The Headquarters Pass is a fundamental position and passing sequence that establishes dominant control over the half guard player before advancing to side control. This position, popularized by modern no-gi grapplers, creates a stable platform where the passer controls the opponent’s legs while maintaining strong shoulder pressure and crossface control. The headquarters position neutralizes most half guard retention strategies by controlling the opponent’s bottom leg and preventing them from creating frames or recovering full guard. From this controlling position, the passer can systematically break down the opponent’s defenses and transition to side control with minimal risk of being swept or re-guarded. The headquarters pass is particularly effective because it allows the passer to pause, assess the opponent’s defensive reactions, and choose from multiple finishing options based on how the opponent responds.
Starting Position: Headquarters Position Ending Position: Side Control Success Rates: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 80%
Key Principles
- Establish crossface control to prevent opponent’s head movement and frame creation
- Control the opponent’s bottom leg (near leg) to prevent re-guard and deep half entries
- Maintain constant shoulder pressure to flatten opponent and limit mobility
- Use knee shield or knee slice positioning to create space for leg extraction
- Keep weight distributed forward to prevent opponent from sitting up or creating angles
- Isolate the far leg while controlling the near leg to prevent defensive hook retention
- Transition decisively once the opponent’s legs are cleared to secure side control
Prerequisites
- Passer has established top position in opponent’s half guard
- Crossface or underhook control secured to control opponent’s upper body
- Passer’s trapped leg is creating pressure on opponent’s bottom hip
- Opponent’s top leg (far leg) is controlled or blocked from creating frames
- Passer maintains forward weight distribution and posture
- Opponent’s bottom leg (near leg) is prevented from establishing deep half guard hooks
Execution Steps
- Establish crossface control: From top half guard, drive your shoulder across the opponent’s face while securing an underhook or crossface grip. Your weight should be forward on your opponent’s chest, preventing them from creating frames or sitting up. Keep your hips heavy and connected to their bottom hip. (Timing: Initial control phase)
- Control the near leg: Use your trapped leg to apply pressure on the opponent’s bottom hip while simultaneously working to control their near leg (the leg closest to you). This can be done by cupping under their knee or using your free hand to control their thigh, preventing deep half guard entries. (Timing: Simultaneous with crossface establishment)
- Establish headquarters position: Position your free leg (the one not trapped) into a headquarters stance - knee up, foot planted near opponent’s hip. Your shin may rest on their bottom thigh, creating a barrier. Your chest remains heavy on their chest with constant crossface pressure. This is the stable headquarters platform. (Timing: Hold this position for 1-2 seconds to assess)
- Clear the far leg: While maintaining crossface and near leg control, use your free hand or knee to clear the opponent’s far leg (top leg). This may involve pushing their knee down, stepping over it, or using a knee slice motion to move it away from your hip. Prevent them from establishing a knee shield. (Timing: Deliberate clearing motion)
- Extract trapped leg: Once the far leg is cleared and controlled, focus on extracting your trapped leg from the half guard. Keep your weight forward while pulling your knee through the gap. You may need to angle your hips slightly or use a small hop to fully clear the legs. (Timing: Quick extraction once space is created)
- Transition to side control: As your leg clears, immediately transition your hips to a perpendicular position relative to your opponent’s body. Maintain the crossface, establish chest-to-chest pressure, and secure a strong side control position. Your near arm should control the far hip while your far arm maintains head control. (Timing: Immediate transition upon leg extraction)
Opponent Counters
- Opponent establishes strong underhook and drives into you (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Circle your hips away from the underhook, maintain crossface pressure, and transition to a different passing angle or establish a whizzer control to neutralize the underhook
- Opponent recovers knee shield or frames against your hip (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Use knee cut or long step variation to move around the frame, maintain shoulder pressure, and control the framing arm to prevent effective defensive structure
- Opponent attempts to sit up or create angle (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Increase crossface pressure, drive your weight forward onto their chest, and stuff their head back to the mat while maintaining leg control
- Opponent attempts deep half guard entry (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Keep your hips low and forward, maintain near leg control, and if necessary transition to headquarters position with better leg isolation before continuing the pass
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the primary control point that must be maintained throughout the entire headquarters pass sequence? A: The crossface or shoulder pressure across the opponent’s face/chest is the primary control point. This prevents the opponent from sitting up, creating frames, or establishing defensive posture. Without constant upper body control, the opponent can recover guard or create sweeping opportunities regardless of leg positioning.
Q2: Why must the far leg be cleared before attempting to extract the trapped leg? A: Clearing the far leg first prevents the opponent from re-establishing a knee shield or recovering full guard during your extraction. If you attempt to extract your trapped leg while the opponent’s far leg is still active, they can use that leg to create frames, block your movement, or immediately recover half guard position. Proper sequencing ensures minimal risk of re-guard.
Q3: How should you respond if your opponent establishes a strong underhook while you are in headquarters position? A: If the opponent secures a strong underhook, you should immediately circle your hips away from the underhook direction to prevent them from coming up or creating sweeping angles. Maintain your crossface pressure while either establishing a whizzer on their underhooking arm or transitioning to a different passing angle such as backstep or long step. Never allow them to use the underhook to sit up or square their hips to you.
Q4: What is the key difference between headquarters position and standard half guard top position? A: Headquarters position is a specific controlling position within half guard top where the passer has established crossface control, near leg control, and has positioned their free leg in a headquarters stance (knee up, shin potentially blocking). Standard half guard top can be any position where you are on top in half guard, but headquarters is a specific, more controlled platform that neutralizes most half guard attacks and sets up high-percentage passing sequences.
Q5: What are the most common mistakes that cause headquarters passes to fail? A: The most common mistakes include: losing crossface pressure which allows opponent to create frames or sit up; standing too upright which reduces control and allows guard recovery; attempting to extract the trapped leg before clearing the far leg; leaving space at the hips during transition which enables re-guard; and rushing the position without establishing proper controls. Each of these errors gives the opponent opportunities to defend, retain guard, or even sweep.
Q6: How does weight distribution change throughout the headquarters pass sequence and why is this important? A: Weight distribution should remain primarily forward throughout the sequence, with your chest pressure on the opponent’s torso. During leg extraction, there may be a momentary shift, but you must immediately return pressure forward as you transition to side control. This constant forward pressure prevents the opponent from sitting up, creating space, or establishing defensive frames. If you shift your weight backward or upward during any phase, you give the opponent the space they need to recover guard or initiate defensive tactics.
Safety Considerations
The headquarters pass is generally a safe technique for both practitioners when executed with proper control. The passer should be mindful of maintaining shoulder pressure without driving their shoulder point directly into the opponent’s face or throat, which can cause discomfort or injury. When extracting the trapped leg, avoid explosive or jerking motions that could strain your own knee or the opponent’s leg if they are holding tight grips. During training, both partners should communicate if grips or pressure become uncomfortable. The bottom player should tap if they feel their neck is being cranked or if they experience any joint discomfort from leg entanglement. Practice this technique progressively with cooperative partners before attempting it at full intensity to develop proper mechanics and avoid injury during the learning phase.
Position Integration
The headquarters pass is a fundamental component of modern half guard passing systems and serves as a central hub position from which multiple passing options emerge. This position fits into the broader guard passing hierarchy as a controlling platform that can be established from standard half guard top, knee shield situations, or even as a recovery position when other passes are being defended. From headquarters, the passer has access to knee slice variations, long step passes, backstep passes, and can transition to other controlling positions like over-under or double under passes. Defensively, understanding headquarters is crucial for half guard players, as this position represents the point where the guard player’s retention strategies have been largely neutralized and they must work to recover frames, underhooks, or create scrambles before the pass is completed. The headquarters concept bridges traditional pressure passing and modern leg-based passing systems, making it essential knowledge for both gi and no-gi practitioners at all levels.
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The headquarters position represents a systematic approach to solving the half guard problem. What makes this position so effective from a biomechanical perspective is the way it creates a hierarchy of controls - you control the opponent’s head and shoulders with crossface pressure, which limits their ability to create the angles necessary for effective half guard retention. Simultaneously, you control their legs in a way that prevents both deep half guard entries and full guard recovery. This dual control creates what I call a ‘control sandwich’ where the opponent is compressed and immobilized between your upper body pressure and lower body leg control. The key is understanding that headquarters is not just a passing position, but a controlling platform from which you can assess the opponent’s defensive reactions and choose your finishing sequence accordingly. Many grapplers rush through headquarters, but the position’s true power lies in your ability to pause, maintain control, and then decisively execute your chosen passing variation based on the opponent’s specific defensive structure.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the headquarters position is one of the highest percentage passing platforms because it completely shuts down the modern half guard player’s offense while setting up multiple finishing options. When I establish headquarters, my opponent has essentially lost - they just don’t know it yet. The position neutralizes their ability to come up on the underhook, prevents them from getting to deep half, and stops them from creating the knee shield frames that modern half guard is built on. What I focus on in competition is getting to headquarters quickly and then being patient once I’m there. I’ll hold that position, make my opponent carry my weight, tire them out, and wait for them to make a mistake or give me the reaction I want. Then I finish decisively with either knee slice or long step depending on how they’re defending. The mental aspect is huge too - when your opponent realizes they’re in headquarters and can’t get out, you can feel their morale drop. That’s when I know the pass is coming and I attack with full commitment.
- Eddie Bravo: The headquarters position is interesting because it’s one area where 10th Planet methodology and traditional passing concepts actually align pretty well. We use headquarters all the time, especially in no-gi where you can’t rely on gi grips to pass half guard. What makes headquarters work in our system is that it’s a pause point where you can catch your breath and reset while maintaining dominant control - that’s crucial in the fast-paced scrambles that happen in 10th Planet style rolling. From headquarters, we have some unique variations like going to the Truck if they’re defending really well, or using the Electric Chair threat to make them open up their legs. One thing I teach differently is using more of an underhook variation of headquarters because crossface can be harder to maintain against really flexible guys or when you’re sweaty in no-gi. The underhook gives you that same shoulder pressure but with a grip that’s harder to strip. And remember, if someone is beating your headquarters pass, you can always bail to the Twister side control or look for back takes - headquarters is a junction position that connects to a lot of different attacks in our system.