K-Guard from Closed Guard: Entries and Upper Body Submissions

A system for entering K-Guard from closed guard, establishing control, and transitioning to triangles, armbars, and leg entries based on opponent reactions.

Flow outline

1. Closed Guard Setup

   • Establish closed guard and create conditions for K-Guard entry by manipulating opponent's posture.
   • Use upper body threats like guillotines or armbars to encourage opponent to posture up
   • Elevate hips high on opponent's hip to create space for leg entry
   • Knees squeeze opponent's floating ribs to pull their weight forward

2. Basic K-Guard Entry

   • Insert the knee inside the guard to establish the foundational K-Guard control structure.
   • Drive knee inside guard until foot hooks opponent's hip and knee touches mat
   • Close-side arm controls back of opponent's knee to trap their leg
   • Far-side knee frames high under opponent's armpit to manage upper body distance

3. K-Guard Upper Body Control

   • Use the free hand and knee frame to manage opponent's posture and prevent being smashed.
   • Forearm frames against opponent's chest or crossface attempt
   • Free hand can post on lat to pull opponent down or push them away
   • Knee frame maintains space, preventing opponent from settling weight

4. Triangle Setup from Crossface

   • Counter opponent's crossface pressure by circling the leg out and attacking the neck.
   • Maintain control of opponent's tricep or armpit on the crossfacing side
   • Circle the far-side leg outward, breaking the crossface pressure
   • Pull knee towards opponent's face to create angle for leg over shoulder

5. Standard Triangle Finish

   • Complete the triangle by switching grips and locking the figure-four around the neck and arm.
   • Switch grip to control opponent's elbow as you bring leg across
   • Drag elbow across body while swinging leg over to secure position
   • Lock figure-four and adjust angle by bringing hips up to finish

6. Inverted Triangle Finish

   • An alternative finish where you lift the hips to apply a tighter, more inverted triangle.
   • Keep control of opponent's armpit instead of switching to elbow grip
   • Lift hips high to bring them to the level of opponent's neck
   • Reach in with leg and squeeze knees together to finish the choke

7. Armbar from Leg Control

   • Attack when opponent defends leg locks by grabbing your secondary foot, exposing their arm.
   • Grab opponent's wrist as they control your far-side foot
   • Kick leg loose to break their grip and create space
   • Shoot over the controlled arm, using K-Guard frame to prevent underhook passes

8. Switch to Far-Side Heel Hook

   • Counter opponent extending their leg to defend by spinning underneath to attack the other leg.
   • As opponent extends leg to block initial entry, remove your inside hook
   • Spin underneath their body to establish K-Guard on the opposite side
   • Frame opponent over and secure inside heel hook on the newly exposed leg

Branch conditions

• when opponent postures up or leans forward, creating space for knee insertion
• to prevent being smashed, using free hand to frame and manage upper body distance
• if opponent applies crossface pressure, control tricep and circle leg to break it
• after breaking crossface, switch grip to elbow and drag it across for standard triangle
• maintaining armpit control, lift hips high to finish with an inverted triangle
• when opponent grabs your secondary foot to defend leg entries, exposing their arm
• if opponent extends leg to block initial K-Guard entry, spin underneath to opposite side