In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), the concept of guards lies at the very heart of the art. A guard is a position where the practitioner on the bottom uses their body mechanics—typically their legs and hips—to control, defend against, or attack an opponent. Guards are not merely defensive positions; they are strategic platforms that offer endless possibilities for sweeps, submissions, and transitions. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner, understanding the wide variety of guards is crucial for developing a well-rounded BJJ game.
This page is your ultimate guide to BJJ guards, aggregating all sub-pages dedicated to specific guards. Here, you’ll find detailed breakdowns, techniques, and strategies for mastering each type of guard, from the fundamental positions to the most innovative and advanced setups.
What is a Guard in BJJ?
At its core, the guard is a position where the practitioner on the bottom uses their legs, hips, and grips to control the opponent on top. Unlike other martial arts where being on your back might be seen as a disadvantage, BJJ revolutionized ground fighting by making the guard an offensive and defensive powerhouse.
The primary goals of the guard are:
- Control: Prevent the opponent from passing into a dominant position.
- Attack: Set up submissions such as armbars, chokes, and leg locks.
- Transition: Use sweeps and maneuvers to reverse the position or advance to a dominant one.
The diversity of guards in BJJ ensures that practitioners can adapt to different opponents, body types, and strategies. Each guard type comes with unique mechanics, making them suitable for various scenarios, gi or no-gi settings, and levels of expertise.
Why Are Guards So Important in BJJ?
The guard is not just a position; it’s a strategy. A practitioner who understands and utilizes guards effectively can dictate the pace and direction of the match, even from the bottom position. Guards teach:
01
Leverage Over Strength
Use technique and angles to neutralize larger or stronger opponents.
02
Speed and Adaptability
Transition seamlessly between guards to counter opponents’ strategies.
03
Offense and Defense
Combine control with attacks to keep the opponent constantly reacting.
Mastering guards means gaining the ability to control the chaos of a fight, turning seemingly disadvantageous positions into opportunities to dominate.
What to Expect on This Page
On this page, you’ll find a detailed introduction to each type of guard in BJJ. Whether you’re interested in mastering the basics, such as the closed guard, or exploring advanced systems like the worm guard, each sub-page dives deep into the mechanics, techniques, and strategies of that specific guard.
Expect to learn:
- Key setups and transitions.
- Step-by-step instructions for sweeps and submissions.
- Common mistakes to avoid.
- Drills and exercises to improve your guard game.
Categories of Guards in BJJ
7
Guard Types
We divided all known Guards in 7 distinct categories, in order to structure your learning experience.
25+
Guards
We have detailed guides on all possible BJJ guards, with tips and tricks on how to master them.
50+
Videos
Each position has linked videos so you can watch experts execute on the strategies we teach.
Fundamental Guards
Fundamental guards form the backbone of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and are often the first positions learned by beginners. These include the closed guard, where the legs lock around the opponent’s waist to provide control and submission opportunities; the open guard, which emphasizes dynamic footwork and grip control for mobility and attacks; and the half guard, a versatile position where one leg is trapped, allowing for sweeps and defenses. These guards are essential for building a solid foundation and transitioning into more advanced techniques. Here are the fundamental guards we explore:
- Closed Guard: Legs locked around the opponent’s waist, offering control and attack options.
- Open Guard: Legs are not locked, allowing for mobility and dynamic attacks.
- Half Guard: The practitioner traps one of the opponent’s legs while defending or attacking.
Dynamic Guards
Dynamic guards add a layer of complexity and mobility to a practitioner’s game. Positions such as the spider guard, where feet control the opponent’s biceps, and the De La Riva guard, which involves hooking one leg around the opponent’s, are designed for fluid movement and effective sweeps. Other examples like the X-guard and butterfly guard emphasize off-balancing and controlling the opponent to create sweeping opportunities. These guards require precise timing and adaptability, making them staples for advanced players:
- Spider Guard: Uses grips on the sleeves and feet on the biceps for control and sweeps.
- De La Riva Guard: A versatile guard where one leg hooks around the opponent’s leg.
- Reverse De La Riva Guard: The hook is applied to the inside of the opponent’s leg.
- Lasso Guard: One leg wraps around the opponent’s arm while maintaining sleeve control.
- X-Guard: Both legs are under the opponent, controlling their legs for sweeps.
- Single-Leg X-Guard: A variation of X-Guard focusing on controlling one leg.
- Butterfly Guard: Feet are hooked under the opponent’s thighs, often used for sweeps.
Specialised Guards
Specialized guards cater to specific scenarios and are highly effective when mastered. The deep half guard, for instance, positions the practitioner underneath the opponent for sweeping advantages, while the 50/50 guard creates a neutral leg entanglement often used in leg lock battles. Variations like the tornado guard and knee shield guard provide unique angles and distance control, allowing practitioners to defend, attack, and transition with precision:
- Deep Half Guard: The practitioner is deeply underneath the opponent, controlling one leg.
- Z-Guard: A half-guard variation with a knee shield for distance control.
- Tornado Guard: A dynamic inverted guard used for sweeps and submissions.
- 50/50 Guard: Both practitioners are entangled with legs, often leading to leg lock battles.
- Knee Shield Guard: A half-guard variant with the top knee acting as a shield for distance control.
Inverted Guards
Inverted guards showcase the creativity and flexibility of BJJ by using upside-down positions to control and attack opponents. The inverted guard allows practitioners to defend and counter from unorthodox angles, while the upside-down De La Riva combines inversion with effective leg hooks to launch surprise sweeps and submissions. These guards require high-level balance, coordination, and an advanced understanding of movement:
- Inverted Guard: The practitioner is upside down, controlling the opponent with legs.
- Upside-Down De La Riva: Combines De La Riva with an inverted position for advanced setups.
Innovative Guards
Innovative guards push the boundaries of BJJ by integrating new techniques and strategies into the game. The worm guard and laplace guard use the opponent’s gi lapel to establish leverage and disrupt their balance, creating opportunities for advanced sweeps and submissions. Meanwhile, the rubber guard uses extreme flexibility to trap and control the opponent’s posture, and the octopus guard introduces creative setups for attacks from unexpected positions:
- Worm Guard: Uses the opponent’s lapel to create leverage and control.
- Laplace Guard: Another lapel-based guard focusing on advanced control and sweeps.
- Rubber Guard: A flexible guard that uses the leg to trap and control the opponent’s posture.
- Octopus Guard: A unique guard involving wrapping the body around the opponent from the side.
Gi-Specific Guards
Gi-specific guards leverage the unique grips and material of the gi to enhance control and attack options. The lapel guard, for example, uses the opponent’s lapel to establish strong leverage, while the cross guard employs both grips and positioning to execute sweeps and submissions effectively. These guards highlight the strategic advantage of using the gi to control the opponent in ways not possible in no-gi scenarios:
- Lapel Guard: Uses the opponent’s gi lapel to create leverage and control.
- Cross Guard: A guard using grips on the gi and body positioning for sweeps and submissions.
No-Gi Guards
No-gi guards rely on body mechanics and hooks rather than fabric grips, emphasizing adaptability in faster-paced scenarios. The K-guard focuses on creating leg entanglements for effective attacks, while ashi garami and the saddle position prioritize control and setup for leg locks. These guards showcase the versatility of BJJ in no-gi settings, allowing practitioners to maintain control and attack without relying on traditional grips:
- K-Guard: A no-gi guard focusing on leg entanglements and attacks.
- Ashi Garami: A leg entanglement guard commonly used for leg locks.
- Saddle Position: A control-based guard for attacking legs in no-gi settings.
Conclusion
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the guard is a testament to the art’s philosophy of technique over strength. With a deep understanding of guards, you unlock a world of possibilities, enabling you to control, attack, and transition from the bottom. Dive into our detailed guides on each guard to enhance your game and gain a strategic edge in your BJJ journey.