Advance to Chill Dog represents a critical progression within the 10th Planet Rubber Guard system, moving from the foundational New York control into a deeper attacking position that sets up the gogoplata and other high-percentage finishes. This transition capitalizes on the broken posture and overhook control established in New York, threading the controlling leg deeper across the opponent’s back to create the distinctive Chill Dog configuration.
The strategic value of this advancement lies in its ability to convert positional control into immediate submission threat. While New York offers multiple attack pathways, Chill Dog narrows the focus to neck attacks - particularly the gogoplata - while maintaining the fundamental overhook control that prevents the opponent from posturing. The transition exploits the opponent’s compromised structure, using their forward-driven posture as the mechanism for deepening leg control.
Biomechanically, the move requires threading the shin that was across the opponent’s back deeper until the instep can hook around their neck. This demands significant hip flexibility combined with precise timing - attempting the thread while the opponent is fighting posture creates the space needed for the leg to travel. The overhook arm maintains constant pressure throughout, preventing any explosive posture recovery that would shut down the transition.
From a game theory perspective, Advance to Chill Dog forces the opponent into increasingly desperate defensive decisions. Once the leg begins threading deeper, they must choose between accepting the deeper control or attempting explosive escapes that often expose them to armbar, triangle, or omoplata attacks. This dilemma-based approach exemplifies the 10th Planet philosophy of creating no-win situations through systematic positional advancement.
From Position: New York (Bottom) Success Rate: 55%
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Chill Dog | 55% |
| Failure | New York | 30% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 15% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute technique | Prevent or counter |
| Key Principles | Maintain deep overhook control throughout the transition - a… | Early recognition is everything - once the shin hooks the ne… |
| Options | 6 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Maintain deep overhook control throughout the transition - any loosening allows opponent escape
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Thread the leg during opponent’s forward pressure, using their drive as assistance
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Hip angle must rotate toward the overhook side to create space for the leg to travel
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The shin-gripping hand transitions to guide the foot around the neck as the leg deepens
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Core engagement prevents being flattened during the vulnerable transition phase
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Opponent’s broken posture is the prerequisite - never attempt against upright opponent
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The transition is continuous motion, not segmented steps - fluidity prevents defensive adjustments
Execution Steps
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Confirm New York control: Verify deep overhook with shoulder tight to opponent’s armpit, shin across their upper back, and sam…
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Rotate hips toward overhook: Turn your hips slightly toward the overhook side, creating the angle needed for your leg to travel d…
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Release shin grip and guide foot: Release your grip on your own shin and immediately use that hand to guide your foot around the oppon…
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Thread instep around neck: Drive your instep across the back of opponent’s neck, hooking it on the far side. Your shin should n…
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Secure Chill Dog configuration: Once the foot hooks around, use your hand to grab your own shin or ankle to lock the position. Your …
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Adjust angle for attacks: Fine-tune your hip angle and leg position to maximize pressure on opponent’s neck. Pull with your ov…
Common Mistakes
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Loosening overhook while focusing on leg threading
- Consequence: Opponent extracts arm and recovers posture, escaping both New York and preventing Chill Dog entry
- Correction: Maintain constant overhook pressure with shoulder-to-armpit contact throughout. The overhook is the anchor that makes the transition possible.
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Attempting transition against opponent with recovered posture
- Consequence: Leg cannot travel the required distance and opponent easily defends the thread attempt
- Correction: Re-break posture using closed guard mechanics before attempting Chill Dog advancement. Broken posture is a prerequisite, not optional.
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Threading leg in segmented steps rather than fluid motion
- Consequence: Each pause gives opponent time to adjust defense and block the next segment of movement
- Correction: Execute the transition as one continuous flowing movement from New York to secured Chill Dog. Fluidity prevents defensive adaptation.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Early recognition is everything - once the shin hooks the neck, defensive options decrease dramatically
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Never drive forward into the bottom player during the transition, as forward pressure assists their leg threading
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Pin the threading leg with your free hand before it crosses the neck line to prevent Chill Dog establishment
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Posture recovery must be explosive and immediate when you feel the hip rotation that signals the advancement
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The bottom player’s shin grip release is your highest-percentage escape window - recognize and exploit it
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Turn your head and shoulders away from the threading leg to increase the distance it must travel
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If Chill Dog is partially established, address neck pressure before attempting full escape to prevent strangulation
Recognition Cues
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Bottom player’s hips rotate toward their overhook side, shifting their weight and opening the angle for leg travel
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Bottom player releases their same-side grip on their shin near the ankle, reaching to cup and guide their own foot
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The shin that was across your upper back begins sliding higher toward your neck rather than maintaining static position
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Bottom player’s pulling pressure with the overhook intensifies as they use it as the primary anchor during the transition
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You feel the bottom player’s instep moving across the back of your neck rather than resting on your shoulder blade
Defensive Options
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Explosive posture recovery by driving hips back and chest up while stripping overhook - When: Immediately upon recognizing the hip rotation that signals Chill Dog advancement - must act within one to two seconds
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Pin the threading leg with your free hand, pressing it down against their torso to block the shin from reaching your neck - When: When you feel the shin beginning to slide higher on your back but before it crosses past your shoulder line to your neck
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Turn head and shoulders away from the threading direction while circling your trapped elbow downward for extraction - When: When the bottom player releases their shin grip to guide their foot - this momentary control gap is the optimal window
Position Integration
Advance to Chill Dog occupies a critical junction in the 10th Planet Rubber Guard attack tree. It represents the progression from New York’s controlling hub position into a finishing-focused configuration. Within the broader system, this transition is one of several options from New York - alongside Invisible Collar, Zombie, and Carni - each leading to different submission families. Chill Dog specifically funnels into gogoplata attempts, making it the pathway of choice when neck attacks are the goal. The transition also connects to the dilemma-creation philosophy: attempting Chill Dog often exposes triangle and omoplata opportunities when defended, meaning even failed attempts advance your position. This makes the technique valuable both as a primary attack and as a threat that opens secondary options.