ヘッドクォーターズパス(Heddokwōtāzu Pasu)
TransliterationTranslation: headquarters pass
Headquarters (HQ) is a guard passing positional framework where the passer straddles one of the opponent's legs (shin trapped between the passer's legs), serving as a hub for chain-passing into multiple passes including knee cut, reverse knee cut, leg pummel to mount, and X-pass. [1] The term 'Headquarters' was coined by Rafael Lovato Jr. around 2011-2012 in his Ultimate Pressure Passing System (UPPS). [2] Lachlan Giles, JT Torres, and Jason Rau have also developed major instructional content on this position.
Term coined by Rafael Lovato Jr. (~2011-2012) in his Ultimate Pressure Passing System (UPPS). [1]
Revolutionary passing framework that provides a stable hub for chain-passing. Used at the highest levels of competition by Lovato, Giles, Torres, and Rau. [1]
Coined by Rafael Lovato Jr. (~2011-2012). Developed by Lachlan Giles, JT Torres, Jason Rau.
Rafael Lovato Jr.: IBJJF World Champion, Bellator MMA champion. Used HQ passing at world championship level.
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In this tutorial my friend @SifuKuttel and I will be demonstrating a tutorial how to perform a headlock and escape fro…
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Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
Positional control with no joint or choke threat
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Ultimate Pressure Passing System (Lovato Jr., BJJ Fanatics)
[1] Lovato Jr. — coined 'Headquarters' ~2011-2012
[2] Giles — comprehensive HQ instructional on Submeta
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
[1] Lovato Jr. — coined 'Headquarters' ~2011-2012
[2] Giles — comprehensive HQ instructional on Submeta
balance, chain-passing knowledge
quadriceps, core, hip flexors
Focus on cinching through the head with both arm pressure and counter pressure from your body pushing into it. According to Martial Arts Viking, this combination creates a much tighter control when executed properly, rather than just relying on arm strength alone.
Position your forearm across the jaw while squeezing in, and turn your head towards your opponent while maintaining a good stance and distributing your weight. This setup creates significant pressure while keeping you balanced and in control, as explained by Martial Arts Viking.
Get behind the opponent's leg and apply pressure to their face (which creates discomfort), then tip over the leg while pulling the head back so the head follows. According to Martial Arts Viking, this setup can throw them to the ground or at least pull them off balance.
Headquarters (HQ) is a guard passing positional framework where the passer straddles one of the opponent's legs (shin trapped between the passer's legs), serving as a hub for chain-passing into multiple passes including knee cut, reverse knee cut, leg pummel to mount, and X-pass. The term 'Headquarters' was coined by Rafael Lovato Jr.
Term coined by Rafael Lovato Jr. (~2011-2012) in his Ultimate Pressure Passing System (UPPS).
IBJJF: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; IJF: legal — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part of newaza; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; Unified MMA: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
Danger rating 1/10. Positional control with no joint or choke threat
The standard setup chain: Break open guard → Split opponent's legs → Clear feet from hips → Settle weight over one trapped shin → Establish HQ → Choose direction: knee cut, backstep, X-pass, or leg pummel to mount.
Standard counters include: Knee shield — prevent the shin from being trapped / Butterfly hook recovery — reinsert hooks before HQ is established / Inversion — escape underneath before weight is settled / Leg pummel — pummel the trapped leg free.
Common variants: Standard HQ (basic shin control); HQ to knee cut (most common chain); HQ to reverse knee cut (backstep direction); HQ to mount via leg pummel (direct mount entry); HQ to X-pass (lateral exit).
Rafael Lovato Jr. : IBJJF World Champion, Bellator MMA champion.
Top errors to watch for: Not settling weight properly — must be heavy on the trapped shin / Not choosing a direction — HQ is a launching point, not a resting place / Allowing the opponent to recover guard — must maintain shin control / Leaning too far forward — exposes to sweeps.
The Headquarters Pass Execution is also known as Heddokwōtāzu Pasu, Standard Headquarters Pass, Headquarters Pass, HQ Pass, HQ Position.
