Inverted Guard Top

From the top perspective, facing an opponent in Inverted Guard requires strategic adjustments to traditional passing approaches. The inverted position creates unconventional angles that make standard pressure passing and distance passing less effective, requiring specific techniques and timing to pass successfully. The top player must recognize the transitional nature of inverted guard and prevent the bottom player from achieving their primary objectives: berimbolo entries, back takes, and leg entanglement positions. Success from the top position involves controlling the opponent’s rotation, preventing their hips from achieving optimal angles, and capitalizing on opportunities to apply crushing pressure through smash passes and stack passes. The top player must maintain awareness of the bottom player’s grip controls and foot placement, as these determine the available transitions from inverted guard. Modern guard passing systems have developed specific responses to inverted guard, including headquarters positioning, leg weave passes, and strategic pressure application that forces the inverted player to abandon the position. The key strategic principle is recognizing when the opponent begins inverting and immediately attacking with appropriate passing techniques rather than allowing them to establish optimal inverted positioning. Top players must also protect against the berimbolo sequence by controlling distance, maintaining proper base, and preventing the opponent from establishing the grips necessary for back take entries. Training emphasis should focus on recognizing inversion entries early and responding with immediate passing pressure that forces defensive reactions.

Position Definition

• Top player maintains standing or combat base position with weight distributed to prevent being pulled into berimbolo or back take sequences by the inverted opponent
• Top player controls distance through strategic grips on opponent’s pants, legs, or belt to prevent optimal inversion angles and regulate engagement distance
• Top player maintains awareness of opponent’s rotation and hip movement to anticipate and counter berimbolo entries, back takes, and leg entanglement attempts
• Top player establishes passing grips and pressure angles that force the inverted opponent to abandon the position or expose themselves to stack passes and smash passes

Prerequisites

• Understanding of berimbolo mechanics and common back take sequences from inverted guard to recognize threats early
• Developed pressure passing skills with ability to apply controlled weight without overcommitting forward
• Recognition of grip controls that enable inversion and ability to break or prevent these grips
• Knowledge of stack passing mechanics and appropriate timing for application against inverted opponents
• Awareness of leg entanglement entries from inverted guard and defensive positioning to prevent these transitions

Key Offensive Principles

• Recognize inversion attempts early and immediately attack with appropriate passing pressure to prevent optimal positioning
• Control opponent’s rotation and hip movement through strategic grips and weight distribution
• Maintain proper base and distance to prevent being pulled into berimbolo or back take sequences
• Apply crushing pressure through smash passes and stack passes when opponent commits to inverted position
• Protect against leg entanglement entries by controlling distance and maintaining proper leg positioning
• Force opponent to abandon inverted position through sustained pressure rather than allowing them to maintain mobility
• Capitalize on transitional moments when opponent moves from inverted guard to other positions

Available Attacks

Smash Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 30%
• Intermediate: 50%
• Advanced: 70%

Stack Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 35%
• Intermediate: 55%
• Advanced: 75%

Pressure Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 30%
• Intermediate: 50%
• Advanced: 70%

Leg Weave Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 28%
• Intermediate: 48%
• Advanced: 68%

Knee Slice Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 32%
• Intermediate: 52%
• Advanced: 72%

Headquarters Pass → Headquarters Position

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 35%
• Intermediate: 55%
• Advanced: 75%

Knee on Belly → Knee on Belly

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 25%
• Intermediate: 45%
• Advanced: 65%

Mount Control → Mount

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 20%
• Intermediate: 40%
• Advanced: 60%

Opponent Escapes

• Berimbolo Entry → Back Control (Opponent Success: 45%)
• Rolling Back Take → Back Control (Opponent Success: 40%)
• Single Leg X Entry → Single Leg X-Guard (Opponent Success: 50%)
• X-Guard Sweep → X-Guard (Opponent Success: 42%)
• Granby Roll → Closed Guard (Opponent Success: 55%)
• Technical Stand-up → Standing Guard (Opponent Success: 60%)

Escape Counters

• Stack Pass → Side Control
  • Opponent inverts with hips elevated and attempts to rotate for berimbolo
• Smash Pass → Side Control
  • Opponent maintains inverted position with legs extended upward creating passing opportunity
• Headquarters Pass → Headquarters Position
  • Opponent attempts to enter single leg X or X-guard from inverted position
• Pressure Pass → Side Control
  • Opponent’s hips flatten or rotation slows allowing application of crushing pressure
• Leg Weave Pass → Side Control
  • Opponent establishes hook controls that can be controlled through leg weaving mechanics

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent inverts with hips elevated and begins rotating for berimbolo entry:

• Execute Stack Pass → Side Control (Probability: 65%)
• Execute Pressure Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)

Else if opponent maintains inverted position with legs extended upward creating static target:

• Execute Smash Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
• Execute Knee Slice Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)

Else if opponent attempts to enter single leg X or X-guard from inverted position:

• Execute Headquarters Pass → Headquarters Position (Probability: 70%)
• Execute Leg Weave Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)

Else if opponent’s hips flatten or rotation slows indicating loss of mobility:

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

Else if opponent attempts to recover guard through granby roll or technical standup:

• Execute Knee Slice Pass → Side Control (Probability: 58%)
• Execute Headquarters Pass → Headquarters Position (Probability: 62%)

Common Offensive Mistakes

1. Overcommitting weight forward into berimbolo sequence without proper base

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent easily completes berimbolo entry and achieves back control with minimal resistance
• ✅ Correction: Maintain proper base with legs wide and weight distributed, controlling distance rather than driving forward without strategic purpose

2. Allowing opponent to establish optimal inversion angles without immediate pressure

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent gains full mobility and offensive options from inverted guard, making passing significantly more difficult
• ✅ Correction: Recognize inversion attempts early and immediately apply passing pressure to prevent optimal positioning and force defensive reactions

3. Poor grip control allowing opponent to establish sleeve, collar, or pants grips that facilitate inversion

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent controls distance and creates angles necessary for successful berimbolo and back take sequences
• ✅ Correction: Establish dominant grips first and break opponent’s grip controls before they can achieve optimal inverted positioning

4. Hesitating during stack pass application allowing opponent to escape or counter

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent uses granby roll or rotation to escape stack pressure and recover guard position
• ✅ Correction: Commit fully to stack pass once initiated, maintaining continuous pressure and controlling opponent’s rotation throughout the pass

5. Failing to protect legs from entanglement entries while focusing on passing

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent secures single leg X-guard, X-guard, or ashi garami positions leading to leg attacks
• ✅ Correction: Maintain awareness of leg positioning throughout passing sequences, keeping feet away from opponent’s hip line and hook controls

6. Using excessive energy to pass without strategic approach or timing

• ❌ Consequence: Energy depletion while opponent maintains position with minimal effort through mobility and rotation
• ✅ Correction: Apply strategic pressure at optimal moments when opponent commits to transitions, using timing and technique rather than pure strength

7. Allowing opponent to maintain inverted position indefinitely without forcing action

• ❌ Consequence: Stalemate situation where opponent conserves energy while you expend effort attempting to pass
• ✅ Correction: Force opponent to abandon inverted position through sustained pressure, grip controls, and strategic positioning that eliminates their transitional options

Training Drills for Attacks

Stack pass drilling against inverted guard with progressive resistance

Partner establishes inverted guard while you practice stack passing mechanics with graduated resistance. Focus on proper pressure angles, controlling opponent’s rotation, and maintaining position throughout the pass. Start with cooperative drilling and increase resistance as mechanics improve.

Duration: 8-12 minutes per session

Berimbolo defense and counter-passing sequences

Partner attempts berimbolo entries from inverted guard while you practice defensive positioning and immediate counter-passing. Emphasis on recognizing berimbolo attempts early and responding with appropriate base adjustments and passing techniques before opponent achieves back control.

Duration: 10-15 minutes per session

Pressure passing against dynamic inverted guard retention

Partner uses inverted guard with full mobility and transitional intent while you practice applying strategic pressure to force position abandonment or create passing opportunities. Focus on timing pressure application when opponent commits to transitions.

Duration: 10-15 minutes per session

Grip fighting and control establishment against inversion entries

Partner attempts to establish grips and enter inverted guard from various open guard positions while you practice preventing these entries through dominant grip controls and strategic positioning. Develop ability to recognize and shut down inversion attempts before optimal positioning is achieved.

Duration: 8-12 minutes per session

Leg entanglement defense while passing inverted guard

Partner actively attempts single leg X, X-guard, and ashi garami entries from inverted guard while you practice passing while maintaining leg safety. Focus on positioning feet away from opponent’s hip line while maintaining passing pressure and forward movement.

Duration: 10-15 minutes per session

Optimal Submission Paths

Pressure pass to submission

Inverted Guard Top → Smash Pass → Side Control → Kimura from Side Control

Stack pass to dominant control

Inverted Guard Top → Stack Pass → Side Control → Mount → Armbar from Mount

Headquarters to leg attack

Inverted Guard Top → Headquarters Pass → Headquarters Position → Straight Ankle Lock

Mount consolidation path

Inverted Guard Top → Pressure Pass → Side Control → Transition to Mount → Mount → Rear Naked Choke

Knee slice to submission

Inverted Guard Top → Knee Slice Pass → Side Control → North-South → North-South Choke

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill Level	Retention Rate	Advancement Probability	Submission Probability
Beginner	40%	35%	20%
Intermediate	60%	55%	35%
Advanced	80%	75%	55%

Average Time in Position: 10-30 seconds to pass or opponent transitions out

Related Positions and Techniques

• Side Control - Primary target position after successful passing from inverted guard top
• Headquarters Position - Effective control position against inverted guard and leg entanglement attempts
• Stack Pass - Primary passing technique against inverted guard with high success rate
• Smash Pass - Effective pressure passing technique when opponent maintains static inverted position
• Pressure Pass - Strategic passing approach using weight and timing against inverted guard
• Leg Weave Pass - Technical passing approach to neutralize hook controls from inverted guard
• Knee Slice Pass - Effective passing technique during transitional moments from inverted guard
• Guard Passing Principles - Conceptual framework for strategic approaches to passing inverted guard
• Pressure Passing Framework - Systematic approach to applying pressure against mobile guard positions
• Mount - Advanced target position after consolidating passing success
• Knee on Belly - Transitional control position during passing sequences