No-Gi Closed Guard System
Overview
I wasted way too much time scrolling through random YouTube and Instagram videos, trying to figure out what closed guard – just drowning in random techniques.
Eventually, after watching hours of Youtube and instructionals, I came to the conclusion that these are the 5 primary types of offensive options you have as a closed guard player:
[+] Back Takes [+] Armbars [+] Triangles [+] Omoplatas [+] Sweeps
Bottom player Start Here
Philosophy
Required John Danaher Explains Closed Guard Fundamentals Roger Gracie Teaches The Best Closed Guard In The World!
Optional How Adele Fornarino is Changing BJJ Forever Roger Gracie's Closed Guard is Extremely Complex BJJ Study Elevated Basics: The Ultimate No-Gi Closed Guard Guide
Entering the Closed Guard
Chopstick Guard with ADCC Double Gold Champion, Adele Fornarino Getting to closed guard against an advanced opponent (Lachlan Giles) Getting to closed guard from half guard (Lachlan Giles)
Attacking from the Closed Guard
There’s dozens of different types of attacks from the closed guard. The reason I mention only these 5 is that the reactions they elicit from defenders creates off balances that allow you to transition into another one of these moves.
For example, if you create angles and begin trying to get outside your opponents arms to take the back, they might over-correct and create an opportunity for you to fire up an arm bar or attempt a sweep. If they defend the arm bar, they might create an opportunity for you to attack a triangle or omoplata, and so on.
Craig Jones talks about this offensive trilemma in the first volume of his closed guard instructional. Let’s begin
Cutting to the back
Closed guard to the back (Lachlan Giles) The Side Closed Guard: Xande Ribeiro Teaches The Jiu-Jitsu Technique He Used To Win … The Unstoppable Way To Take The Back From Closed Guard by Mica Galvao
Arm bar
Armbar from Closed Guard BJJ Techniques: Wrist Control to Arm Bar by Gordon Ryan BJJ Moves: Arm Bar From Guard by John Danaher INCREDIBLE Twisted Armbar From BJJ Closed Guard by Ffion Davies
Triangle
Wrist Controls To Triangles by John Danaher Triangle from Closed Guard w/ Over-hook (Lachlan Giles) How To Do The Perfect Triangle Choke Even If You Have Short Legs by John Danaher I did this wrong for so long. Finishing mechanics of the triangle Jiu Jitsu Moves: Scissor Sweep Triangle Combo by Tom DeBlass
Omoplata
OMOPLATA 101 Understanding the Omoplata for Nogi Jiu Jitsu BJJ: How to OMOPLATA Shoulder Lock from Closed Guard NO GI BJJ Flow Drill: Armbar Triangle Omoplata From Closed Guard
Sweeps
Hip Bump Entry From Closed Guard by Craig Jones 4 Full Guard Sweeps Every BJJ White Belt Should Learn As Early As Possible
Roger Gracie: sweep from closed guard 3 Scissor Sweeps From Closed Guard Every BJJ White Belt Should Learn | Cobrinha BJJ Kimura Sweep From Closed Guard Ffion Davies Flower Sweep by Ffion Davies #bjj #bjjmoves #bjjlifestyle Foot placement for a good hip bump sweep No Gi Pendulum Sweep and Arm Bar from Closed Guard (Lachlan Giles)
Top Player
According to Gordon Ryan, the only way to escape the closed guard is to stand up. These videos show how to stand up and how to deal with common retention strategies from the guard player.
Escaping the closed guard
Escaping Closed Guard with Gordon Ryan Opening the closed guard 2.1 The logsplitter open Opening the closed guard 2.2 The standing guard open Opening the closed guard 3.1 Dealing with when they grab your legs when standing Opening the Closed Guard My Favorite Method for No Gi BJJ (with Shintaro Higashi) Opening Closed Guard Knee Post Method by John Danaher
Comp Footage
These are some interesting compilations I found of closed guard being used at the highest level. Enjoy!
11-Minutes Of Brianna Ste-Marie's World-Class Closed Guard Armbar Roberto Jimenez NoGi Closed Guard Compilation Rudson Mateus Closed Guard Highlight Brianna Ste Marie: Closed guard fundamentals at the Highest levels🤯
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