Basic Techniques of BJJ: The Closed Guard

Introduction: The Closed Guard

The closed guard is an essential position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It allows you to control your opponent and prepare attacks. In this article, we will detail the key aspects of this technique and how to use it effectively.

What is the Closed Guard?

This guard involves the practitioner on the bottom wrapping their legs around the opponent’s waist on top. This position allows for control and offers multiple options for attack and defense. Often studied early in Jiu-Jitsu training, this guard also finds great success at high levels due to its formidable effectiveness despite its apparent simplicity. Additionally, escaping this guard poses numerous challenges for the opponent, making it a powerful weapon at all levels!

The Basics of the Closed Guard

• Wrist Control: Maintain a tight grip on the opponent’s wrists to limit their movements.
• Hip Movement: Use your hips to unbalance the opponent and create openings for attacks.

Techniques and Submissions from the Closed Guard

• Kimura: An effective arm lock that can be initiated from wrist control.
• Triangle: Use your legs to trap the opponent in a choke.
• Armbar: Transition to an arm lock when the opponent tries to escape.

The Advantages of the Closed Guard

This guard offers several benefits for the practitioner on the bottom, including:

• Control: By limiting the opponent’s movements, you can dictate the pace of the fight.
• Preparing Attacks: The position allows for various submissions and transitions.
• Effective Defense: With a solid closed guard, you can defend against the opponent’s attempts to pass your guard.

Examples of Variations

There are several variations of the guard that you can use to surprise your opponent and adapt your game:

• High Guard: By raising your legs higher on the opponent’s back, you can increase control and prepare attacks like the triangle.
• Angled Guard: By creating an angle with your hips, you can open up opportunities for submissions like the armbar or kimura.

Exercises to Improve Your Position

Practice these exercises regularly:

• Repositioning Drills: Work on reestablishing your guard when the opponent tries to pass it.
• Submission Training: Practice common submissions from this guard to execute them quickly and effectively.
• Hip Movements: Strengthen your hip movements to unbalance your opponent and create openings.

Learn the Closed Guard with Roger Gracie:

In this video, Roger Gracie explains some details of his use of this technique.

You can search for his matches where you can see his guard in action!

For a good overview of sweeps from this position, here is a highlight of Rudson Mateus offered by FloGrappling:

Key Takeaways:

The closed guard is a versatile position that offers numerous offensive and defensive opportunities. By mastering the basics and practicing regularly, you can improve your overall BJJ game.