Jeremy's KILLER Cradle!! Check THIS Out!!
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Friendship Position·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian
This video my boy Jeremy demonstrates this crazy leg cradle that he has been using to submit people! Check out the deta…
Friendship Position
SubFamilyFriendship・ポジション(Friendship Position)
Translation: friendship position
Overview
The Friendship Position is a guard top posture where both fighters have mutual grips on each other's biceps, creating a temporary neutral position. [1] BJ Penn uses this position as a control point before initiating guard passes or ground-and-pound sequences. [1]
Friendship Guard TopBJ Penn Friendship
History & Origin
Friendship Position is a technique documented in BJ Penn's comprehensive MMA system. [1]
Effectiveness
Proven in UFC-level competition by BJ Penn and training partners. [1]
Lineage
Modern MMA methodology; BJ Penn / Greg Jackson lineage. [1]
Competition Record
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — MMA-specific positional mechanics for Friendship Position
Joints Involved — Full body — hips, shoulders, legs
Force Vector — Position-specific
Position & Entry
From MMA context — Execute friendship position
Variants
Standard Friendship Position
Modified Friendship Position
Videos
1 video
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Positional technique
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— IJF — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — ground...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from ...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points por...
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — no penalty for playing guard
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Practise in MMA-specific sparring with strikes (Penn et al., 2007)
Common Mistakes
!Losing base
!Not maintaining control
!Poor transitions
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Engagement → Friendship Position → Advance position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge (Penn, Cordoza & Krauss, 2007)
1Book[1] Penn, B.J., Cordoza, G. and Krauss, E. (2007). Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9777315-6-5.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Penn, B
2Citation[1] Penn, B.J., Cordoza, G. and Krauss, E. (2007). Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9777315-6-5.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Penn, B
Community
Athletics
MMA-specific body control and pressure
Notes
The friendship position is a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu control position — named in Eddie Bravo's distinctive pop-culture naming system. Part of the half guard/lockdown progression. (Bravo, 10th Planet system)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up a cradle properly?
Coach Brian emphasizes getting heavy on your opponent and using a cross face to lift their head up, which allows you to establish the cradle position. Make sure to block their elbow and prevent the head from slipping out once you have them locked in.
What's the key to making a cradle more effective?
Going deep with your forearm and getting as heavy as possible on your opponent will increase the pressure and make the cradle harder to escape. Coach Brian notes this approach works even against larger opponents.
What should I watch out for when defending against a cradle?
Common escape options include pull and peel to remove the cradle lock, or defending your leg to prevent follow-up attacks. You may also need to blow your arm out if your opponent applies too much pressure.
How does the Friendship Position work?
The Friendship Position is a guard top posture where both fighters have mutual grips on each other's biceps, creating a temporary neutral position. BJ Penn uses this position as a control point before initiating guard passes or ground-and-pound sequences.
Where does the Friendship Position come from?
Friendship Position is a technique documented in BJ Penn's comprehensive MMA system.
Is the Friendship Position legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from guard score 2 points; IJF: restricted — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — groundwork from guard permitted …; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points portion; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — no penalty for playing guard; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Friendship Position?
Danger rating 3/10. Positional technique
How do I set up the Friendship Position?
The standard setup chain: Engagement → Friendship Position → Advance position.
How do I defend against the Friendship Position?
Standard counters include: Guard retention / Frame and escape / Submission counter.
What are the variants of the Friendship Position?
Common variants: Standard Friendship Position; Modified Friendship Position.
How effective is the Friendship Position in competition?
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Friendship Position?
Top errors to watch for: Losing base / Not maintaining control / Poor transitions.
What are other names for the Friendship Position?
The Friendship Position is also known as Friendship Position, Friendship Guard Top, BJ Penn Friendship.