Mastering the Closed Guard in BJJ: Techniques, Benefits, and Common Mistakes

What is the Closed Guard in BJJ?

The closed guard is one of the most fundamental and effective positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Whether you’re a beginner learning the basics or an experienced practitioner refining your submissions, mastering the closed guard can significantly enhance your ground game. This article explores the closed guard position, its advantages, key techniques, common mistakes, and tips for improvement.

The closed guard, also known as the full guard, is a position where the bottom player wraps their legs around their opponent’s waist and locks their feet together. This position provides control over the opponent’s posture, limiting their movement and creating opportunities for attacks such as sweeps, submissions, and transitions.

In competition and self-defense, the closed guard serves as an excellent defensive and offensive tool, allowing the bottom player to neutralize an opponent while setting up effective attacks.

Why is the Closed Guard Effective?

The closed guard offers several strategic benefits in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:

1. Control & Posture Management – By closing your legs around the opponent’s waist, you limit their ability to move freely or stand up, preventing them from easily passing your guard.
2. Submission Threats – The closed guard provides access to high-percentage submissions like the armbar, triangle choke, and guillotine choke.
3. Sweeping Opportunities – With proper grip control and hip movement, you can off-balance your opponent and execute sweeps to transition into dominant positions like mount or side control.
4. Defensive Stability – It serves as a strong defensive position, reducing the risk of getting submitted while allowing you to work on your attacks.

Essential Techniques from the Closed Guard

To maximize your effectiveness from the closed guard, focus on these fundamental techniques:

1. Armbar from Closed Guard

The armbar is a classic submission that targets the opponent’s extended arm. To execute:

• Control one arm while maintaining a strong grip on the opponent’s sleeve or wrist.
• Shift your hips and angle your body to trap their arm.
• Swing your leg over their face and extend your hips to apply the armbar.

2. Triangle Choke

This submission utilizes your legs to create a chokehold around your opponent’s neck and trapped arm:

• Control their wrist and pull one arm through your legs.
• Lock your legs in a triangle shape around their neck.
• Adjust your angle, pull the head down, and squeeze for the submission.

3. Hip Bump Sweep

A powerful and simple sweep that takes advantage of an opponent leaning too far forward:

• Post one arm behind you for base and control their arm.
• Explosively bump your hips into them while turning your upper body.
• Roll over and land in mount position.

4. Guillotine Choke

An excellent choke submission when your opponent leaves their neck exposed:

• Control their head and secure an overhook grip.
• Wrap your arm around their neck and apply pressure by squeezing and bridging your hips.

Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – A Martial Art For Everyone 

While the closed guard is an effective position, common mistakes can hinder your success:

1. Not Controlling the Opponent’s Posture – Allowing the opponent to sit upright makes it easier for them to pass or defend.
2. Relying Only on Strength – Effective guard play requires technique, angles, and leverage, not just brute force.
3. Ignoring Grip Fighting – Strong grips set up attacks and prevent your opponent from controlling you.
4. Staying Static – Constant movement, hip adjustments, and angle changes keep you in control and open up opportunities.
5. Forgetting to Engage the Hips – Using hip mobility helps in breaking posture and setting up attacks.

How to Improve Your Closed Guard

To develop a dangerous closed guard, integrate the following drills and strategies into your training:

• Drill Posture-Breaking – Work on controlling an opponent’s posture by pulling their head down and adjusting grips.
• Repetition of Submissions – Repeatedly practice submissions like the triangle choke, armbar, and guillotine.
• Flow Drills – Transition between different closed guard attacks and sweeps fluidly.
• Positional Sparring – Start rolling from the closed guard and focus solely on attacking or sweeping.
• Core and Leg Strength Training – Strengthening your core and legs improves control and endurance in guard retention.

Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – A Martial Art For Everyone 

The closed guard remains one of the most versatile and essential positions in BJJ. By focusing on control, executing key techniques, avoiding common mistakes, and continuously improving through drilling and sparring, you can turn your closed guard into a powerful weapon. Whether in training, competition, or self-defense, mastering this position will elevate your overall Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game.

Looking for a self-defense class in Reno or Sparks, NV? Call Gracie Humaita Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at (775) 376-6229 or (775) 379-9532 for inquiries! Schedule an introductory jiu-jitsu class, or private jiu-jitsu class, at one of our two convenient locations in Reno or Sparks, NV.