aliases:
  - exhaust
  - tire

Cooking an Opponent

Cooking an Opponent refers to the strategy of systematically applying consistent Pressure, positional dominance, and control to exhaust your opponent physically and mentally.

There are ways to control and manipulate grips, stance and pace that are heavily in your favor so that an opponent is working at two or three times the rate you are. If you can maintain this, the result is inevitable. An opponent who is looking for an excuse to quit, your submission hold provides that excuse.

This approach aims to "wear down" the opponent, limiting their ability to escape or counterattack, and forcing them into mistakes that open up opportunities for submission or transitions to even more dominant positions.

Key Elements

Consistent Pressure

Use your body weight, Frames, and Weight Distribution to make your opponent uncomfortable and drain their energy.
Maintain chest-to-chest contact in positions like Side Control Top, Mount Top, or North South to keep them pinned.

Control Over Hips and Center Line

Prevent your opponent from using Hip Movement to escape or recover Guard.
Keep their body aligned in a way that limits their mobility and offensive options.

Positional Advancement

Gradually progress through the Positional Hierarchy, improving your dominance while maintaining control and Pressure.

Breaking Their Mentality

The constant pressure and lack of mobility frustrates the opponent, forcing them into suboptimal defensive movements or mistakes.

Pacing and Efficiency

Conserve your energy while making the opponent work harder than you. Use Breathing and Problem Solving to stay calm and calculated.

Techniques for Cooking an Opponent

Heavy Pressure from Side Control Top

Use crossface and underhook control to keep their head and shoulders pinned.
Shift your weight strategically to target different areas, such as their chest or hips, increasing discomfort.

Suffocating Control in Mount Top

Use high Mount Top to isolate their arms and apply chest pressure.
Transition to S-Mount or Technical Mount to keep them on the defensive.

North South Pressure

Pin their upper body with your chest and use your hips to control their head and shoulders.
Apply shoulder pressure to their neck to create a crushing sensation while limiting their air supply.

Pinning from Knee on Belly

Use your knee to apply pressure to their diaphragm while staying mobile to adjust and follow their movements.

Grip Fighting

Control their arms and wrists to limit their defensive options and create submission opportunities.

Benefits of Cooking an Opponent

Energy Drain

The opponent expends significant energy defending, while you conserve yours.

Mental Frustration

The feeling of being unable to escape leads to frustration and eventual mistakes.

Submission Opportunities

Fatigued and desperate opponents are more likely to expose their neck, arms, or other vulnerabilities.

Improved Control

Systematic pressure builds your ability to transition seamlessly through dominant positions.

Common Mistakes When Cooking an Opponent

Overcommitting to Pressure

Applying too much forward pressure can compromise your Base and make you vulnerable to sweeps.

Neglecting Transitions

Focusing solely on Pressure without advancing positions can limit your effectiveness.

Ignoring Breathing and Energy Conservation

Exerting yourself unnecessarily can leave you fatigued, neutralizing the strategy.

Tip

Cooking an Opponent is not just about Pressure; it’s about strategic patience and calculated control. Focus on combining Weight Distribution, Positional Layering, and Problem Solving to dominate and wear down your opponent.