Why good top pressure is more skill than strength

In both BJJ and MMA, good top pressure is often misunderstood as something only heavy or muscular fighters can master. But in reality, top pressure is far more about finesse than brute strength. The best grapplers and MMA athletes create pressure through balance, bodyweight placement, positioning and perfectly timed movements. That makes it a skill not just a matter of size.

Are you seriously working on your top game? Then it starts with quality gear that helps you control your body. Think of grappling shorts that don’t shift, compression rashguards and training tools that let you practise pressure safely. You’ll find all of it at Fightstyle.nl.

Positioning before weight: How to apply real pressure

Many beginners simply try to “drop” their bodyweight into side control or mount. But without correct positioning, that works against you. Effective top pressure comes from directing your weight properly: diagonally, onto the center of the chest, across the shoulders, or with a head-post.

During drills, always wear rashguards with grip zones and shorts with a secure waistband that you don’t need to adjust during transitions. The technique lies in the small details: a few centimeters in chest placement can determine whether your opponent can still breathe—or not.

Balance = Pressure without wasted energy

Good top pressure also means staying balanced. The better your balance, the more pressure you can apply without wasting energy. It’s about shifting weight, not squeezing or pushing.

Practise this on grappling dummies or with partners while you slowly move your weight from upper body to hip, or from elbow to head. Wear fightwear that moves with you so you stay smooth during micro-adjustments. Once you’re balanced, even 70 kilos can feel like 100.

Applying pressure without muscle tension

A common mistake beginners make is squeezing with arms or legs to simulate pressure. But real top pressure requires relaxation. You use your skeletal structure and gravity—not your muscles.

Compression rashguards help stabilize your upper body during static pressure moments. Combine them with breathable shorts so your hips stay free during transitions or knee slides. By learning where to relax, you can apply pressure endlessly without burning out.

Learning to breathe under pressure (and above it)

Effective top pressure takes your own breathing and your opponent’s into account. By applying weight just below the diaphragm, you directly influence their breathing rhythm. You feel when they inhale, and at that moment you add a little extra pressure. That disruption makes your top game dominant.

Wear fightwear that regulates temperature so your own breathing stays calm under physical stress. Train with partners who understand pressure so you also learn what it feels like when you’re underneath it. Pressure only works when applied at the right moment.

Control points: Head pressure, crossface and underhooks

Top pressure only becomes truly effective when combined with control points. Think of crossfaces to block the neck, head posts to cut off movement, or a deep underhook to isolate the upper body. You’re not just applying pressure, you’re taking control.

For these grips, stretchy rashguard material is essential so your reach isn’t restricted. Combine that with grappling shorts with side slits, so your knees move freely during transitions. Control = pressure + isolation. Anyone who understands that dominates from the top.

No-gi top pressure: Less grip, more precision

In no-gi, you don’t have sleeves or collars to hold onto, so you must work with body position, pressure points and movement. Top pressure becomes even more technical here. Every centimeter matters, and every mistake is punished.

Wear rashguards with anti-slip texture and shorts that stay in place even when dripping with sweat. This keeps you stable while maintaining pressure crucial in no-gi rolling. In no-gi: if you slide, you lose. If you stick, you win.

Top pressure vs. scrambles: Bringing calm into chaos

During scrambles, everyone is moving and this is exactly where good top pressure makes the difference. If you control the center of the body, you can end a scramble in your favor. By quickly applying pressure to the hips or ribs, you stop movement and regain control.

Train this with functional training tools that help you simulate realistic situations. Wear fightwear that doesn’t shift and supports you during turns, posts and slides. Good top pressure is the anchor in every scramble: stable, powerful and controlled.

Want to transform your top pressure from brute to technical?

Invest in gear that supports your movement, balance and pressure. Check out the rashguards, grappling shorts, training tools and no-gi BJJ equipment at Fightstyle.nl—specially selected for fighters who want to achieve more dominance with less effort.