Atlas/Guard/Headquarters Guard
Guard position·triangle choke (by pulling opponent forward and shooting legs), straight ankle lock (by catching a foot during transitions), omoplata (leg over shoulder from grip fighting)
HQ Guard
Headquarters
Modern Open Guard Hub

Headquarters Guard

Extended leg with connection - guard system hub

Dominance
58
vs 42
Control depth
Distal
Guarding
Transitions
32
outbound
Submissions
48
downstream
//01—About this position

What it is

Open guard position where one leg extends to create distance while the other maintains connection through hooks or frames. This configuration allows rapid transitions between guard systems based on opponent movement. Functions as a flexible hub connecting multiple open guard variations.

What you do

The step-by-step execution guide lives in the app — 6-step breakdown, biomechanics, and situational tips.

Open1position detailin the App Store↗
Dominance — Guarding perspective
58 vs 42
Disadvantaged↓ 16Dominant
Control depth · Distal — Distance managed while transitioning guard systems
Dominance — Passing perspective
42 vs 58
Disadvantaged↓ -16Dominant
Control depth · Distal — Control extended leg and prevent guard entries
//02—Concept tags
GUARDMODERNHUBDISTANCE MANAGEMENT
//03—Transitions outbound

32 ways out.

All32transitionsin the App Store↗
Headquarters Guard →
De La Riva Hook Entry
Shin hook behind leg - off-balance, sweeps, back takes
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Reverse De La Riva Hook Entry
Reverse leg hook engaged - inverted angles, back access
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Single Leg X Entry
One leg hooked, one elevating - sweep angles
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Arm Drag to Back
Over-under grip - upper body control from back
Type
Back take
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
X-Guard Entry
Crossed leg hooks - explosive sweeps
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Spider Guard Entry
Feet on biceps with sleeve grips - posture control
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Lasso Guard Entry
Leg threads through arm - complete limb isolation
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Headquarters Guard to Closed Guard
Legs locked around waist - complete distance control
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Headquarters Guard to Butterfly Guard
Feet hook inside thighs - lifting sweeps
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Headquarters Guard to Half Guard
One leg trapped - asymmetrical guard control
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
K-Guard Entry
Knee shield with distance control leg
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Collar Sleeve Guard Entry
Collar and sleeve grips - break posture, create angles
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Shin-to-Shin Guard Entry
Shin pressed to shin - leverage connection for sweeps
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Headquarters Guard to Seated Guard
Seated upright facing opponent - guard entry position
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Technical Stand Up
Equal standing - fight for grips
Type
Standup
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Headquarters Guard to Single Leg Control
One leg captured - finish the takedown
Type
Standup
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Knee Shield Insert
Top leg frames torso - distance control
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Knee Shield Insert
Shin across hip - distance control, sweep setup
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Worm Guard Entry
Lapel threaded under leg around arm - binding control
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Lapel Guard Entry
Lapel wrapped around leg - off-balance, sweep setup
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Squid Guard Entry
Lapel wrapped through legs - restrict movement, create chokes
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Headquarters Guard →
Leandro Lo Pass
Knee on belly - mobile pressure, transition hub
Type
Pass
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Headquarters Guard →
Headquarters Guard to Double Underhooks
Both underhooks on legs - lift and stack control
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Headquarters Guard →
Headquarters Guard to Over-Under Grip
Asymmetric grip - one over one under
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Headquarters Guard →
Headquarters Guard to Head-and-Arm Control
Arm trapped to neck - sets up arm triangle and darce
Type
Pass
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Headquarters Guard →
Headquarters Guard to X-Shin Block
Shin blocks thigh - prevent hip escape
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Headquarters Guard →
Headquarters Guard to Hon Kesa Gatame
Chest across chest, arm trapped - judo pin control
Type
Pass
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Headquarters Guard →
Headquarters Guard to Modified Scarf Hold
Armpit traps arm, hand controls head - submission setup
Type
Pass
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Headquarters Guard →
Leg Drag
Leg dragged across body - modern pass hub
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Headquarters Guard →
100 Kilos
Belly-down side control - sprawled chest pin
Type
Pass
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Headquarters Guard →
Kneebar Control
Straight-legged knee isolation - hip-fulcrum control for kneebar attacks
Type
Scramble
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Headquarters Guard →
Knee Cut
Knee sliced across the thigh - shear past to pin
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
//04—Submissions downstream

48 finishes live
from this position.

All48submissionsin the App Store↗
SUB-001
Triangle Choke
Guarding
Watch
6/10
SUB-002
Armbar
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-003
Kneebar
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-004
Omoplata
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-005
Straight Ankle Lock
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-006
Arm-in Guillotine
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-007
Guillotine Choke
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-008
Heel Hook
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-009
High Elbow Guillotine
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-010
Inside Heel Hook
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-011
Kimura
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-012
Outside Heel Hook
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-013
Saddle Heel Hook
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-014
Ten Finger Guillotine
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-015
Toe Hold
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-016
Hiza Gatame
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-017
Anaconda Choke
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-018
Aoki Lock
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-019
Prone Ankle Lock
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-020
Prone Armbar
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-021
Calf Slicer
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-022
Cross Collar Choke
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-023
D'Arce Choke
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-024
Estima Lock
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-025
Inverted Armbar
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-026
Inverted Heel Hook
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-027
Rolling Kneebar
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-028
Straight Armlock
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-029
Z-Lock
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-030
Arm Triangle
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-031
Baratoplata
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-032
Bicep Slicer
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-033
Brabo Choke
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-034
Calf Compression
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-035
Calf Crank
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-036
Calf Crusher
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-037
Cryangle
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-038
Gogoplata
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-039
Goose Neck Wrist Lock
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-040
Head and Arm Choke
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-041
Loop Choke
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-042
Monoplata
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-043
Reverse Calf Slicer
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-044
Reverse Triangle
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-045
Reverse Wrist Lock
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-046
Straight Wristlock
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-047
Tarikoplata
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-048
Wrist Lock
Guarding
Long
2/10
//05—Linked positions

Browse the graph.

Guard60
De La Riva
Shin hook behind leg - off-balance, sweeps, back takes
19 ↗ transitionsGuarding
Guard62
Reverse De La Riva
Reverse leg hook engaged - inverted angles, back access
12 ↗ transitionsGuarding
Guard65
Single Leg X
One leg hooked, one elevating - sweep angles
16 ↗ transitionsGuarding
Control82
Back Control
Over-under grip - upper body control from back
7 ↗ transitionsControlling
// Headquarters Guard · Guard

Read this position
on your phone.

Open Headquarters Guard in Grapla for the full detail block, all 32 outbound transitions, the counter graph, and the option to log this position straight to your journal.

Download on the
App Store