modern guard retention and transitions

interconnected pathways between modern open guard variations. offensive sequences and defensive counters from dynamic guard positions against standing and kneeling opponents.

Flow outline

  1. Open Guard Bottom

    • Once set, quick note: the foundational position for modern guard play, establishing distance management and grip hierarchies against standing or kneeling opponents. from here, you can transition to various specialized guards based on opponent reactions and available grips

  2. Straight Foot Lock Defense

    • Once set, if it shows up, countering the straight foot lock requires immediate hip elevation and leg pummeling to relieve pressure, followed by establishing a defensive guard position to prevent further leg entanglement attacks. timing beats strength

  3. Butterfly Guard

    • Usually Utilizing inside hooks for elevation and off-balancing, guard excels against kneeling opponents. The primary threat is the hook sweep, but it also serves as a transitional hub to other guards when opponents stand or change their base. Don’t force it

  4. Double Sleeve Control

    • Key detail: usually controlling both sleeves creates a strong for spider guard variations and prevents opponent's grip breaking attempts. control allows for off-balancing through push-pull mechanics and sets up lasso and triangle entries

  5. Collar Sleeve Control

    • From here, the collar grip superior control over opponent's posture while the sleeve grip enables off-balancing. combination is essential for setting up triangle attacks, omoplatas, and various sweeps from open guard positions

  6. Stack Pass Defense

    • Often When opponent attempts to stack pass, immediately create frames with knees and elbows to keep space. Use hip mobility to angle out and transition to defensive guards like lasso or spider to counter the pressure

  7. Triangle Choke

    • From here, The fundamental closed guard submission that transitions seamlessly from various open guard controls. Proper angle creation and hip elevation are critical for finishing against resisting opponents who defend the initial setup

  8. Armbar

    • From stack pass defense, the armbar becomes available when opponent overcommits to the pass. The key is maintaining control of the arm while creating the necessary hip angle to secure the submission before opponent can posture out

  9. Omoplata Sweep To Mount

    • If they frame, when the omoplata submission is defended through posture, transition to the sweep by controlling the trapped arm and using hip movement to off-balance opponent. finish by coming on top to set mount position. timing beats strength

  10. Spider Guard

    • using foot placement on biceps and sleeve control to create distance and off-balance standing opponents. guard multiple pathways to sweeps, submissions, and back takes through controlled manipulation of opponent's posture and base

  11. Omoplata

    • Once set, the shoulder lock submission from spider guard that attacks when opponent posts their hand. control of the sleeve and proper hip positioning are essential for securing the submission before opponent can rotate out of the position

  12. Take The Back

    • From spider guard, the back take becomes available when opponent attempts to pass to one side. Use the sleeve control to create an angle and insert the hook, transitioning smoothly to back control position

  13. Mount Top

    • the dominant top position achieved from successful sweeps. from here, set high mount control and work toward submissions while preventing opponent's hip escape and bridge attempts

  14. Lasso Guard

    • From here, most of the time the deep lasso variation where the leg wraps around opponent's arm, creating strong control and off-balancing opportunities. guard multiple sweeping options and direct submission pathways against both kneeling and standing opponents. timing beats strength

  15. Biceps Slicer

    • Key detail: the joint lock submission available from lasso sweep when opponent defends by posting. apply pressure through leg extension and hip movement to attack the biceps tendon before opponent can relieve the pressure. switch if it stalls

  16. Lasso Flower Sweep

    • Using the lasso hook to control opponent's posture while executing the traditional flower sweep mechanics. The key is maintaining the lasso control throughout the sweep to prevent opponent's counter movements. Timing beats strength

  17. Lasso Guard To Triangle Choke

    • If they frame, quick note: transitioning from lasso control to triangle by angling the hips and controlling opponent's posture. the lasso hook facilitates the entry by limiting opponent's ability to posture and defend the triangle setup. timing beats strength

  18. Shoulder Push Lasso Sweep

    • When opponent stands from lasso guard, use the shoulder push to off-balance while maintaining lasso control. creates the momentum needed to complete the sweep to top position

  19. Biceps Slicer

    • From here, From shoulder push lasso sweep, the biceps slicer becomes available when opponent posts to defend. Apply the submission through controlled pressure on the biceps tendon while maintaining positional control

  20. Tripod Sweep

    • Once set, the standing sweep that attacks opponent's base by elevating one leg while controlling the sleeve. sweep is particularly effective against opponents who keep an upright posture in open guard. timing beats strength

  21. Idiot Sweep

    • From butterfly guard, sweep capitalizes on opponent's forward pressure. Use the butterfly hooks to elevate while controlling the upper body, sweeping opponent to the side when they overcommit to passing

  22. De La Riva

    • The dynamic guard variation using the outside hook to control opponent's leg while managing distance. guard multiple sweeping and back taking opportunities against standing opponents through hook manipulation and grip fighting

  23. De La Riva Hook Sweep

    • using the dlr hook to off-balance opponent while controlling the sleeve. sweep works by elevating the hooked leg and using the sleeve control to direct opponent's fall to the side

  24. De La Riva Balloon Sweep

    • If they frame, most of the time the elevated sweep from dlr that uses the hook to lift opponent's leg while controlling the collar. creates the momentum to sweep opponent over to mount position. switch if it stalls

  25. De La Riva Back Take

    • Key detail: if it shows up, from dlr guard, transition to the back when opponent attempts to pass to the non-hooked side. use the hook to control opponent's movement while establishing the seatbelt grip to secure back control

  26. Backmount Bottom

    • The defensive position when opponent achieves back control. Focus on hand fighting to prevent choke setups while using hip movement to create space and work toward escape positions

  27. Mount Top

    • Achieved from DLR balloon sweep, set control from top mount position. Work toward submissions while maintaining base and pressure to prevent opponent's escape attempts

  28. X-Guard

    • Key detail: the deep leg entanglement position that powerful sweeping options against standing opponents. control opponent's posture through upper body grips while using the x-hooks to elevate and off-balance. timing beats strength

  29. Knee Turn Sweep

    • If they frame, usually from x-guard, sweep uses the leg hooks to control opponent's base while turning the knee to create the sweeping momentum. the key is maintaining control throughout the rotation to finish in top position

Branch conditions