Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that emphasizes ground fighting and submission grappling. One of the most crucial aspects of BJJ is the guard position, which allows a practitioner to control their opponent and set up various sweeps, submissions, and escapes. Understanding and mastering different types of guards is essential for any BJJ practitioner, whether they are a beginner or an advanced competitor. Champion Jiu Jitsu would like to explore some of the top guards you need to know in BJJ.
Closed Guard
The closed guard is one of the most fundamental positions in BJJ. It involves wrapping your legs around your opponent’s waist, keeping your feet locked together. This guard provides a high level of control over your opponent. From the closed guard, you can execute various submissions such as the armbar, triangle choke, hip hump sweep and kimura. It’s also a great position to transition to other guards.
Open Guard
In the open guard, your legs are not locked around your opponent. Instead, you use your legs and feet to control their movements while maintaining distance. The open guard offers more mobility and a wider range of attacks compared to the closed guard. It’s essential for creating angles and setting up sweeps and submissions.
Spider Guard
The spider guard involves using your feet to control your opponent’s arms, often by placing your feet on their biceps while holding their sleeves. This guard is excellent for controlling an opponent’s posture and creating openings for sweeps and submissions. It’s particularly effective in gi (with the kimono) grappling.
De La Riva Guard
Named after Ricardo de la Riva, this guard involves hooking one leg around the outside of your opponent’s leg, while controlling their sleeve or collar with your hands. The De La Riva guard is highly versatile and can be used for a variety of sweeps and transitions. It’s particularly effective against standing opponents.
Butterfly Guard
In the butterfly guard, you sit up with your legs bent and feet hooked inside your opponent’s thighs. You control their upper body with your hands. The butterfly guard is great for off-balancing your opponent and setting up powerful sweeps. It works well in both gi and no-gi grappling.
Half Guard
The half guard involves having one of your opponent’s legs trapped between your own legs. This position can be either top or bottom. The half guard is a transitional position that can lead to sweeps, submissions, or transitioning to other guards. It’s particularly useful for players who prefer a heavy pressure game. Some of the key half guard techniques include old school sweep, lockdown and deep half guard sweep.
X-Guard
The X-guard involves using your legs to entangle your opponent’s legs while you are underneath them. This guard offers excellent control and leverage. The X-guard is powerful for sweeping opponents and creating opportunities to take the back or transition to dominant positions. Key X-guard techniques are X-guard sweep, technical stand-up sweep, and single-leg X-guard.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Mixed Martial Arts in Chesterfield, Michigan (Just Minutes from New Baltimore, Anchor Bay, New Haven, Fair Haven, Marine City, Algonac, Harsens Island, Clay Twp, Casco, Macomb, Macomb Twp, and Richmond, MI)
Mastering different guard positions is essential for any BJJ practitioner. Each guard offers unique advantages and can be used to control, sweep, and submit your opponent. By understanding and practicing these top guards, you will become a more versatile and effective grappler. The key to success in BJJ is continuous learning and adaptation, so keep exploring and refining your guard game. For BJJ training, come and join us at Champion Jiu Jitsu today.
