Stoner Control Bottom encompasses two distinct but related positions from the 10th Planet system, both characterized by deep overhook control that ‘stones’ opponent mobility. The rubber guard variation features the bottom practitioner breaking opponent posture with rubber guard leg while establishing deep overhook control, creating a powerful platform for triangle, omoplata, and gogoplata attacks. The lockdown half guard variation combines lockdown mechanics with overhook control to set up sweeps, back takes, and the Electric Chair submission.
From the rubber guard version, the practitioner has completely broken down opponent posture, secured deep overhook on one arm, and maintains rubber guard structure on the opposite side. This configuration severely limits defensive options while opening multiple attacking pathways, particularly effective in no-gi where traditional collar grips are unavailable. The lockdown version features active lockdown squeeze on opponent’s trapped leg combined with overhook on far arm, creating dilemmas between defending back attacks versus defending sweeps.
Both variations represent Eddie Bravo’s systematic approach where each control position serves as both defensive stronghold and offensive launching point. Success requires hip flexibility (rubber guard) or lockdown proficiency, but rewards practitioners with high submission and sweep success rates once properly established.
Position Definition
- Deep overhook secured on opponent’s arm with bottom practitioner’s arm threading completely under opponent’s armpit and gripping around back or shoulder, controlling rotation and preventing posting attempts
- Leg control established through either rubber guard configuration (ankle behind opponent’s head/neck) or lockdown (feet crossed beneath opponent’s thigh), creating mechanical control that limits opponent mobility
- Opponent’s posture broken forward and down toward bottom practitioner’s chest, with upper back rounded and head pulled below plane of bottom practitioner’s shoulders, eliminating defensive base
- Bottom practitioner’s hips elevated off mat creating upward pressure through leg control while maintaining active overhook, preventing opponent from establishing stable weight distribution or recovering defensive posture
Prerequisites
- Guard control already established from either closed guard (rubber guard version) or half guard (lockdown version)
- Opponent’s posture successfully broken with leg control mechanisms
- Deep overhook secured on one side with arm threaded under opponent’s armpit
- Adequate hip flexibility (rubber guard) or lockdown control proficiency (half guard version)
- Opponent’s weight committed forward enough to prevent easy posture recovery
Key Defensive Principles
- Maintain constant pressure with leg control (rubber guard or lockdown) to keep opponent’s posture broken and prevent base establishment
- Secure impossibly deep overhook by threading arm completely under opponent’s armpit until shoulder contacts ribcage
- Use active hip elevation to create space for attacks while simultaneously preventing opponent from driving forward with pressure
- Transition rapidly between submission or sweep setups rather than holding static position - attack within 5-10 seconds
- Coordinate leg pressure with overhook control to create opposing force vectors that freeze opponent mobility
- Create constant dilemmas where defending one attack opens another - triangle vs omoplata, or back take vs sweep
Available Escapes
Triangle Setup → Triangle Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 75%
Omoplata to Sweep → Omoplata Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 70%
Transition to Invisible Collar → Invisible Collar
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 80%
Old School Sweep → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Electric Chair Transition → Electric Chair
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Transition to Truck → Truck
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Transition to Chill Dog → Chill Dog
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 75%
Transition to Meathook → Meathook
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 70%
Half Guard to Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Underhook Sweep from Half → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent’s free arm posts on mat near hip attempting to establish base:
- Execute Triangle Setup → Triangle Control (Probability: 75%)
- Execute Omoplata to Sweep → Omoplata Control (Probability: 70%)
If opponent drives forward with weight or attempts stack pressure:
- Execute Omoplata to Sweep → Omoplata Control (Probability: 80%)
- Execute Electric Chair Transition → Electric Chair (Probability: 70%)
If opponent pulls trapped arm backward attempting to escape overhook:
- Execute Transition to Invisible Collar → Invisible Collar (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Arm Triangle → Won by Submission (Probability: 60%)
If opponent establishes whizzer control and drives weight forward in lockdown variation:
- Execute Transition to Truck → Truck (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Old School Sweep → Mount (Probability: 65%)
Escape and Survival Paths
Shortest path to triangle finish from rubber guard
Stoner Control Bottom → Triangle Control → Triangle from Guard → Won by Submission
High-percentage omoplata sweep to back attack
Stoner Control Bottom → Omoplata Control → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission
Electric Chair path from lockdown
Stoner Control Bottom → Electric Chair → Electric Chair Submission → Won by Submission
Truck to Twister path
Stoner Control Bottom → Truck → Twister Control → Twister → Won by Submission
Invisible collar to gogoplata sequence
Stoner Control Bottom → Invisible Collar → Gogoplata Control → Gogoplata → Won by Submission
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 50% | 48% | 28% |
| Intermediate | 68% | 65% | 45% |
| Advanced | 83% | 80% | 63% |
Average Time in Position: 20-60 seconds before transitioning to submission or sweep
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
Stoner Control represents a sophisticated application of mechanical advantage through coordinated limb entanglement and postural destruction, manifesting in two distinct but conceptually related variations within the 10th Planet system. Both the rubber guard and lockdown versions operate on the same fundamental principle: creating opposing vectors of force where leg control generates downward or rotational pressure while the deep overhook eliminates structural support on one side. What makes this position particularly valuable from a systematic perspective is its role as a decision point in the guard hierarchy. The opponent faces a series of losing options - in the rubber guard version, posting with the free arm triggers triangle mechanics, driving forward initiates omoplata sweeps, and attempting to extract the trapped arm opens arm triangle attacks. In the lockdown version, defending the back take opens sweep opportunities while defending sweeps exposes the back. This multi-directional threat matrix is the hallmark of elite guard play, where every defensive action creates a specific offensive opportunity. The key to mastering both variations lies in understanding that leg control and overhook must work in perfect coordination - the leg control prevents escape and breaks posture, while the overhook creates the specific attacking opportunities.
Gordon Ryan
In high-level no-gi competition, Stoner Control is one of the few 10th Planet positions I’ve found legitimately effective against elite opponents, though I primarily utilize the concepts rather than the exact positions. The rubber guard variation works best as a rapid-fire transition checkpoint rather than a holding position - against world-class competitors, you have maybe 5-10 seconds before they develop a counter-strategy, so immediate attacks are essential. The lockdown variation I’ve had more success with in competition because it forces top players into terrible positions where they can’t establish the pressure passing game most modern grapplers rely on. The lockdown prevents them from stepping their leg out for knee slice passes, and the overhook prevents them from getting their weight over you for smash passes. What makes this championship-level is the back take threat from the truck transition - once opponents become worried about defending their back, they leave themselves wide open for the old school sweep. One critical detail most people miss: the overhook needs to be impossibly deep, almost uncomfortable, because good passers will fight tooth and nail to extract that arm. If they succeed, your entire position collapses instantly. The key in competition is patience - hold the position, break their posture completely, then attack when you feel them commit to a defensive priority.
Eddie Bravo
Stoner Control is a crucial checkpoint in the 10th Planet roadmap and represents the moment where you’ve successfully broken your opponent’s defensive structure in either the rubber guard or lockdown game. I developed both variations to create that signature 10th Planet dilemma - they can’t defend everything simultaneously. From the rubber guard version, the triangle is your bread and butter, but the omoplata sweep opens when they fight the triangle, and the gogoplata appears when they defend differently. I named it Stoner Control because once you lock it in properly, you’ve ‘stoned’ their ability to move effectively - they’re frozen in a bad position. The lockdown version is all about that same philosophy but from half guard - they defend the back, you sweep them; they defend the sweep, you take the back. It’s beautiful, man. The position requires serious hip flexibility for the rubber guard version or solid lockdown mechanics for the half guard version, which is why we emphasize stretching and fundamental position mastery at 10th Planet gyms. If you can’t get your ankle behind their head comfortably or can’t maintain a tight lockdown, you’re not ready for these positions yet - stick with Mission Control or basic lockdown until your fundamentals improve. When you hit Stoner Control clean in either variation, your opponent knows they’re in serious trouble because you have multiple paths to victory and they’re fighting a losing battle.