Combat Base

Combat Base is a versatile position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where one knee is down on the mat while the other foot is posted, creating a stable yet mobile posture. This position is often used to defend against sweeps, prepare for guard passing, or establish strong base while maintaining the ability to adjust to various situations.

Key Features of Combat Base

Posture

  • Maintain a strong posture with your back straight and your center of gravity low.
  • Keep your head and hips aligned for balance and control.

Base

  • One knee is on the ground while the opposite foot is posted with the sole flat on the mat, creating a tripod-like structure.
  • Hands are active, framing or controlling the opponent’s grips or Guard.

Angles

  • You’re positioned at an angle to the opponent’s body, helping you avoid attacks like Triangle Choke or Armbar.
  • This positioning allows for efficient transitions to passes or counters.

Uses of Combat Base

Guard Passing

  • Guard Passes/Knee Cut: The posted leg can be used to initiate this guard pass by slicing through their Guard.
  • Toreando: The mobility of Combat Base makes it easier to circle around the opponent’s legs.
  • Over-Under Pass: The posture and base provide stability to pressure through their defenses.

Defensive Position

  • It defends against sweeps like the Scissor Sweep or Push Sweep by keeping the center of gravity balanced.
  • The compact position minimizes exposure to submissions.

Transitions

Drills to Master Combat Base

Combat Base Entry

  • Practice transitioning into Combat Base from a kneeling or standing position while maintaining control.

Grip Breaking

  • Work on removing Grips Overview while staying in Combat Base to ensure you’re ready for passes or counters.

Guard Passing from Combat Base

Key Details to Remember

  • Maintain a solid connection to your opponent while using Combat Base.
  • Keep your weight distribution balanced between your knee and foot to allow for quick adjustments.
  • Use frames to defend against attempts to pull you off-balance or trap you in submissions.

Combat Base is a fundamental position for controlling the pace of the fight, blending mobility with stability, and opening paths to guard passing or transitions. Mastery of this position is essential for both beginners and advanced practitioners.

Advancing Combat Base

Combat Base offers a mix of mobility and stability, enabling transitions, attacks, and counters with minimal risk. It is especially effective for initiating guard passes or regaining dominant positions.

Transitions from Combat Base

To Standing

  • Post the grounded knee, push off with the posted foot, and rise to a standing position while maintaining control of the opponent’s grips or guard.

To Half Guard Top

To Closed Guard

  • If pulled into guard, adjust your position to ensure stability and initiate grips for control.

To Guard Passes/Knee Cut Position

  • Pivot your posted foot, drop your knee through their thigh, and establish grips for the Guard Passes/Knee Cut.

Submissions from Combat Base

Guillotine

  • If the opponent reaches forward or turtles up, wrap their neck, secure a Gable Grip, and finish with a guard pull or standing variation.

Kimura

  • Attack their arm when they post or reach across; isolate the arm with a Figure-Four Grip and apply pressure to finish.

Wrist Lock

  • If they grip your lapel or sleeve, use leverage to fold their wrist into a submission.

Sweeps from Combat Base

Pendulum Swing to Sweep

  • Use the momentum of your opponent's attempt to off-balance you, grabbing their leg or arm and swinging your hips to flip them.

Push Sweep

  • Push their posted knee backward while gripping their sleeve or lapel, destabilizing them and coming on top.

Butterfly Sweep

Guard Passes from Combat Base

Guard Passes/Knee Cut

  • Use the posted foot to create pressure and slide your knee across their thigh, maintaining grips to prevent counter-sweeps.

Toreando Pass

  • Control their pant legs, lift their hips slightly, and circle around to Side Control using mobility.

Over-Under Pass

  • Drop your weight onto one leg, lift the other, and drive forward to pressure pass through their guard.

Windmill Pass

  • Utilize a quick backstep motion with the posted leg to clear their guard and establish control.

Takedowns from Combat Base

Guard Pull to Trip

  • Initiate a guard pull by gripping their collar or sleeve, then sweep their posted leg as they react.

Single-Leg Takedown

  • From the posted position, dive under their leg with a Single-Leg Grip and drive forward.

Snap-Down to Front Headlock

YouTube Videos