BaffledExperts by Adam Norman

25: Winning from the top

The goals

When you are on top, you have two simple goals:

1. Get a hold down
2. Submit your opponent

The first is a condition for the second; you can’t submit without a decent hold down. Of course, the good hold downs for the person on top are the worst hold downs for the person on the bottom. From the perspective of the top, they are, from bad to good:

1. In guard
2. In half guard
3. Holding side control (mune gatame)
4. In full mount (tate shiho gatame)
5. Holding kesa gatame
6. Taking your opponent’s back (haigo gatame)

There is a final, bizarre, vestigial position that is worth mentioning:

7. Riding the turtle. It's when your opponent is on all fours, and you are holding him down. When you are riding the turtle, you are about to win, but haven't yet.

In guard (Do osae)

Half guard

Side control (mune gatame)

Full mount (tate shiho gatame)

Kesa gatame

Rear mount (haigo gatame)