Full Guard Fundamentals

Are you looking to take your jiu-jitsu game to the next level? To become a formidable opponent on the mat, you must master the full guard position. The full guard is one of the most versatile and effective positions in jiu-jitsu, allowing you to control your opponent and set up a variety of submissions and sweeps. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, learning and perfecting the full guard can significantly enhance your jiu-jitsu skills.

This article will dive deep into the full guard position and explore its various techniques, strategies, and benefits. We’ll cover everything from understanding the basic principles of full guard to mastering advanced sweeps and submissions. Whether you want to improve your defensive skills or become a submission specialist, incorporating the full guard into your jiu-jitsu arsenal is essential.

So, if you’re ready to elevate your jiu-jitsu game and become a formidable force on the mat, read on to discover the secrets of full-guard jiu-jitsu and take your skills to new heights.

What Is Full Guard In Jiu-Jitsu?

In Jiu Jitsu, full guard refers to a position where a practitioner is on their back, and their legs are wrapped around their opponent’s waist or torso. This position is considered a defensive guard as it gives the practitioner control and the ability to defend against their opponent’s attacks. The practitioner can utilize techniques such as sweeps, submissions, and transitions from the full guard position to gain an advantage or escape their opponent’s control. It is an essential position to understand and master to compete and defend oneself in Jiu-Jitsu effectively.

Advantages of Full Guard

The full guard is an incredibly versatile and powerful position in Jiu Jitsu, offering multiple advantages to practitioners. One of the main benefits of the full guard is that it provides a practitioner with a great degree of control over their opponent. This allows them to prevent their opponent from passing their guard or attacking with strikes while setting up various sweeps and submissions. Furthermore, the full guard is also great for defending against takedowns and controlling an opponent’s posture.

Lastly, the full guard is a great position to transition from or to other positions in Jiu Jitsu. This makes it an essential part of any practitioner’s arsenal and allows them to flow between different techniques effectively.

Closed Guard fundamentals

The closed guard is a common jiu-jitsu position that can be used offensively and defensively. It is often used to defend against opponents’ attacks, control their posture, and set up sweeps or submissions. To enter the closed guard, the practitioner wraps their legs around their opponent’s waist and holds them in place with their feet. This position gives the practitioner a great degree of control over their opponent and can be used to set up a variety of submissions, such as the armbar, triangle choke, and guillotine.

Other Types of Guards in Jiu Jitsu

In addition to full guard, there are a variety of other guards that practitioners can utilize in jiu-jitsu. These include open guard, half guard, butterfly guard, single leg X-guard, X-guard, and more. Each of these positions offers distinct advantages and disadvantages depending on the situation.

Open guard: Open guard is a defensive position where the practitioner is on their back and has their feet positioned around their opponent’s hips. This guard provides excellent control over an opponent and can be used to set up sweeps, submissions, and transitions.

Half guard: Half Guard is a versatile guard that allows a practitioner to control their opponent while still being able to move around more freely. This position can be used offensively and defensively, allowing a practitioner to attack with submissions, sweeps, and transitions.

Butterfly guard: A butterfly guard is a dynamic closed guard where the practitioner has their feet hooked around their opponent’s hips. This position provides excellent control over an opponent, allowing the practitioner to move around and set up various techniques.

Single-leg X-guard: Single-leg X-guard is a versatile open guard that can be used to attack an opponent with submissions, sweeps, and transitions. The practitioner’s leg is hooked around the opponent’s leg to control them and prevent them from escaping the position.

X-guard: X-guard is a powerful open guard where the practitioner has their legs wrapped around their opponent’s body in an X-shape. This position provides excellent control over an opponent and can be used to set up a variety of submissions, sweeps, and transitions.

Spider Guard: The spider guard is a dynamic, open guard that allows practitioners to control their opponent while still being able to move around more freely. This position is excellent for setting up various submissions and sweeps, enabling the practitioner to control their opponent’s posture.

How To Pass Guard

Passing the guard is a fundamental skill in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other grappling martial arts. Guard passing involves:

• Shifting your body weight.
• Using grips.
• Controlling your opponent’s posture to gain control of their legs.

When you can establish dominant positions over your opponent’s guard, you can attack with submissions or pass to more dominant positions.

There is no single “right” way to pass guard, as it will depend on the situation and your opponent’s guard style. However, there are some basic principles that you can use when attempting to pass guard:

1. Establish a strong base: To pass most guards effectively, you must establish a good base by evenly distributing your weight between both legs. By doing this, you will be able to move around your opponent’s guard more effectively and transition into other positions.

2. Control the arms: Controlling your opponent’s arms is essential when passing guard as it gives you a better chance of establishing a dominant position. You can use grips or frame with your arms to prevent them from controlling your posture or creating space.

3. Attack from multiple angles: To pass guard effectively, you must attack from various angles. This means changing your position and angle of attack to make it more difficult for your opponent to defend against you.

4. Use pressure: Using pressure when passing guard is an excellent way of establishing a dominant position over your opponent’s guard. You can use your arms and legs to apply pressure to your opponent, making it more difficult for them to control your posture or regain guard.

5. Maintain balance: Maintaining balance is an essential element of passing the guard. If your opponent can push you off-balance, they will be able to sweep you or regain guard. Therefore, it’s essential that you stay balanced when attempting to pass guard.

In conclusion, the full guard is not just a defensive position in martial arts; it’s a symbol of strength, resilience, and determination. It’s a reminder that no matter how tough life gets, we have the power to protect ourselves and stand our ground. So, next time you face a challenge, embrace the full guard and face it head-on. You’ve got this!

Come train with us at Granite Bay Jiu Jitsu and learn the secrets of full guard! Our experienced instructors will guide you through the essential techniques and strategies to help you master this powerful position. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced practitioner, we have classes to suit all levels. So, what are you waiting for? Join us today and take your Jiu Jitsu game to the next level!