: If matches frequently stall in collar tie position, work on dynamic movement and entries

Error: Exposing neck to guillotine when using collar tie

  • Consequence: Opponent can counter with guillotine choke, especially when you break their posture forward
  • Correction: Keep chin down and elbows tight, be aware of guillotine threats when using collar tie aggressively
  • Recognition: If you get caught in guillotines frequently from collar tie, improve defensive awareness

Training Drills

Drill 1: Collar Tie Grip Fighting

Partner stands neutral, you work to establish and maintain collar tie against progressive resistance (0% → 100%). Focus on grip placement, posture management, and maintaining control through various defensive reactions. Partner practices common escapes (posture up, whizzer, duck under) while you maintain. 3 minutes per round, 3-5 rounds. Success metric: maintain collar tie for 80%+ of time against 75% resistance.

Drill 2: Collar Tie to Technique Chain

Start from mutual collar tie position, flow between various techniques: snap down, ankle pick, knee tap, arm drag. Partner provides specific reactions (resist, drive forward, back away, circle) on command. Practice reading reactions and selecting appropriate technique. 5 minutes per round. Success metric: smooth transitions with appropriate technique selection based on opponent’s reaction.

Drill 3: Collar Tie Defense and Counter

Partner establishes collar tie, you practice defensive responses: posture up, whizzer, counter collar tie, duck under. Start at 50% resistance, progress to 100% as skill improves. Focus on timing and proper mechanics for each defense. 2 minute rounds, 5-7 rounds alternating roles. Success metric: successfully defend/counter collar tie 70%+ of attempts.

Position Metrics

  • Position Retention Rate: Beginner 50%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 80%
  • Advancement Probability: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 70%
  • Takedown Success: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 60%
  • Position Loss Probability: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 30%, Advanced 20%
  • Average Time in Position: 15-45 seconds

Optimal Submission Paths

Fastest path to control (takedown route): Collar Ties Position → Snap Down → Front Headlock → Guillotine Choke → Won by Submission Reasoning: Direct path from collar tie control to high-percentage submission

High-percentage path (systematic): Collar Ties Position → Snap Down → Front Headlock → Darce Choke → Won by Submission Reasoning: Systematic progression through control positions to submission

Guard pull path (positional): Collar Ties Position → Guard Pull → Closed Guard Bottom → Triangle Choke → Won by Submission Reasoning: Transition to guard-based attacks while maintaining head control

Graph View

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