The Guard
The guard is one of the most basic positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It’s a position where you’re lying on your back with your legs wrapped around your opponent’s waist. The guard can be used for both defensive and offensive purposes, and it’s a position that every BJJ practitioner should have in their arsenal. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the guard position and explore some of the most effective techniques you can use from this position.
The Basic Guard
The most basic form of the guard is called the closed guard. In this position, you wrap your legs around your opponent’s waist and interlock your feet, essentially creating a “closed” position. This allows you to control your opponent’s movements and prevent them from passing your guard. From the closed guard, there are a number of different techniques you can use to sweep your opponent, submit them, or stand up and disengage.
Sweeps from the Guard
One of the most effective ways to use the guard is to sweep your opponent onto their back. This puts you in a dominant position and allows you to score points in competition. One of the most common sweeps from the closed guard is the hip bump sweep. To execute this sweep, you’ll use your hips to lift your opponent’s weight off of you, creating an opportunity to sweep them to the side. From there, you can establish a dominant position such as the mount or the back.
Submissions from the Guard
Another way to use the guard is to look for submission opportunities. From the closed guard, you can use a number of different techniques to submit your opponent, including the armbar, triangle choke, and omoplata. Each of these techniques involves manipulating your opponent’s arm or neck to create a submission hold.
Standing up from the Guard
Finally, it’s important to know how to stand up and disengage from the guard when necessary. To do this, you’ll want to create space between yourself and your opponent. One effective way to do this is to use your feet to push off of your opponent’s hips and create distance. From there, you can stand up and either disengage or look for an opportunity to attack.
Conclusion
The guard is an essential position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and every practitioner should have a strong guard game. From the closed guard, there are a number of different techniques you can use to sweep, submit, or stand up and disengage. By mastering these techniques, you’ll be able to control your opponent and create opportunities for victory. So, next time you’re on your back, remember the power of the guard position and all the possibilities it offers.