The Fundamental Guard Techniques

The foundational principles of guard retention & offense from the bottom position. It details the essential pathways from closed guard, half guard, & reverse de la riva into sweeps & submissions. The practitioner will learn to recognize positional opportunities & execute classical techniques w/ proper timing & leverage. Switch if it stalls

Flow outline

  1. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

    • Key detail: the foundational art of ground fighting, emphasizing leverage, technique, and positional control

  2. Bottom Half Guard

    • Often A defensive and offensive position from the bottom, utilizing underhooks and leg entanglements to off-balance the opponent and create sweeping or submission opportunities

  3. Power Kimura

    • If they frame, if it shows up, a powerful shoulder lock submission applied from the kimura grip, utilizing body positioning and leverage to isolate the opponent's arm

  4. Kimura Sweep

    • Key detail: a classical sweep executed by using the kimura grip to off-balance the opponent, rolling them over the shoulder to achieve the top position. switch if it stalls

  5. Old School Sweep

    • Once set, usually a fundamental half guard sweep. the practitioner secures an underhook, blocks the cross-face, and uses the far foot to elevate and roll the opponent. timing beats strength

  6. Deep Half Guard

    • Key detail: most of the time a specialized variation of half guard where the practitioner buries themselves deep under the opponent's hips, creating powerful sweeping angles and destabilizing the top player's base

  7. Bottom Closed Guard

    • If they frame, quick note: the primary closed guard position, controlling the opponent between the legs. from here, one attacks with armlocks, triangles, chokes, and a variety of sweeps based on the opponent's posture and reactions. angle matters

  8. Arm Bar Or Triangle

    • High-percentage submission attacks from the closed guard when the opponent's posture is broken. The armbar attacks the elbow joint, while the triangle choke constricts the carotid arteries

  9. Hip Bump Sweep

    • Key detail: often a fundamental closed guard sweep. the practitioner bridges into the opponent, bumping them forward over their head to reverse the position

  10. Guillotine Or Kimura

    • From here, if it shows up, submission attacks available when the opponent posts to defend the hip bump sweep. the guillotine attacks the neck, while the kimura attacks the shoulder

  11. Hanging Triangle

    • From here, often a triangle choke attack initiated from the closed guard against a postured opponent, often set up by controlling the head and arm

  12. Tripod Sweep

    • A sweep executed when the opponent stands in the guard. The practitioner elevates the hips, hooks one leg, and pushes the opposite knee to topple the opponent

  13. Muscle Sweep

    • Once set, if it shows up, a powerful closed guard sweep against a standing opponent, utilizing a strong grip on the sleeve and collar to pull the opponent off balance and over. angle matters

  14. Lumberjack Sweep

    • If they frame, a sweep from closed guard against a standing opponent. the practitioner controls both legs and uses a scissoring motion to cut the opponent down. timing beats strength

  15. Reverse De La Riva

    • If they frame, an open guard position where the practitioner uses a reverse de la riva hook on the opponent's near leg, creating angles for sweeps and back takes

  16. Spin To Kiss Of The Dragon And Back Take

    • If they frame, most of the time a dynamic sequence from reverse de la riva. the practitioner spins under the opponent's leg into the 'kiss of the dragon' position to secure the back

  17. Spin Sweep

    • From here, most of the time a sweep executed by spinning under the opponent's leg when they sit back, using momentum and leverage to come on top

  18. Knee Bar

    • If they frame, most of the time a leg lock submission attacking the knee joint, available when the opponent sits to the side from certain open guard entanglements

  19. Use Lockdown To Reset Or Do Old School Sweep

    • Key detail: a defensive and offensive maneuver from half guard. the lockdown is applied to neutralize pressure, allowing for a reset of position or to set up the old school sweep

Branch conditions