Complete BJJ Top Game System | BJJ App Wiki
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The complete BJJ top game system: positional hierarchy, pressure principles, submission hunting from top, and connecting all top positions.
A complete top game system connects guard passing, positional control, submission hunting, and back takes into a seamless flow that prevents the opponent from ever recovering.
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Top Game Positional Hierarchy
The top game hierarchy (from most dominant to least): back control (4 pts) → mount (4 pts) → knee-on-belly (2 pts) → side control (3 pts) → half guard top (no pts). Moving up the hierarchy is the goal of your top game. Every escape attempt by the opponent is an opportunity to advance.
Pressure Principles
Fundamental pressure principles: (1) Stay connected — never give space without purpose, (2) Drive into them — use your bodyweight, not muscular strength, (3) Be patient — submission opportunities appear when they must move to escape, (4) Crossface and hip control are the two pillars of top pressure.
Guard Passing Integration
Top game begins with guard passing. The most effective top game practitioners have passes that directly connect to dominant positions: torreando pass to knee-on-belly, leg weave pass to side control, body lock pass to mount or back. Design your passes to land in dominant positions rather than neutral side control.
Submission Hunting from Top
From every top position, prioritize: side control → americana/kimura/north-south choke; mount → armbar/cross collar/ezekiel; knee-on-belly → armbar/baseball bat choke; back → rear naked choke/bow-and-arrow. Know your highest percentage submission from each position and default to it when the opportunity arises.
Connecting Back Takes to Top Game
The back take is the crown of the top game system. Set up back takes from: mount (when they give up the neck), side control (when they roll away), knee-on-belly (when they roll to escape), and turtle (always). A practitioner who connects their top game to back takes and maintains the position is extremely difficult to defeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Side control is the foundation because it connects to all other top game positions. Master side control maintenance and transitions before focusing on mount or knee-on-belly. Once you have reliable side control, advancing becomes natural.
Both have value. Submissions end matches definitively. Points win on judge's decisions. The best approach: hunt for submissions while maintaining positional dominance (which accumulates points). Never sacrifice a dominant position for an unlikely submission attempt.
Flexible opponents can create unexpected guard recovery angles. Counter with: (1) faster transitions rather than trying to hold one position, (2) attacking when they move (movement creates submission opportunities), (3) using heavy pressure rather than positional stability alone.
Related Guides
→ ⬆️ Top Game Guide→ ⚔️ Passing Styles Guide→ 🔗 Submission Chain Guide→ 🎯 High Percentage Attacks→ 🎯 Back Attacks GuideGet the BJJ Wiki Newsletter
More Questions
What are the core principles of a complete BJJ top game system?
A complete top game system emphasizes control, pressure, and submission offense. It's not just about one position, but a fluid transition between dominant positions like side control, mount, and knee-on-belly, all while maintaining pressure and setting up submissions.
How do I transition effectively between top positions in BJJ?
Effective transitions are built on maintaining control and understanding your opponent's reactions. Learn to use their defensive movements to your advantage, creating openings to advance to better positions like mount or take the back, rather than simply disengaging and re-engaging.
What are the most common submission threats from a strong top game?
From a dominant top position, common submission threats include armbars, kimuras, triangles (from mount), and rear-naked chokes (from the back). The key is to consistently apply pressure and isolate limbs or the neck as you transition and maintain control.
Common BJJ Problems & FAQ
To maintain top pressure, drive your hips down and forward, keeping your chest heavy on their torso; simultaneously, use your lead knee to anchor their hip and your trailing foot to block their escape path by digging your toes into the mat.
To counter a bridge, immediately drive your weight down through your hips and chest, simultaneously planting your lead foot firmly on the mat and extending your trailing leg to create a base, preventing their hips from lifting yours.
Smooth transitions require a hip-to-hip connection; to move to mount from side control, pivot your hips and drive your lead knee over their torso, using your chest to maintain contact while your trailing leg follows to establish the mount.