Old School Bottom

Jan 23, 202610 min read

Old School Bottom Position is a classical half guard bottom position made famous by Eddie Bravo and the 10th Planet system. From half guard bottom with lockdown control, the practitioner secures a deep underhook on one side while controlling the opponent’s head with the opposite arm, creating a powerful sweeping position. This position is characterized by the bottom player’s ability to break the opponent’s posture down while maintaining lockdown control of their trapped leg, setting up the signature Old School sweep to mount or back control.

The position represents a fundamental component of the 10th Planet half guard system, offering both offensive sweeping opportunities and defensive frames against passing attempts. The head and arm control combined with lockdown creates a dilemma for the top player: defending the sweep requires posture, but maintaining posture breaks the lockdown control. This position is particularly effective in no-gi grappling where the lockdown’s leg entanglement provides superior control compared to traditional gi grips.

Old School Bottom is considered a transitional attacking position rather than a static control position. Practitioners typically enter this position with the specific intent of executing the Old School sweep, using the lockdown to prevent the opponent from establishing a strong base while the underhook and head control create the sweeping lever. Success depends on timing the sweep during the opponent’s weight shift and maintaining tight connection throughout the rotation.

Position Definition

  • Bottom player on their side with one leg trapped between opponent’s legs in half guard configuration, with lockdown controlling the trapped leg by hooking opponent’s ankle with bottom foot and extending the leg
  • Deep underhook established on one side with bottom player’s arm threaded under opponent’s armpit and hand gripping high on their back or shoulder, creating sweeping leverage
  • Head control established with opposite arm wrapping around opponent’s head, with hand gripping behind the neck or back of the head, pulling opponent’s posture down and forward
  • Opponent in top half guard position with one leg trapped, weight distributed forward onto hands and knees, with head and posture broken down toward bottom player’s chest
  • Bottom player’s hips angled toward the underhook side, creating the geometric alignment necessary for the sweeping motion with shoulder positioned under opponent’s center of gravity

Prerequisites

  • Established half guard bottom position with one opponent’s leg trapped between both of bottom player’s legs
  • Lockdown control secured on trapped leg with bottom foot hooking opponent’s ankle and top knee driving into back of their thigh
  • Successful underhook established on one side with arm threaded deep under opponent’s armpit
  • Opponent’s posture broken down enough to establish head control with opposite arm
  • Bottom player positioned on their side rather than flat on back, creating the angle necessary for sweeping leverage

Key Defensive Principles

  • Maintain deep underhook with elbow tight to ribs and hand gripping high on opponent’s back to maximize sweeping leverage
  • Control opponent’s head by pulling it down and across toward the underhook side, breaking their posture and preventing defensive posting
  • Keep lockdown tight by actively extending the controlling leg while hooking ankle, preventing opponent from extracting their leg or establishing stable base
  • Position shoulder under opponent’s center of gravity on the underhook side, creating the fulcrum point for the sweeping rotation
  • Time the sweep during opponent’s forward weight shift or when they attempt to clear the lockdown, capitalizing on their compromised base
  • Maintain tight connection between body and opponent throughout the sweep, preventing space that would allow them to recover base or posture
  • Drive the sweep in a circular motion from side to mount, using the underhook and head control to guide opponent over while hips drive forward and up

Available Escapes

Old School Sweep → Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 40%
  • Intermediate: 60%
  • Advanced: 75%

Old School Sweep → Back Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 55%
  • Advanced: 70%

Lockdown Sweeps → Half Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 60%

Electric Chair Submission → Electric Chair

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 20%
  • Intermediate: 35%
  • Advanced: 50%

Underhook Sweep from Half → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 65%

Half Guard to Back Take → Back Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 40%
  • Advanced: 55%

Opponent Counters

Counter-Attacks

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent maintains low posture and drives weight forward with heavy shoulder pressure:

If opponent extends their trapped leg to clear the lockdown while maintaining forward pressure:

If opponent posts hand on mat or brings weight back to defend the sweep:

If opponent turns away from underhook or attempts to remove head control:

Common Defensive Mistakes

1. Shallow underhook with elbow away from body

  • ❌ Consequence: Insufficient sweeping leverage allows opponent to base out and prevent the rotation, resulting in stalled position or loss of underhook
  • ✅ Correction: Drive underhook deep with elbow tight to ribs, hand gripping high on opponent’s back or over shoulder, creating maximum leverage for the sweep

2. Releasing or loosening head control during sweep attempt

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent regains posture and posts hand to prevent sweep, often resulting in loss of position or successful pass
  • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant pressure pulling head down and across throughout entire sweeping motion, only releasing after achieving top position

3. Weak or absent lockdown allowing opponent’s leg to remain mobile

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent establishes stable base with free leg movement, making sweep nearly impossible and increasing vulnerability to passing
  • ✅ Correction: Actively extend controlling leg while hooking ankle, creating constant tension that immobilizes trapped leg and prevents base establishment

4. Attempting sweep while flat on back rather than on side

  • ❌ Consequence: Geometric disadvantage prevents effective leverage, resulting in failed sweep and exposure to smash passing attacks
  • ✅ Correction: Turn onto side toward underhook, positioning shoulder under opponent’s center of gravity to create proper sweeping angle and leverage

5. Sweeping in linear direction rather than circular rotation

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent can step over or post to defend, often resulting in scramble or loss of control during transition
  • ✅ Correction: Execute sweep in circular arc from side to mount, using underhook and head control to guide opponent’s rotation while hips drive up and forward

6. Creating space between bodies during sweep execution

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent escapes rotation or recovers guard, negating sweeping momentum and often resulting in neutral or disadvantageous position
  • ✅ Correction: Maintain chest-to-chest connection throughout sweep, using underhook and head control to keep opponent’s weight on your body during rotation

7. Timing sweep when opponent has established strong base and posture

  • ❌ Consequence: Insufficient mechanical advantage to overcome opponent’s structural stability, resulting in wasted energy and lost opportunity
  • ✅ Correction: Wait for opponent’s forward weight shift or lockdown clearing attempt, capitalizing on compromised base for high-percentage sweep execution

Training Drills for Defense

Old School Entry and Control Drill

Partner starts in top half guard with neutral posture. Bottom player establishes lockdown, secures underhook, and controls head in proper Old School position. Hold position for 30 seconds maintaining all controls while partner applies moderate resistance. Focus on deep underhook depth, head control tightness, and lockdown extension. Repeat 5 times per side.

Duration: 3 rounds of 5 minutes

Old School Sweep Repetition Drill

Partner starts in top half guard with broken posture. Bottom player has full Old School position established. Execute Old School sweep in slow motion, focusing on circular sweeping path, maintaining connection, and landing in mount or back control. Partner provides 25% resistance. Perform 10 repetitions per side, gradually increasing speed. Emphasize shoulder positioning under opponent’s center of gravity and hip drive during sweep.

Duration: 2 rounds of 6 minutes

Old School Sweep Timing Drill

Partner starts in top half guard alternating between forward pressure and backward weight shift. Bottom player must recognize optimal timing window (forward weight shift) and execute Old School sweep. Partner provides 50% resistance. Develop recognition of opponent’s base vulnerabilities and capitalize on weight distribution changes. Perform 15 sweep attempts per side, focusing on timing rather than force.

Duration: 3 rounds of 5 minutes

Old School to Electric Chair Flow Drill

Start in Old School position. Partner attempts to clear lockdown by extending trapped leg. Bottom player transitions seamlessly to Electric Chair position, maintaining underhook and head control while rolling under to attack the leg. Flow between Old School sweep attempt and Electric Chair transition based on partner’s defensive reactions. Perform 8-10 flow cycles per side.

Duration: 2 rounds of 5 minutes

Old School Positional Sparring

Start in Old School position with full controls established. Bottom player attempts to execute Old School sweep or transition to other attacks (Electric Chair, back take). Top player attempts to pass or break controls. Reset to Old School position after successful sweep, pass, or submission. Top player provides progressive resistance (50% → 75% → 100%). Focus on maintaining controls under pressure and recognizing high-percentage attack opportunities.

Duration: 5 rounds of 4 minutes

Escape and Survival Paths

Shortest path to submission

Old School Bottom → Electric Chair → Electric Chair Submission

High-percentage sweep to mount submission path

Old School Bottom → Old School Sweep → Mount → Americana from Mount

High-percentage sweep to back submission path

Old School Bottom → Old School Sweep → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke

Lockdown control to leg attack path

Old School Bottom → Electric Chair → Electric Chair Submission

Underhook to kimura path

Old School Bottom → Underhook Sweep from Half → Side Control → Kimura from Side Control

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner50%40%15%
Intermediate65%60%30%
Advanced80%75%45%

Average Time in Position: 20-45 seconds

  • Old School - Sibling variant - opponent’s perspective and defensive considerations
  • Lockdown - Prerequisite position - foundational control before establishing Old School setup
  • Half Guard - Parent category - broader positional family
  • Electric Chair - Common transition - natural follow-up when opponent defends sweep
  • Deep Half Guard - Alternative transition - option when opponent smashes forward
  • Mount - Primary target position - most common sweep destination
  • Back Control - Alternative target position - second sweep destination option
  • Old School Sweep - Primary technique - signature attack from this position
  • 10th Planet Half Guard Bottom System - System context - part of comprehensive Eddie Bravo half guard system
  • Lockdown to Electric Chair System - System integration - tactical framework connecting related positions
  • Underhook Control - Similar position - shares underhook control theme with different leg configuration
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