Top 3 Most Popular Guard Pass Variations 

When engaging in combat sports such as judo, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and MMA, it’s,essential to know the different types of guard pass variations you can use. Guards are a form of defense that allows you to maintain control over your opponent while striking or attempting submissions. Various defensive strategies are available for any type of fight, from the more familiar closed guard to the lesser-known variations, such as the lasso guard. So if you’re looking for an edge in the ring, read on to learn about all the different types of guards and their advantages and disadvantages!

What Is A Guard Pass?

A guard is a defensive position used in combat sports such as judo, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and MMA. The purpose of the guard is to maintain control over your opponent while also striking or attempting submissions. Several different types of guards can be used depending on the situation. The closed guard is probably the most common type and involves the fighter wrapping their legs around their opponent’s waist or torso and using their arms and body to control them from inside their guard.

Other popular guards include the half-guard, open guard, X-guard, butterfly guard, spider guard, lasso guard, and De La Riva Guard. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on what type of fight you’re in. For example, an open guard may be more effective for stand-up fighting, whereas a closed guard may give you better submission opportunities on the ground.

The guard is a fundamental part of any combat sport and can be used in many ways depending on the situation. Knowing how to use the various types of guards effectively can make or break a fight! Now let’s look at the different kinds of guards available and how they can be used to your advantage.

Different Types of Guards

Various types of guards can be used in combat sports. Each guard type has advantages and disadvantages, depending on the situation.

Closed Guard

Closed guard is one of the most common guards used in combat sports. It involves the fighter wrapping their legs around their opponent’s waist or torso and using their arms and body to control them from inside their guard. This type of guard can be used for various techniques, such as sweeps, submissions, and transitions into other positions.

One key advantage to using the closed guard is that it allows the fighter to maintain more control over their opponent than with other guards. This is because they have both arms free while the legs are wrapped around the opponent’s body. This type of guard can also be used to set up various submission holds and sweeps that are difficult to defend against without proper knowledge and technique.

The downside to using the closed guard is that it requires a great deal of coordination between the fighter’s arms and legs to maintain control over their opponent. Furthermore, if an opponent manages to break out of this type of guard, they may gain an advantageous position, leading to a swift finish or victory.

Open Guard

Open guard is a grappling position where the fighter has their legs open and spread out, with one foot planted between their opponent’s legs. This position allows the fighter to control their opponent’s posture and range of motion while providing them more mobility. Open guard can be used to set up sweeps, submissions, and other takedowns, depending on how skilled the fighter is at utilizing it.

One of the significant advantages of using open guard is that it allows for more strikes than most other positions, as there is usually not as much contact between fighters when they are in this position. Additionally, it provides access to various submission attempts that may not be available when using a closed guard.

However, due to its lack of control over your opponent, open guard can make it difficult to defend against strikes or submissions from your opponent if they have enough strength or skills. Additionally, inexperienced fighters may struggle with maintaining this position for long periods as it requires a lot of energy and technique to do so correctly. Nevertheless, open guard remains integral to any grappler’s arsenal and can provide them numerous opportunities to gain an advantage over their opponents.

Open guard is an excellent tool for grapplers of all levels, as it provides mobility and access to various submissions that can be used to gain an advantage over their opponents. In the next section, we’ll look at the definition of open guard and how it can help you become a more successful grappler.

Half Guard

Half guard is a grappling position where one combatant has both legs of the other fighter trapped between their legs. As its name suggests, this technique involves only half of the opponent’s body being controlled by the fighter in this position. Half-guard can be used to control an opponent while setting up submissions or sweeps, and it is also a great way to protect yourself from potential attacks when your opponent is on top.

One advantage of half-guard is that it can be used to transition into more dominant positions such as side control or mount. It also requires less energy than open guard and provides more control over your opponent’s posture and range of motion, making submission attempts much more straightforward.

However, half-guard does have some disadvantages as well. For one, it can be difficult to maintain against an experienced grappler who can use their strength and weight to impose their will upon you in this position. Additionally, since only one leg is trapped between yours, you may be vulnerable to strikes if they free their other leg.

Half-guard is a powerful tool for those looking to control their opponents while setting up submissions or sweeps. With practice and experience, however, fighters can learn how to overcome its disadvantages and make it an effective weapon on the mat.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced grappler, Granite Bay Jiu Jitsu is the perfect place to learn the fundamentals and advanced techniques of guard passes. From open guard to half-guard, our instructors have decades of experience in teaching these positions and can help guide you through the process of becoming a more well-rounded fighter. Sign up now for a free week of classes at Granite Bay Jiu Jitsu and experience the power of guard passes firsthand!