Stoner Control Top represents the challenging defensive position where a practitioner finds themselves trapped in either the rubber guard or lockdown variation of Stoner Control. The top player’s primary objectives are to extract the trapped arm from the deep overhook, recover posture against the leg control, and establish passing opportunities while defending against the bottom player’s submission and sweep attacks.
Facing the rubber guard variation requires the top player to address both the posture-breaking rubber guard leg and the shoulder-controlling overhook simultaneously. The position is particularly dangerous because posting with the free arm triggers triangle setups, driving forward opens omoplata sweeps, and pulling the trapped arm backward exposes arm triangle attacks. Success requires systematic approach to posture recovery combined with precise timing and understanding of the bottom player’s attack patterns.
Facing the lockdown variation demands different defensive priorities - the top player must prevent the Electric Chair submission, defend against truck transitions and back takes, while working to extract the trapped leg from lockdown control. The overhook creates similar problems as the rubber guard version, limiting posting options and breaking posture forward. Effective defense requires combining lockdown escape mechanics with upper body defensive framing and careful timing to avoid triggering the bottom player’s sweep and back take sequences.
Position Definition
- Top practitioner’s arm trapped in deep overhook with bottom player’s arm threaded under armpit and gripping around back, limiting posting ability and controlling shoulder rotation
- Top practitioner’s posture broken forward and down by either rubber guard leg behind head/neck or lockdown controlling trapped leg, preventing upright positioning and stable base establishment
- Bottom player maintaining hip elevation creating upward pressure through leg control while active overhook prevents top player from establishing weight distribution or defensive structure
- Top practitioner’s free arm available but posting triggers specific attacks - triangle in rubber guard version, sweep or truck transition in lockdown version
Prerequisites
- Bottom player successfully established either rubber guard or lockdown control from guard bottom
- Top player’s posture broken by bottom player’s leg control mechanisms
- One arm trapped in deep overhook position under bottom player’s armpit
- Bottom player’s hips elevated maintaining active pressure through both leg and arm controls
- Top player attempting to maintain base or initiate pass while defending submission threats
Key Offensive Principles
- Primary escape priority is extracting trapped arm from overhook while simultaneously addressing posture break from leg control
- Never post aggressively with free arm near bottom player’s hips as this triggers high-percentage triangle or sweep setups
- Establish crossface or head control on free arm side to limit bottom player’s mobility and create escape angles
- Address leg control systematically - clear rubber guard by controlling ankle, or break lockdown through specific escape sequences
- Maintain wide base with free leg and use pressure distribution to prevent bottom player from generating sweep momentum
- Time arm extraction for moments when bottom player transitions between attacks, using their movement to create escape opportunities
- Avoid driving forward aggressively as this triggers omoplata sweeps in rubber guard and Electric Chair or truck entries in lockdown
Available Attacks
Overhook Escape to Posture Recovery → Closed Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Rubber Guard Clear to Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Lockdown Escape to Half Guard Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Stack Defense to Guard Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Crossface to Combat Base → Combat Base
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Knee Slice Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Decision Making from This Position
If trapped in rubber guard variation with high rubber guard leg behind head:
- Execute Crossface to Combat Base → Combat Base (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Stack Defense to Guard Pass → Side Control (Probability: 40%)
If trapped in lockdown variation with leg immobilized by lockdown:
- Execute Lockdown Escape to Half Guard Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Crossface to Combat Base → Combat Base (Probability: 50%)
If bottom player loosens overhook during transition between attacks:
- Execute Overhook Escape to Posture Recovery → Closed Guard (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Rubber Guard Clear to Pass → Side Control (Probability: 50%)
If bottom player attempts forward-driving submission like omoplata or Electric Chair:
- Execute Stack Defense to Guard Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Posture Recovery → Combat Base (Probability: 45%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Direct escape to passing position
Stoner Control Top → Overhook Escape → Combat Base → Knee Slice Pass → Side Control
Crossface defense to pass
Stoner Control Top → Crossface Control → Rubber Guard Clear → Guard Pass → Side Control
Lockdown escape to top control
Stoner Control Top → Lockdown Escape → Half Guard Pass → Knee Slice → Side Control
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 35% | 30% | 15% |
| Intermediate | 50% | 45% | 25% |
| Advanced | 65% | 60% | 40% |
Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds to escape or get submitted/swept