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New York Control

Dec 09, 20258 min read

New York Control represents one of the most technically sophisticated positions within the 10th Planet Rubber Guard system, requiring exceptional hip and shoulder flexibility while offering numerous high-percentage submission opportunities. This position emerges when the bottom practitioner achieves a high guard configuration with one leg controlling the opponent’s posture while the opposite arm maintains an overhook, creating a controlling web that simultaneously defends against passing attempts while setting up devastating attacks.

The strategic brilliance of New York Control lies in its ability to nullify the top player’s passing mechanics while maintaining constant offensive pressure. By controlling the opponent’s posture through the leg position and restricting arm movement with the overhook, the bottom player creates a systematic framework for transitioning between submission attempts. The position serves as a critical junction point in the rubber guard system, functioning as both a defensive retention position and an offensive launching pad for triangle chokes, omoplatas, and the signature gogoplata finish.

From the bottom perspective, practitioners must understand that New York Control sacrifices traditional base and posting opportunities in favor of submission proximity and control depth. The extreme flexibility requirements make this position unsuitable for practitioners with limited range of motion, but those who develop the necessary attributes gain access to a submission system that remains largely unfamiliar to competitors trained in traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu methodologies. The position demands constant pressure maintenance through active leg engagement while using the overhook to break down defensive posturing.

Top players facing New York Control encounter a uniquely challenging defensive scenario where traditional passing mechanics become largely ineffective. The combination of leg control and overhook creates a controlling structure that resists standard pressure passing approaches while punishing attempts to establish posture through immediate submission threats. Successfully defending requires understanding the specific mechanical vulnerabilities of the position while maintaining disciplined arm positioning and base distribution to prevent the transition to finishing positions.

The position’s integration within the broader 10th Planet system provides practitioners with clear pathways for advancement when initial submission attempts are defended. The systematic approach to combining New York Control with positions like Mission Control, Invisible Collar, and Zombie creates a web of interconnected options that force opponents into defensive dilemmas where every escape attempt opens alternative attacking pathways. This systematic depth separates New York Control from isolated technique applications, transforming it into a complete positional framework.

Competition application demonstrates New York Control’s effectiveness in both gi and no-gi contexts, though the position achieves particular success in no-gi environments where traditional grips become unavailable to the top player. The flexibility requirements initially limit the position’s accessibility, but dedicated practitioners who invest in developing the necessary range of motion gain access to a submission system that consistently produces finishes against opponents unfamiliar with rubber guard defensive protocols. Understanding both the attacking mechanics and defensive requirements proves essential for modern competitors seeking comprehensive guard system mastery.

Key Principles

  • Flexibility determines position accessibility - insufficient range of motion prevents proper execution

  • Overhook control restricts defensive posting and creates submission pathways

  • Active leg engagement maintains posture control and prevents opponent base recovery

  • Position functions as systematic junction point rather than isolated technique

  • Submission chains create defensive dilemmas where every escape opens alternative attacks

  • Traditional passing mechanics become largely ineffective against proper New York structure

  • Competition success requires dedicated flexibility development and systematic training

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeOffensive/ControllingDefensive
Risk LevelMediumHigh
Energy CostMediumMedium
TimeMediumShort

Key Difference: Extreme flexibility enables submission access

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Active leg engagement maintains posture control - passive leg allows opponent base recovery

  • Overhook depth determines submission accessibility and defensive restriction effectiveness

  • Flexibility limitations prevent proper execution - develop mobility before attempting position

  • Position functions as systematic junction rather than isolated submission attempt

  • Every opponent defense opens alternative submission pathway through systematic chains

  • Constant pressure maintenance prevents opponent from establishing defensive structure

  • Competition success requires dedicated drilling of submission chains and transitions

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Maintaining passive leg pressure across opponent’s back without active engagement

    • Consequence: Allows opponent to recover posture and establish base for passing attempts
    • ✅ Correction: Constantly pull leg across back while driving knee toward opponent’s far shoulder, maintaining active pressure that prevents vertical posture recovery

  • ❌ Shallow overhook position with arm not fully threaded under opponent’s armpit

    • Consequence: Opponent easily escapes overhook control through posting or arm extraction
    • ✅ Correction: Drive arm deep under opponent’s armpit until hand can clasp shoulder, neck, or own leg, creating structural depth that resists defensive posting attempts

  • ❌ Attempting position without sufficient hip flexibility development

    • Consequence: Cannot achieve proper leg wrap position, creating ineffective control structure
    • ✅ Correction: Dedicate training time to flexibility development through yoga, stretching routines, and progressive range of motion exercises before implementing position in sparring

  • ❌ Releasing free hand control to adjust grips or attempt submissions prematurely

    • Consequence: Opponent immediately establishes defensive hand fighting and posture recovery
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant control of opponent’s free arm or neck throughout position, only releasing to complete submission when finishing mechanics are fully established

  • ❌ Failing to transition when opponent successfully defends initial submission attempt

    • Consequence: Position becomes static stalling configuration without offensive pressure
    • ✅ Correction: Implement systematic submission chains where defense of one attack immediately opens transition to alternative finish or position advancement

  • ❌ Attempting to hold position indefinitely rather than using as transition point

    • Consequence: Opponent gradually escapes through sustained pressure without facing continued submission threats
    • ✅ Correction: Recognize New York Control as junction position within broader rubber guard system, constantly transitioning between submission attempts and related positions

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Overhook escape must occur before leg extraction attempts - reversed priority leads to submission

  • Forward pressure plays into bottom player’s submission chains - lateral movement provides safer escape

  • Standard posture recovery mechanics fail - circular base distribution reduces leg control effectiveness

  • Patience throughout escape sequence produces higher success than aggressive passing attempts

  • Defensive arm positioning prevents triangle setup - extended arms create immediate danger

  • Systematic escape protocols require dedicated drilling - instinctive responses typically fail

  • Competition preparation demands specific rubber guard defense training - position appears infrequently

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Driving forward with pressure attempting to establish dominant position

    • Consequence: Increases triangle, omoplata, and gogoplata danger by feeding into bottom player’s submission chains
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain lateral base distribution and avoid forward pressure until overhook is extracted and leg control is compromised

  • ❌ Attempting to remove leg control before escaping overhook restriction

    • Consequence: Bottom player transitions between submission threats while overhook prevents effective defensive hand fighting
    • ✅ Correction: Prioritize overhook escape through angle creation and pressure direction that compromises arm depth, only addressing leg control after arm is freed

  • ❌ Extending arms to post or create distance from bottom player

    • Consequence: Arm extension provides bottom player with triangle setup opportunities and increased submission access
    • ✅ Correction: Keep elbows tight to body with hands protecting neck throughout escape sequence, avoiding posting or arm extension

  • ❌ Attempting standard vertical posture recovery while leg control persists

    • Consequence: Leg pressure prevents effective posture establishment while creating submission opportunities
    • ✅ Correction: Utilize circular base distribution and lateral movement to reduce leg control effectiveness before attempting vertical posture

  • ❌ Aggressive passing attempts while fundamental controls remain active

    • Consequence: Bottom player achieves back take or submission finish during passing transition
    • ✅ Correction: Exercise patience throughout systematic escape protocols, only attempting advancement after overhook escape and posture recovery

  • Mission Control - Primary entry position from rubber guard system

  • Invisible Collar - Alternative rubber guard control position with similar flexibility requirements

  • Zombie - Advanced rubber guard position combining posture break with submission setup

  • Chill Dog - Rubber guard variation emphasizing shoulder control

  • Triangle Control - Common finishing position from New York transitions

  • Omoplata Control - High-percentage attack option from New York structure

  • Gogoplata Control - Signature submission finish utilizing New York positioning

  • Closed Guard - Traditional starting position before rubber guard entries

  • Overhook Guard - Related control position utilizing similar arm control