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
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
Defending Stoner Control requires understanding the mechanical trap you’ve entered - the bottom player has created a structural control system where your trapped arm eliminates one primary support point while the leg control breaks your posture and prevents base recovery. The key defensive principle is recognizing this as a two-part problem that must be addressed systematically rather than through brute force. Attempting to simply rip the trapped arm free ignores the reality that the leg control maintains the posture break that makes overhook retention possible. Similarly, addressing only the leg control while leaving the overhook intact prevents posture recovery that makes leg clearing effective. The solution lies in creating what I call ‘defensive leverage points’ - using your free arm to establish crossface or head control creates a third structural element that disrupts the bottom player’s control system. Once this disruption occurs, you can time your overhook extraction and leg clearing for moments when the bottom player transitions between attacks, using their movement against them. The critical error most students make is posting the free hand near the bottom player’s hips attempting to create base - this is precisely what the bottom player wants, as it triggers their highest percentage attacks. Instead, maintain a wide base with your free leg, establish head control with the free arm, and work methodically on the posture and overhook problems simultaneously.
Gordon Ryan
Getting caught in Stoner Control, especially against someone who knows what they’re doing, is a nightmare scenario in competition because you’re fighting multiple problems at once with limited solutions. The rubber guard version is particularly dangerous because any aggressive movement triggers specific submissions - post your hand, you get triangled; drive forward, you get omoplata’d; pull back too hard, they set up arm triangles. The lockdown version gives you slightly more room to work but presents its own problems with the Electric Chair and truck transitions. My approach to escaping focuses on patience and timing rather than explosive movements. The key is establishing crossface control with your free arm before attempting any major escape efforts - this limits their ability to adjust angles for submissions and gives you a control point to work from. Once you have the crossface, you’re looking for the moment when they transition between attacks to extract your trapped arm. That extraction needs to be a circular motion, not straight backward, because pulling straight plays into their control. For the lockdown variation, I prioritize breaking the lockdown before worrying too much about the overhook because the lockdown is what enables their sweeps and Electric Chair. The harsh reality is that against high-level practitioners, your best defense is not getting into this position in the first place - that means maintaining good posture in closed guard and being careful with arm placement in half guard. If you do get caught, accept that it’s a defensive battle and focus on not getting submitted first, escaping second.
Eddie Bravo
From the top position in Stoner Control, you’re in exactly the bad spot we designed this position to create - you’re stuck in a dilemma where every defensive choice opens up a different attack. That’s the beauty of the position from my perspective as the creator, but obviously it sucks if you’re the one trapped there. The main thing people don’t understand when they’re trying to escape is that you can’t just muscle your way out. If you try to power through, you’re going to get submitted or swept, period. The position is specifically designed to punish strength-based escapes. Your best bet is to recognize which variation you’re in - the rubber guard version or the lockdown version - because the escape priorities are different. Against the rubber guard Stoner Control, you absolutely cannot post that free hand aggressively or you’re getting triangled. Keep that hand high, work on getting head control or a crossface, and wait for the moment when your partner transitions to a submission to extract your arm. Against the lockdown version, the lockdown itself is your biggest problem because it enables all the sweeps and the Electric Chair. You need to address that lockdown urgently using proper escape mechanics - don’t just try to rip your leg out. The reality is, if someone locks up Stoner Control clean on you, especially in no-gi, you’re in trouble. Your best defense is prevention - don’t let them break your posture in the first place, don’t let them get that deep overhook, and especially don’t hang out in their guard long enough for them to set this stuff up. If you do get caught, stay calm, don’t panic, and work systematically on the escape rather than spazzing out.