Headquarters Control Top

Headquarters Control Top is a dominant half guard passing position where the top player establishes a systematic control framework to neutralize the bottom player’s offensive capabilities while creating multiple passing pathways. This position represents a critical transition state between half guard engagement and successful guard passing, characterized by specific grips, weight distribution, and pressure application that systematically breaks down the bottom player’s defensive structure.

The position is distinguished by the top player’s ability to control the bottom player’s upper body through crossface or underhook control while simultaneously managing the trapped leg and preventing re-guard or sweep attempts. Headquarters represents a strategic checkpoint where the passer has established enough control to dictate the pace and direction of the exchange while maintaining the flexibility to choose from multiple high-percentage passing sequences based on the opponent’s reactions.

From a strategic perspective, Headquarters Control Top serves as both a destination and a launching point—it’s valuable as a stable control position where energy can be conserved and grips can be optimized, while simultaneously offering direct pathways to mount, side control, and back control through various passing mechanics. The position emphasizes the principle of systematic pressure application combined with intelligent grip management to create near-inevitable advancement to superior positions.

Position Definition

• Top player’s chest and shoulder pressure directed into opponent’s upper body, typically with crossface or underhook controlling the head and far shoulder while maintaining heavy forward pressure through the torso
• One of top player’s legs is trapped between opponent’s legs in half guard configuration, while the free leg maintains a strong base position with knee and foot grounded for stability and pressure generation
• Top player’s hips positioned forward and low, driving weight through the trapped leg side while maintaining enough mobility to shift weight and initiate passing sequences
• Bottom player on their back or side with limited mobility in upper body due to crossface or underhook pressure, one leg controlling top player’s trapped leg while attempting to maintain frame and prevent passing progression
• Top player’s grip configuration typically includes collar grip, underhook, crossface, or wrist control establishing dominance in the upper body battle while neutralizing bottom player’s offensive hooks and frames

Prerequisites

• Successful engagement with half guard where top player has achieved initial control
• Establishment of upper body control through crossface, underhook, or collar grip
• Forward hip position with weight distributed to create pressure on opponent
• Trapped leg positioned defensively to prevent sweeps and maintain base
• Bottom player’s offensive capabilities neutralized through systematic pressure

Key Offensive Principles

• Maintain constant forward pressure through chest and shoulder into opponent’s upper body to limit mobility and breathing space
• Control the head and far shoulder through crossface or underhook to prevent opponent from turning in or creating offensive angles
• Keep hips low and forward to maximize pressure on trapped leg side while maintaining base with free leg
• Use systematic grip fighting to establish and maintain dominant grips while denying opponent’s preferred grips
• Create angle and pressure variations to force opponent to react and expose passing opportunities
• Maintain heavy shoulder pressure while preserving mobility to transition between passing sequences
• Coordinate upper body control with lower body positioning to create comprehensive control framework

Available Attacks

Knee Slice Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

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

Headquarters Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

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

Smash Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 30%
• Intermediate: 50%
• Advanced: 65%

Long Step Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 25%
• Intermediate: 45%
• Advanced: 60%

Leg Drag Pass → Leg Drag Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 30%
• Intermediate: 50%
• Advanced: 65%

Kimura from Half Guard → Kimura Control

Success Rates:

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

Darce Choke → D’arce Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 15%
• Intermediate: 30%
• Advanced: 45%

Back Take Generic → Back Control

Success Rates:

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

Opponent Escapes

• Re-Guard from Headquarters → Half Guard (Opponent Success: 35%)
• Underhook Sweep from Half → Standing Position (Opponent Success: 25%)
• Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard (Opponent Success: 30%)
• Lockdown Sweeps → Lockdown (Opponent Success: 20%)
• Electric Chair Submission → Electric Chair (Opponent Success: 15%)

Escape Counters

• Pressure Pass → Side Control
  • Opponent attempts to create space or turn in for underhook
• Knee Cut Pass → Side Control
  • Opponent extends leg or loses knee shield connection
• Back Take Generic → Back Control
  • Opponent turns to their side exposing back
• Kimura from Half Guard → Kimura Control
  • Opponent reaches for underhook or extends arm
• Darce Choke → D’arce Control
  • Opponent drives into underhook creating space for arm insertion

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent maintains strong knee shield and frames with inside leg, preventing immediate passing pressure:

• Execute Smash Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
• Execute Long Step Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)

If opponent’s knee shield collapses or they extend their leg attempting to create distance:

• Execute Knee Slice Pass → Side Control (Probability: 75%)
• Execute Knee Cut Pass → Side Control (Probability: 70%)

If opponent turns toward you seeking underhook or exposing their back:

• Execute Back Take Generic → Back Control (Probability: 65%)
• Execute Darce Choke → D’arce Control (Probability: 50%)

If opponent extends their arm defending or framing, creating submission opportunity:

• Execute Kimura from Half Guard → Kimura Control (Probability: 55%)
• Execute Kimura → Kimura Control (Probability: 45%)

If opponent attempts to create distance or recover full guard position:

• Execute Leg Drag Pass → Leg Drag Control (Probability: 65%)
• Execute Pressure Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)

Common Offensive Mistakes

1. Sitting back on heels instead of maintaining forward hip pressure and chest-to-chest contact

• ❌ Consequence: Creates space for opponent to recover guard, insert knee shield, or attempt sweeps without pressure constraint
• ✅ Correction: Keep hips low and forward with chest pressure constant, driving weight through opponent’s upper body while maintaining heavy shoulder contact

2. Losing crossface or underhook control while attempting to pass, allowing opponent to turn in and create angles

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent regains offensive capability, can establish underhook or recover full guard, negating passing progress
• ✅ Correction: Maintain dominant upper body control throughout passing sequence, never sacrificing crossface or underhook until pass is completed

3. Positioning trapped leg too close to opponent, allowing easy sweep or off-balancing attempts

• ❌ Consequence: Vulnerable to basic half guard sweeps, old school sweeps, or lockdown-based attacks that exploit poor leg position
• ✅ Correction: Keep trapped leg positioned defensively with foot away from opponent’s hip, maintaining strong base and pressure distribution

4. Forcing the same passing sequence repeatedly without reading opponent’s reactions and adjusting strategy

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent anticipates and counters the single-dimension attack, leading to stalled position or reversal
• ✅ Correction: Use systematic approach with multiple passing options, flowing between techniques based on opponent’s defensive reactions

5. Rising too high during passing attempt, elevating center of gravity and reducing pressure effectiveness

• ❌ Consequence: Loss of control and pressure allows opponent to create space, recover guard, or execute sweeps
• ✅ Correction: Maintain low base throughout passing sequences, generating pressure through proper hip positioning rather than height

6. Neglecting to control opponent’s far arm or wrist, allowing them to post and create defensive frames

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent establishes strong frames that prevent passing progression and create opportunities for retention or sweeps
• ✅ Correction: Secure wrist control or arm isolation as part of control framework, neutralizing opponent’s ability to create defensive structures

7. Rushing through position without establishing complete control before initiating passing sequence

• ❌ Consequence: Incomplete control leads to scrambles, failed passes, or counterattacks from opponent’s remaining offensive tools
• ✅ Correction: Systematically establish all control points before advancing, ensuring upper body control, pressure, and grip dominance are complete

Training Drills for Attacks

Headquarters Control Establishment Drill

Partner starts in half guard bottom with defensive frames. Top player works to establish headquarters position with crossface or underhook, forward hip pressure, and proper base. Focus on systematic entry and control establishment. Reset and repeat from both sides.

Duration: 5 minutes per side

Pressure Maintenance Flow Drill

From established headquarters position, top player maintains constant pressure while bottom player attempts various recovery attempts (knee shield reinsertion, underhook battle, distance creation). Top player adjusts pressure and grips to maintain control without passing. Develops pressure sensitivity and control maintenance.

Duration: 3-minute rounds

Multi-Option Passing Sequence Drill

Top player in headquarters cycles through all major passing options (knee slice, smash pass, long step, leg drag) based on partner’s changing reactions. Bottom player provides realistic resistance and defensive frames. Emphasis on reading reactions and selecting appropriate passing sequence.

Duration: 5-minute rounds

Submission Threat Integration Drill

From headquarters position, top player alternates between passing attempts and submission setups (kimura, darce, guillotine). Bottom player defends both threats. Develops ability to use submission threats to create passing opportunities and vice versa.

Duration: 4-minute rounds

Positional Sparring from Headquarters

Start in headquarters position with clear objectives—top player works to pass, bottom player works to retain or sweep. Full resistance with emphasis on maintaining technical principles under pressure. Reset to headquarters after each successful advancement or retention.

Duration: 5-minute rounds with partner rotation

Optimal Submission Paths

Shortest path to submission

Headquarters Control Top → Kimura from Half Guard → Kimura Control → Kimura

High-percentage passing to submission path

Headquarters Control Top → Knee Slice Pass → Side Control → Kimura from Side Control → Kimura

Opportunistic choke path

Headquarters Control Top → Darce Choke

Back attack path

Headquarters Control Top → Back Take Generic → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke

Mount control path

Headquarters Control Top → Headquarters Pass → Side Control → Transition to Mount → Mount → Armbar from Mount

Pressure passing to mount submission

Headquarters Control Top → Smash Pass → Side Control → Transition to Mount → Mount → Americana from Mount → Americana

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill Level	Retention Rate	Advancement Probability	Submission Probability
Beginner	50%	40%	15%
Intermediate	65%	60%	25%
Advanced	80%	75%	35%

Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds for intermediate practitioners, longer for beginners establishing control, shorter for advanced practitioners with systematic approach

Related Positions and Techniques

• Half Guard - Opposing position—bottom player’s perspective of same engagement
• Knee Shield Half Guard - Common defensive structure opponent uses against headquarters control
• Lockdown - Alternative bottom player strategy from half guard requiring different control approach
• Deep Half Guard - Position opponent may transition to when escaping headquarters pressure
• Z-Guard - Variation of half guard bottom player may use with knee shield emphasis
• Side Control - Primary passing destination from headquarters control
• Leg Drag Control - Alternative passing position accessible from headquarters
• Pressure Pass - Technical concept—passing methodology fundamental to headquarters effectiveness
• Half Guard Pass - Transition technique—generic passing approach from headquarters position
• Kimura from Half Guard - Submission threat—primary submission opportunity from headquarters control
• Darce Choke - Submission threat—opportunistic submission when opponent turns in
• Underhook Control - Critical grip battle determining control hierarchy