Headquarters Position is a fundamental guard passing control position where the top player establishes dominant leg control while maintaining strong base and upright posture. This position serves as the central hub of modern systematic guard passing, acting as a strategic decision point from which the passer selects optimal passing routes based on opponent reactions. The position creates exceptional control with relatively low risk, limiting the bottom player’s defensive options while maintaining multiple offensive pathways.
Headquarters offers a systematic approach to bypassing various guard configurations by controlling one of the opponent’s legs while establishing triangulated base structure. From this position, the passer can flow seamlessly between knee slice, long step, smash pass, and leg weave variations, making it one of the most versatile positions in contemporary guard passing systems. The position’s effectiveness stems from its ability to compress infinite guard passing complexity into finite if-then decision sequences.
This position represents a fundamental evolution in guard passing theory, moving away from commitment-heavy explosive passes toward measured, reactive approaches that maintain safety while threatening multiple directions simultaneously. The passer can probe defenses methodically, returning to headquarters between attempts rather than overcommitting to single directions, creating grinding systematic pressure that exhausts defensive options over time.
Position Definition
- One opponent leg controlled and pinned between top player’s legs with knee driven toward mat by shin or knee pressure, restricting hip mobility and preventing guard recovery through sustained downward pressure
- Supporting leg firmly posted wide on mat creating stable triangular base typically positioned 45-90 degrees from controlled leg, providing stability against sweeps while allowing dynamic weight transfer for passing attacks
- Upright posture maintained with spine aligned vertically and perpendicular to mat, head up with shoulders positioned over hips rather than leaning forward, creating structural integrity that prevents breakdown and maintains balance
- Control hand grips opponent’s knee, thigh, or pants at knee line while opposite hand controls lapel, collar, or establishes underhook, preventing frames while maintaining distance management and preventing opponent from establishing defensive structures
- Opponent’s hips flattened to mat or controlled through combination of leg pressure and upper body control, limiting mobility and ability to create hip movement necessary for guard retention or sweep attempts
Prerequisites
- Solid understanding of base mechanics and weight distribution principles in top positions
- Ability to establish and maintain knee-line control against resistance from various guard configurations
- Familiarity with fundamental guard passing concepts, timing, and systematic passing methodology
- Recognition of opponent’s defensive patterns, guard retention strategies, and common escape sequences
- Competence in grip fighting and hand positioning to establish initial control from standing or combat base
Key Principles
- Control opponent’s leg by driving knee firmly toward mat, eliminating their ability to create frames or recover guard structure through sustained pressure
- Establish strong posting base with opposite leg positioned wide and perpendicular to opponent’s body line, creating triangular structure resistant to sweeps
- Maintain upright posture with strong spine alignment and vertical orientation, preventing forward weight shift that creates rolling opportunities or compromises balance
- Create and manipulate passing angles by adjusting hip position and weight distribution while maintaining connection with trapped leg throughout transitions
- Control opponent’s hip mobility through strategic placement of trapped leg and systematic pressure application that limits their movement options
- Neutralize opponent’s frames and hooks by maintaining distance with posting hand while controlling with gripping hand, preventing them from creating space
- Systematically eliminate defensive options by reading reactions and selecting appropriate passing variations, using headquarters as central decision hub
Available Techniques and Transitions
Knee Slice Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Long Step Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Smash Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 65%
- Advanced: 80%
Leg Weave Pass → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Over-Under Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Underhook Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Crossface Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Transition to Mount → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent keeps leg straight and attempts to push knee line with foot on hip creating distance:
- Execute Long Step Pass → Side Control (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Leg Weave Pass → Mount (Probability: 60%)
If opponent turns toward trapped leg attempting to recover half guard or full guard structures:
- Execute Knee Slice Pass → Side Control (Probability: 75%)
- Execute Crossface Pass → Side Control (Probability: 65%)
If opponent creates strong frames with hands on shoulder and hip attempting to maintain distance:
- Execute Smash Pass → Side Control (Probability: 80%)
- Execute Pressure Pass → Side Control (Probability: 70%)
If opponent attempts deep half guard entry or commits to underhook sweep mechanics:
- Execute Back Step → Back Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Underhook Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
Optimal Paths from This Position
High-percentage kimura path from side control
Headquarters Position → Smash Pass → Side Control → Kimura from Side Control
Back attack path via counter to deep half
Headquarters Position → Back Step → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Mount submission sequence via knee slice
Headquarters Position → Knee Slice Pass → Side Control → Transition to Mount → Mount → Americana from Mount
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 70% | 45% | 15% |
| Intermediate | 85% | 65% | 30% |
| Advanced | 95% | 80% | 45% |
Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds before advancing to side control or mount, or returning to guard configurations
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
Headquarters position represents the central hub of systematic guard passing methodology where controlling the opponent’s knee-line creates the fundamental decision point in modern guard passing systems. The position’s power lies not in forcing any specific pass, but in creating a control structure that systematically limits the opponent’s defensive options while maintaining multiple offensive pathways simultaneously. By establishing headquarters, you compress the infinite complexity of guard passing into a finite series of if-then sequences that can be executed methodically. When the opponent extends their leg, you execute long step. When they turn toward you, you execute knee slice. When they create frames, you execute smash pass. This systematic reduction transforms guard passing from a chaotic scramble into a controlled technical progression with clear decision trees. The critical principle is maintaining connection with the trapped leg throughout all transitions - this connection is the thread that ties together your entire passing system and prevents the chaos of scrambles. The biomechanical efficiency stems from the triangulated base structure combined with the mechanical advantage created by pinning the opponent’s knee to the mat, which eliminates their primary tool for creating angles and recovering guard structures. Modern competitors who master headquarters can maintain this position with minimal energy expenditure while methodically breaking down even the most sophisticated guard retention systems.
Gordon Ryan
In competition, headquarters is my absolute favorite passing position because it puts maximum pressure on my opponent to make decisions while I stay relatively safe and maintain complete control of the passing sequence. When I get to headquarters, I know I’m passing - it’s just a matter of which direction based on how they defend and what mistakes they make under pressure. I don’t commit heavy pressure initially because I want to float just enough to make them think they can escape, which causes them to show me their defensive strategy and commit to specific movements. Once they commit to pushing my knee, turning into me, or trying to frame, I already know exactly which pass is going to work based on their defensive choice. The key is not telegraphing your intention early - if they can’t tell whether you’re going knee slice, long step, or smash pass, they can’t defend all three simultaneously and must guess. I’ll often feint one direction to get them overcommitted, then immediately switch to the now-open passing lane they’ve abandoned. Against high-level opponents, headquarters also gives me time to control their grips and establish my preferred grip configurations before committing to the pass, which dramatically increases my success rate in the actual passing sequence. I use headquarters especially against leg lockers because it keeps me safe from entries while I systematically break down their guard with minimal risk.
Eddie Bravo
From headquarters-type positions, I’m always looking for opportunities to create unconventional control angles that traditional systematic passers tend to ignore in their focus on the standard passes. While everyone is thinking about the knee slice or long step, I’m analyzing how to use that trapped leg as an anchor point to create rotational pressure that leads into twister side control or truck position entries that open up entirely different submission systems. If the opponent is defending the standard passes effectively, they’re typically not ready for you to suddenly change levels and attack their back or transition to unconventional leg positions and 10th Planet-specific controls. The 10th Planet approach is to use headquarters as a launching point for creative transitions rather than just a passing position with predetermined outcomes. For example, if they defend the knee slice by turning toward me, instead of forcing the pass through their defense I might transition to calf slicer control or even look for the truck entry if they give me their back during the defensive movement. Don’t get stuck thinking headquarters only leads to side control - it can lead to much more interesting and submission-rich positions if you’re willing to think outside the traditional systematic passing box. We also look for the electric chair and banana split from headquarters when the opponent tries to recover half guard, adding submission threats that create additional dilemmas beyond just the passing pressure.