Your First Takedown
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Your first takedown / learning corner

Name the position: an MMA ground quiz

Identify guard, half guard, mount and back control in original diagrams, then follow the matching MMA lesson.

Look at the relationship between the hips, legs and torso. The text beside each original diagram provides the same clues for readers who cannot see it. Independent coach review is pending.

0 of 4 answered

Round 01

Which position is shown?

A red athlete lies on their back, with both legs working around the kneeling blue partner.

A red athlete lies on their back, with both legs working around the kneeling blue partner.

Your answer

Reveal the answer and reasoning

Guard. The bottom athlete uses the legs around the partner. Guard is a family of positions, not a single grip.

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Round 02

Which position is shown?

Blue straddles red’s torso from above. Red’s legs are not enclosing either blue leg.

Blue straddles red’s torso from above. Red’s legs are not enclosing either blue leg.

Your answer

Reveal the answer and reasoning

Mount. The top athlete is astride the torso, outside the bottom athlete’s legs.

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Round 03

Which position is shown?

The bottom red athlete’s legs enclose one of the top blue athlete’s legs.

The bottom red athlete’s legs enclose one of the top blue athlete’s legs.

Your answer

Reveal the answer and reasoning

Half guard. The identifying clue is the single trapped leg.

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Round 04

Which position is shown?

A blue athlete sits behind a red athlete, facing the same way with upper-body and leg control.

A blue athlete sits behind a red athlete, facing the same way with upper-body and leg control.

Your answer

Reveal the answer and reasoning

Back control. The controlling athlete is behind the partner. This diagram identifies the position, not a submission.

Study this position →

Recognising a diagram is a vocabulary check. It does not establish readiness for live grappling or strikes.

Take it to the next round

Recognize side control, mount and back controlClosed guard, open guard and half guard in MMAMMA glossary