Closed Guard
Progression – WATCH THE FULL VIDEOS BEFORE CLASS!!
Concepts
Lesson Plans
Additional Information – Read before Class
Goal
From Top
- Pass the legs. Do not try to submit your opponent from inside the guard. Pass the guard or go into a leg entanglement.
From Bottom
- Sweep to get on top or Submit
Head Positioning
From Top
- Your head should be up. Forehead looking forward, not looking down.
From Bottom
- Head positioning is not super important from the bottom but you should try to have the head slightly elevated off the mat.
Leg Positioning
From Top
- Have your toes on the mat
From Bottom
- Have your legs wrapping around your opponent. You can also sit out to a side and have your top knee holding their back down.
Grips
From Top
- Try to create frames against them on their hips and chest so they can’t come up and so you can break open their legs
- Hands on biceps or Below the sternum. Also acceptable but risk to trap one arm behind their back for a colorado pass
From Bottom
- Collar and Sleeve Grip – One hand grabs the gi collar or the head the other hand grabs the gi sleeve or wrist.
- Overhook Grip – One arm goes over one of their arms
- Underhook Grip – One arm goes under your opponent’s armpit
- Double Lapel Grip – Both hands grab your opponents collar and pull down
- Cross Collar Grip
- Cross Sleeve Grips
- Falcon Guard
Grip Breaks
- Lapel Grip Breaks
- Hips Up and Pop Lapel Break – Gi Only
- Figure Four Lapel Grip Break – Gi Only
- Sleeve and Arm Grip Breaks
- Cross Sleeve Break (Wrist Curl) – GI Only
Distance
From Top
- You want to keep your distance away from your opponent. Don’t allow them to sit up.
From Bottom
- You want to play super tight or super long. Both work well, just try not to play in the middle. So you should be super tight where it is hard for your opponent to move with their posture broken or so long that they cannot grab your head.
Opponents Submission Setups
From Opponent on Top
- Dropping back for a straight ankle lock or into a leg entanglement
- They can grab your collar and do a choke called Amassa pao
Weight Analysis
From the Top
- Your weight needs to be on your butt for the most part with your toes on the mat.
- Do not allow your opponent to pull you forward.
- Try to be one mass straight – Similar to when you squat in lifting. Back straight and head up.
From Bottom
- Your weight will be on the mat but you can manipulate it by getting off to the side and pinching your knee down on their back.
Ideal Body Type
- Works for all body types but typically people with longer legs have better guards due to the ability to keep their opponent inside their legs.
Leverage Points
From Top
- Sternum (Post on the Sternum)
- Hips (Post on the Hips)
- Wrists (Control the Wrist by trapping and posting on it)
From Bottom
- Hips (Use your foot on their hip to create angles on your opponent)
- Head (Pull down the head to bring their weight forward and eliminate the ability to pass)
Pro Grappler to Review
Roger Gracie