Base and Structure

Combat base positions one knee up as a post and one knee down as an anchor, creating a stable triangular base inside the opponent's guard. This structure resists sweeps from multiple directions while keeping one hand free to grip fight.

Standing neutral stance requires feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, hips low — a stable base that can react to any takedown angle. Poor stance is the first thing opponents exploit; good base is the first thing they respect.

Maintaining mount requires a wide base with feet hooked under the opponent's thighs and hips heavy. Narrow base from mount lets the bottom player bridge you over; structured base absorbs the bridge.

Side control base spreads through hip-to-mat contact, chest weight, and a wide knee position. The top player who loses base — feet too close together, weight too high — gets reversed by a basic hip escape.

Headquarters is a guard passing base with one knee in the centre and the other foot posted wide. This neutral passing position provides a stable platform to initiate passes to either side.

The dogfight scramble rewards whoever establishes a wider, lower base first. The player with the underhook and wider knee base controls the scramble direction and determines who ends up on top.

The double leg requires driving through with a wide base and head pressure to complete the takedown. A narrow stance during the drive lets the opponent sprawl and re-establish their own base.

The sprawl drops your hips to the mat with legs extended, creating a wide base that denies the opponent's entry underneath. Base width and hip height are the two variables that determine sprawl effectiveness.

Deep half guard works by getting underneath the opponent's base and disrupting it from below. The sweep succeeds when you move under their centre of gravity — their base collapses because the foundation is removed.

Butterfly sweeps succeed by elevating the opponent's hips above their base with your hooks. The sweep doesn't require strength — it requires removing the opponent's base by lifting their centre of gravity past their support points.