The Vaporizer Top position represents one of the most challenging defensive scenarios in no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where the top practitioner finds themselves trapped in the bottom player’s lockdown while simultaneously being subjected to the destabilizing whip-up motion characteristic of 10th Planet methodology. This position demands immediate defensive awareness and systematic escape protocols, as the bottom player has multiple high-percentage attacks including the Electric Chair submission, Old School sweep, and transitions to the Truck position.
From the top position in the Vaporizer, the primary objective is to neutralize the lockdown control and whip-up pressure before the bottom player can advance to more dangerous attacking positions. The top player must address both the lower body entanglement (the lockdown) and the upper body control (typically an underhook or overhook) simultaneously, requiring coordinated defensive movements and strategic pressure application. Unlike traditional half guard top positions where maintaining pressure is advantageous, the Vaporizer top position often requires the top player to make calculated adjustments to their base and posture to prevent being swept or submitted.
Successful navigation of this position requires understanding the systematic nature of 10th Planet attacks emanating from the Vaporizer. The top player must recognize that every defensive action creates a potential counter-opportunity for the bottom player, making it essential to employ defensive sequences that address multiple threats simultaneously. Whether clearing the lockdown through leg positioning adjustments, countering the whip-up with base management, or transitioning to safer passing positions, the Vaporizer top position tests a practitioner’s ability to remain composed under pressure while executing technically sound defensive movements.
Position Definition
- Bottom opponent has established lockdown on one of top player’s legs, creating figure-four entanglement that restricts leg mobility and prevents standard base positioning
- Bottom opponent controls upper body through underhook or overhook, typically threading under the arm or wrapping over the shoulder to create leverage for whip-up motion
- Top player’s posture is compromised and weight is being shifted laterally through opponent’s whip-up mechanics, preventing stable combat base establishment
- Top player’s trapped leg is extended and controlled, limiting ability to generate forward pressure or establish secure posting positions
- Bottom opponent is actively creating upward and lateral hip pressure, forcing top player to constantly adjust base to prevent being rolled or swept
Prerequisites
- Top player previously in half guard top or passing position
- Bottom opponent successfully established lockdown on one leg
- Bottom opponent secured underhook or overhook on upper body
- Top player’s posture has been broken or compromised
- Bottom opponent initiated whip-up motion creating lateral instability
Key Offensive Principles
- Immediately widen base and lower center of gravity to counter whip-up motion and prevent being rolled to back or side
- Address lockdown first by clearing the figure-four configuration before attempting to advance passing position
- Maintain heavy shoulder pressure on bottom opponent’s chest to limit their mobility and reduce effectiveness of whip-up
- Keep weight distributed strategically to prevent both sweep attempts and submission setups while working escape sequence
- Use controlled breathing and patience rather than explosive movements that create space for bottom opponent’s attacks
- Systematically break upper body control while maintaining defensive leg positioning to prevent Electric Chair or Truck transitions
- Recognize attack patterns and preemptively defend based on bottom opponent’s grip adjustments and hip movements
Available Attacks
Half Guard Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Knee Slice Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Smash Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Pressure Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Base Widening → Combat Base
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Whizzer → Half Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent has deep underhook and is creating strong whip-up pressure:
- Execute Whizzer → Half Guard (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Base Widening → Combat Base (Probability: 45%)
If lockdown is tight but upper body control is weak:
- Execute Pressure Pass → Side Control (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Smash Pass → Side Control (Probability: 45%)
If opponent is threatening Electric Chair or attempting to roll to Truck:
- Execute Base Widening → Combat Base (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Half Guard Pass → Side Control (Probability: 40%)
If lockdown pressure decreases or opponent adjusts grip:
- Execute Knee Slice Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Half Guard Pass → Side Control (Probability: 50%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Defense to Pass Path
Vaporizer Top → Base Widening → Combat Base → Half Guard Pass → Side Control
Whizzer Counter Path
Vaporizer Top → Whizzer → Half Guard → Knee Slice Pass → Side Control
Pressure Escape Path
Vaporizer Top → Smash Pass → Pressure Pass → Side Control → Mount
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 30% | 25% | 5% |
| Intermediate | 45% | 40% | 10% |
| Advanced | 60% | 55% | 15% |
Average Time in Position: 60-120 seconds to escape or be swept/submitted
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The Vaporizer top position exemplifies a critical principle in defensive grappling: you must address multiple control points simultaneously rather than sequentially to successfully escape compound control positions. The lockdown creates structural immobilization of the lower body while the underhook generates rotational force through the whip-up motion, and these two control mechanisms work synergistically to amplify each other’s effectiveness. From a systematic defensive perspective, the key is understanding that attempting to address the lockdown first while ignoring the underhook, or vice versa, plays directly into the position’s design. The proper defensive sequence involves immediately widening your base to create a stable platform resistant to lateral rolling, then simultaneously working to neutralize the underhook with a whizzer or crossface while beginning the systematic process of clearing the lockdown through leg circulation. What makes this position particularly challenging from a biomechanical standpoint is how the bottom player’s control configuration creates a mechanical advantage that allows them to generate significant force with relatively little energy expenditure, meaning that strength-based escape attempts typically favor the bottom player. Advanced defensive practitioners recognize that patience and systematic technique execution are more effective than explosive power in navigating this position, as explosive movements create the space and reactions that the bottom player’s attack system is designed to exploit.
Gordon Ryan
Honestly, being caught in a good Vaporizer from someone who really knows 10th Planet is one of the most annoying positions in no-gi grappling. The whole system is designed to create these cascading problems where every defense you make opens up another attack, and if you don’t know the specific defensive sequences, you’re just going to get swept or submitted eventually. What I’ve learned from competing against high-level 10th Planet guys is that you absolutely cannot let them settle into the position - the second you feel that lockdown coming on, you need to be moving, adjusting your base, fighting the underhook. Once they have everything locked in and they’re hitting that whip-up motion, your window for easy escapes is basically closed. The most important thing is the whizzer - if they have that underhook and you don’t immediately counter it, you’re going to get swept. The whizzer neutralizes probably 60-70% of their attack options right there. From there, it’s about being patient with clearing the lockdown. Don’t try to muscle your leg out because that’s exactly what they want - you burn energy and create the reactions they need for Electric Chair or Truck. Instead, you need to circulate your leg methodically while keeping that whizzer tight and your base wide. In competition, I’ve seen too many strong guys get caught in Vaporizer and try to power through it, and they just gas out and get finished. The position demands technical defense, not strength.
Eddie Bravo
From the top of the Vaporizer, you’re basically in my world now, and that’s a problem for you. The whole 10th Planet game is built around creating these positions where we have multiple attacks working together, and the Vaporizer is a perfect example. You’ve got the lockdown controlling your leg, we’ve got the underhook breaking your posture, and we’re whipping you up and creating all these different angles for attacks. The beauty of it from our perspective is that whatever you defend first, something else opens up. You defend the sweep? Cool, now the Electric Chair is right there. You try to clear the lockdown? Great, I’m taking your back or hitting the Truck. What most people don’t understand about defending the Vaporizer is that you needed to start defending it before you got there - once we have it fully locked in, you’re in a reactive position and we’re dictating the pace. That said, if you want to escape, here’s the reality: you need to fight that underhook immediately with a whizzer, you need to get your base wide so we can’t roll you, and you need to be patient clearing that lockdown. Don’t try to pull your leg out like some kind of caveman - that’s not going to work against someone who knows what they’re doing. Stay calm, maintain your defensive structure, work the whizzer, and systematically clear that lockdown with technique, not power. And whatever you do, don’t commit your weight forward heavy because that’s when the Electric Chair becomes basically unstoppable. The Vaporizer is designed to beat strength and panic, so if you want to escape, you better bring technique and patience instead.