---
title: Positions
description: The nodes of the graph. Each position lists the moves I know from it, and the moves that land me in it.
section: body
tags: [bjj, positions, graph, index]
genre: index
lastUpdated: 2026-04-26
url: https://fardiniqbal.com/docs/body/mat/positions
---


Positions are the **nodes** of the graph. A position page answers two questions a grappler actually has on the mat:

1. **What can I do from here?** (outgoing edges --- moves with `fromPosition: <slug>`)
2. **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 [#positions-from-volume-02-----front-headlock-technique-series]

### Defensive starting points [#defensive-starting-points]

* [Front headlock (bottom)](/docs/body/mat/positions/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 [#transition-positions]

* [Half guard (from front headlock escape)](/docs/body/mat/positions/half-guard-bottom) --- 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)](/docs/body/mat/positions/seated-guard) --- 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 [#offensive-endgames]

* [Top position (post-sweep)](/docs/body/mat/positions/top-position) --- generic top position after sweeping from half guard or arm drag series. Covering hips, looking to pass or consolidate.
* [Back control (chest to back)](/docs/body/mat/positions/back-control) --- 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)](/docs/body/mat/positions/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) [#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](/docs/body/mat/sources/only-way-out/volume-01#4-position-overview-turtle). Will get its own page when Volume 03 (turtle techniques) arrives.