Reference framework
The Invariants
Mechanical truths that hold regardless of body type, size, style, or lineage. The foundation of every technique page on this site.
"Invariants are things that must happen in order for something to occur."
An invariant is not an opinion. It is not "how I was taught." It is a structural law of grappling — a mechanical truth that holds regardless of who applies it. Every technique page on this site cites the invariant it expresses. Reading the invariant before the technique is reading the reason before the instruction.
The invariants index will grow as content phases progress. Universal invariants are complete; domain-specific invariants for each position family are added as that family's content is published.
Featured this week: a single invariant paired with the techniques that express it and the beliefs it corrects. Browse the weekly archive →
Universal invariants
Hold across all positions and contexts.
Connection eliminates space and transfers weight
Inside position controls the outside
Structural resistance must be disrupted before submission
Force angle determines leverage, not size
Frames redirect perpendicular; fail when opposing
Base is weight over the support point
Connection is the prerequisite for control
Positional advantage is the prerequisite for submission
Joints attacked against natural range reach danger faster
Space is contested — neither player owns the space they create
The underhook controls the hip on that side
Rotation around a fixed point creates leverage
Destabilisation precedes control
Limb isolation requires removing it from the defensive system
Segmenting the body prevents unified defence
Escape mechanics require creating space before moving through it
Leg entanglement invariants
Specific to heel hook and entanglement positions.
Scramble invariants
Transitions, scrambles, and the wrestle-up framework. Credited to Craig Jones.
Submission invariants
Mechanical laws governing strangles and joint submissions.
Strangles require compression on both sides of the neck simultaneously
The target limb must be isolated from the body's defensive system
The secondary anchor must be controlled or removed
Arm-out strangles apply force more directly; arm-in strangles must compensate
Joint submissions require loading the joint to its structural limit
Standing / takedown invariants
Structural requirements for destabilisation and takedown completion.
Destabilising the opponent requires controlling the secondary leg
Hip access is the functional goal of all single-leg attacks
Destabilisation to the hands is advantage; to the hips is a takedown
Level change is the prerequisite for penetration on leg entries
Kuzushi is the sustained loading of weight onto the leg the attacker intends to remove
Bent-over posture in standing exchanges is functionally equivalent to mid-throw
Guard invariants
Structural truths from the bottom — foot line, facing, connections, hip mobility.
Passing invariants
Structural truths from the top — clear feet, hold knees, break connections.
Pin invariants
Structural truths of pinning — chest contact, hip coverage, flattening, underhooks.
Where each invariant is discussed
Reverse reference — concept pages (systems, ranges, dilemmas, gripping, scrambles) that cite each invariant. Technique pages that express each invariant are listed on the individual invariant page.
- INV-01
- Collar tie escalation ·Underhook escalation ·Seated guard grip escalation ·Arm drag to back ·Two-on-one to ashi garami ·Top position objectives ·Ashi garami: heel hook / back take ·Two-on-one: ashi garami / back take ·RNC and back attack system ·Closed guard system ·Knee slice passing system ·Half guard passing system ·Smash pass system
- INV-04
- Front headlock: guillotine / takedown ·Back position: RNC / arm triangle ·Leg entanglement: continue / reset ·Top half: smash pass / kimura ·Half guard: back take / sweep ·Butterfly: inside heel hook / sweep ·Standing: takedown / guard pull ·X guard: sweep / leg lock entry ·Turtle: gut wrench / leg entanglement ·Closed guard hip bump dilemma ·Back take scrambles ·Turtle attack and escape ·The dog fight ·Referee's position dynamics
- INV-07
- Collar tie escalation ·Underhook escalation ·Seated guard grip escalation ·Leg entanglement grip chains ·Top position objectives ·Two-on-one: ashi garami / back take
- INV-12
- Triangle system ·Anaconda / darce system ·Seated guard system ·Half guard passing system ·Leg drag passing system
- INV-13
- Underhook escalation ·Scramble objectives ·Standing objectives ·Shin shield system ·Butterfly guard system ·Torreando open guard passing ·The dog fight ·Half guard: back take / sweep
- INV-14
- Back position: RNC / arm triangle ·Mount: armbar / triangle / choke ·Top half: smash pass / kimura ·Kimura system
- INV-LE01
- Seated guard grip escalation ·Two-on-one to ashi garami ·Leg entanglement grip chains ·Ashi garami: heel hook / back take ·Two-on-one: ashi garami / back take