Closed Guard Flow

Flowing from closed guard through interconnected attacks, sweeps, and transitions.

Flow outline

  1. Closed Guard

    • If they frame, the foundational position where control begins, offering multiple pathways to attack, sweep, or transition based on your opponent's reactions

  2. Armlock

    • often a classic submission from the guard, applying pressure to isolate and hyperextend the elbow joint. timing beats strength

  3. Armlock

    • if it shows up, an alternative armlock pathway when clearing the opponent's defensive grips creates the opening. switch if it stalls

  4. Flower Sweep

    • A beautiful sweeping motion that uses the opponent's base against them, transitioning from guard to top position with fluid momentum

  5. Back System

    • Key detail: often the coveted back control position, offering multiple submission opportunities and dominant control through hooks and body locks

  6. Back Take From Arm Drag

    • Key detail: securing the back position directly from an arm drag, capitalizing on the opponent's off-balance to set control

  7. Pinch Headlock

    • Most of the time A controlling position that sets up back takes by isolating the head and creating opportunities to clear the defending arm

  8. Back System

    • If they frame, from here, re-establishing back control after the opponent attempts to relieve pressure, maintaining the flow of dominant positions

  9. Kata Gatame

    • A shoulder lock submission that flows naturally from attempted back takes when the opponent drives forward

  10. Back System

    • Returning to back control as the opponent turns to escape the kata gatame, demonstrating the circular nature of positional flow

  11. Hook Sweep

    • Key detail: a sweeping technique using butterfly hooks to reverse the position when the opponent drives forward, creating beautiful transitional movement

  12. Mount System

    • The dominant top position achieved through successful sweeps, offering high-percentage submissions and control options

  13. Triangle Choke

    • Usually A classic submission that flows from the armlock when the opponent pulls their arm out, using the legs to create choking pressure

  14. Enter The Legs

    • From here, Transitioning to leg entanglement positions when the opponent stands out of the triangle, maintaining offensive flow

  15. Pendulum Sweep

    • From here, from here, a sweeping technique that uses the opponent's resistance to create momentum, swinging them from guard to mounted position

  16. Top Lock

    • Key detail: usually a controlling position that sets up multiple submission pathways when the pendulum sweep isn't available

  17. Armlock

    • If they frame, a submission option from top lock, isolating the arm for a clean finish

  18. Lat Juji Or Te Garami

    • Key detail: alternative submission pathways from top lock, offering different angles of attack on the arm

  19. Te Garami

    • A straight arm lock that flows from the arm drag, capitalizing on the arm isolation created by the dragging motion. Switch if it stalls

Branch conditions