Positions
The nodes of the graph. Each position lists the moves I know from it, and the moves that land me in it.
Positions are the nodes of the graph. A position page answers two questions a grappler actually has on the mat:
- What can I do from here? (outgoing edges --- moves with
fromPosition: <slug>) - How did I end up here? (incoming edges --- moves with
toPosition: <slug>)
A position exists on this site only when at least one move references it. As moves accumulate, positions start landing on the sidebar and their outgoing-edge lists densify. A position with zero outgoing moves isn't a gap in my documentation --- it's a hole in my game. I treat it as a signal for where to point attention next.
Positions from Volume 02 --- Front Headlock Technique Series
Defensive starting points
- Front headlock (bottom) --- the starting position for most Volume 02 escapes. Partner has head-and-arm control from the front, strangle threat active, central dilemma in play.
Transition positions
- Half guard (from front headlock escape) --- the pivot point after escaping via the sit-through. One leg captured, underhook available. Everything before this is defense; everything after is offense.
- Seated guard (post-escape) --- seated with legs between you and partner after escaping via the two-on-one method. Arm-drag grip available. Launches the arm-drag series and snap-down reversal.
Offensive endgames
- Top position (post-sweep) --- generic top position after sweeping from half guard or arm drag series. Covering hips, looking to pass or consolidate.
- Back control (chest to back) --- chest on partner's back, hands behind armpits or on thighs. The offensive endgame for the half-guard back take and the arm-drag back take. Start with a chest lock, not a seat-belt.
- Front headlock (top) --- you have snapped partner down into your own front headlock. The central dilemma is now in your favor: stay in front to strangle or go behind for chest-to-back.
Positions discussed in Volume 01 (no dedicated pages yet)
Volume 01 is conceptual; no specific moves, so no edges yet. But the volume describes the broader position family the course operates inside:
- Turtle --- bottom turtle. Partner is chest-to-back, attacking grips, hooks, and strangles. §4 of the transcript. Will get its own page when Volume 03 (turtle techniques) arrives.
Defensive hand position
The foundational skill for surviving any front headlock or rear strangle attack. Primary thumb inside, secondary over the forearm, look toward the strangle arm. From Volume 01 of Foundation of Offense.
Front headlock (bottom)
The starting position for most Volume 02 escapes. Partner has head-and-arm control from the front.