Open Guard
Sub-positions
Techniques
- Pass·Open GuardArm Drag Trap to Choke
Turns a sweep attempt into an arm trap by intentionally offering your leg. Creates a clean choke route from the back.
- Submission·Open GuardBaratoplata
A shoulder lock that looks like a bicep lock but applies pure shoulder pressure. Requires getting the opponent's hand between your legs and using a thigh-cuppi…
- Control·Leg DragBasic De La Riva Guard Control and Attack Setup
Establish control in De La Riva guard by gripping opponent's pant leg or ankle with left hand and sleeve with right hand to prevent leg drag and folding passes…
- Submission·De La RivaBelly Down Armbar from De La Riva
A submission from De La Riva that forces a post to break posture, using a collar drag and knee pressure to align hips and finish an armbar. It solves the probl…
- Transition·Open GuardBerimbolo — Knee-Shoot Half Guard Entry
Used when the opponent is standing or posturing up from open guard. Shoots the knee past to create a leg entanglement, using hip pressure and leg manipulation…
- Transition·De La RivaBerimbolo — Posting Arm Counter
Used when the opponent posts an arm while in De La Riva. The mechanism relies on pulling the opponent's weight onto their posted arm to lighten their leg, allo…
- Transition·De La RivaBerimbolo from De La Riva Guard
Detailed breakdown of the berimbolo technique starting from De La Riva guard, focusing on grips, hooks, hip movement, and transitioning under the opponent to t…
- Transition·De La RivaBerimbolo from Seated Guard
Use this when both players are seated facing each other or from de la riva guard. It solves the problem of advancing to back control by using an inverted rotat…
- Transition·De La RivaBerimbolo to Back — Traditional Belt Grip
Switch to a belt grip to invert, then use a tight hug and shin-blocking mechanics to drag the opponent into your lap for back control.
- Transition·De La RivaBerimbolo to Back — X-Hook Variation
Invert to the far hip, then use the De La Riva leg as an X-hook to control the opponent's leg, allowing you to drag them forward and take the back.
- Transition·De La RivaBerimbolo to Mount
Use the De La Riva hook to post the opponent's hip, invert through to the far side, and use hip mechanics to turn the opponent onto their back for mount contro…
- Submission·De La RivaBerimbolo to Rear Naked Choke
Use the Berimbolo rotation from De La Riva to take the back and secure a rear naked choke when the opponent is off-balance or resisting the turn.
- Pass·Body LockBody Lock Pass from Butterfly Guard
A guard pass initiated from butterfly guard by stopping the opponent's leg, securing a deep body lock with linked hands, and stepping over the blocked leg to a…
- Submission·Leg DragCalf Slicer from Leg Drag Pass
Counter the leg drag pass by catching the leg, locking a triangle around the calf, and squeezing to finish the calf slicer.
- Takedown·Leg DragCollar Tie Counter — Elevated Single Leg to Leg Drag
Uses an elevated single leg entry to swing the opponent's leg out, transitioning directly into a leg drag position.
- Submission·De La RivaDe la Riva Guard — Armbar & Rollout
When the opponent's arm goes over yours, step forward, scoop their wrist, and roll over them to finish an armbar or force a rollout.
- Transition·De La RivaDe la Riva Guard — Parabola Back Take
Break the sleeve grip, perform a scissor lift, and roll the opponent over your shoulder to secure a back take.
- Setup·De La RivaDe la Riva Guard — Triangle Entry
Use the shallow hook and collar grip to off-balance the opponent, then step into their hip to secure a triangle when their arm drops underneath yours.
- Transition·De La RivaDe la Riva Guard — Whizzer Back Take
When the opponent backs up to avoid off-balancing, use a deep hook and whizzer to take their back hands-free.
- Setup·De La RivaDe La Riva Knee Bump Ashi Entry
Used when stuck in an outside De La Riva position with an upright opponent. Leverage the knee against the opponent's knee to force a back step, creating a wind…
- Pass·Knee CutDe La Riva Pass — Knee Cut
Neutralize the De La Riva hook by controlling the leg with both hands while driving forward. Use a collar grip to break posture and drop into a knee cut to sec…
- Transition·De La RivaDe La Riva to X-Guard Entry
When collar grip breaks during De La Riva, switch to ankle control and sit up to secure a lapel grip, establishing dominant X-Guard positioning.
- Pass·De La RivaDLR Shin Pin Pass
Used when you have De La Riva hook and want to pass by neutralizing the opponent's grip and controlling their posture. The mechanism relies on pinning the shou…
- Pass·Open GuardDouble Underhook Dump to Turtle
Changes intention from pressure to a dump by grabbing the belt, catching the opponent off guard and bypassing the guard entirely.
- Pass·Open GuardFlying Leg Scissor to Reverse Triangle
Breaks guard structure by stepping on the far thigh, allowing a flying scissor to open the legs for a reverse triangle or kimura.
- Pass·Open GuardGuard Pass — Breaking Four Connection Points
Neutralizes the guard player's ability to mirror your movement and block angles. Works by systematically isolating and removing their strongest physical connec…
- Pass·Open GuardGuard Pass — Distance Management & Toe Line
Controls engagement range to prevent the guard player from establishing hooks. Works by using anatomical lines (centerline and toe line) to dictate safe approa…
- Pass·Open GuardGuard Pass — Hips First, Head Second
Prevents guard retention frames and shrimp escapes by prioritizing hip control. Works by tracking hip movement with mobility rather than static strength.
- Pass·Open GuardGuard Pass — Mechanical Advantage from Neutral
Converts a neutral guard position into a one-sided advantage. Works by attacking from the feet upward rather than fighting hip weight directly.
- Pass·Open GuardGuard Pass — Posture & Base Preservation
Establishes a stable passing foundation by preventing the guard player from breaking your posture. Works by maintaining a high chest and forward knee position…
- Guard_retention·Open GuardGuard Retention — Leg Tightness Against Over-Under Pass
Defend over-under passing by denying head position and keeping legs close together, using an underhook to free the trapped leg if necessary.
- Guard_retention·Open GuardGuard Retention — Misalignment Against North South Pass
Defend north south passing by creating body misalignment, either through an early far-leg lasso or by going flat and sneaking out the back door.
- Pass·Open GuardGuillotine Pass from Open Guard
An offensive pass that jumps over the guard while securing a guillotine, transitioning to north-south. It uses heavy chest pressure and chin control to prevent…
- Pass·Open GuardGuillotine Threat Pass to Back
Uses a guillotine threat to force a defensive grab, which opens a direct line to the back. Exploits instinctive reactions.
- Pass·Knee CutKnee Cut Pass from Butterfly Guard
Use this to pass butterfly guard when your opponent is trying to elevate or get underneath. By forcing their hips away before entering, you guarantee being a s…
- Pass·Leg DragKnee Cut to Leg Drag
A guard pass that initiates with a knee cut but transitions into a leg drag when the opponent posts a knee shield to defend. It solves the problem of the oppon…
- Pass·Knee CutKnee Slice Pass
Use this as your primary guard pass when the opponent is in a seated open guard position. It solves the problem of passing without getting caught in defensive…
- Sweep·Lasso GuardLasso Sweep
A sweep from lasso guard used to reverse position against a standing or posturing opponent. It works by controlling the leg with a lasso grip and using the opp…
- Defense·Leg DragLeg Drag Counter — Hip Frame
Use a hip frame to stop a leg drag attempt and create time to recover guard. Works by lifting the hips to break the opponent's base and control before they can…
- Transition·Leg DragLeg Drag from Short SLX
Use the outside short hook to tilt the opponent's base, then carve underneath their frames to win the inside track and secure the back.
- Pass·Leg DragLeg Drag Pass — Counter to Pulling
Use this pass when an opponent pulls you forward aggressively. Break their grip while squatting to maintain base, drag the leg, trap the knee, and spin to side…
- Setup·Leg DragLeg Drag Setup from Berimbolo Inversion
Set up leg drag by inverting through after knocking opponent over in berimbolo and placing foot on chest to control.
- Setup·Leg DragLeg Drag Setup from Top Passing Open Guard
Set up the leg drag position by shooting the right knee in when passing open guard and controlling opponent's legs and hips.
- Transition·Leg DragLeg Drag System
A versatile leg drag system that allows attacking the guard pass and backtake from a dominant leg drag position with multiple setups and finishing options.
- Transition·Leg DragLeg Drag to Back Take — Standing Knee Catch
When an opponent pulls their knee out and stands to escape, posture up to catch their knee, hook it with your leg, switch to a collar-and-pants grip, and walk…
- Transition·Leg DragLeg Drag to Leg Weave
When an opponent defends a leg drag by posting a knee to your chest, lift your hips and shoot your knee through the created gap to secure a leg weave, bypassin…
- Pass·Leg DragLeg Drag with Foot Assist
Disrupts hip alignment by kicking the leg out with your foot during a leg drag. Faster than a standard drag when knees are tight.
- Pass·De La RivaLong Sweep Pass vs De La Riva Guard
Use this when your opponent transitions to De La Riva guard and extends their leg through. It counters the DLR by timing a sprawl to pin the extended leg with…
- Submission·Open GuardMarcelo Plata
A variation for when the opponent defends the standard omoplata by trapping your leg. Uses a foot-over-face entry and a subtle hip shift to isolate the shoulde…
- Submission·Open GuardOmoplata
Used when the opponent's arm is outside your hip in guard or when they hug your waist from the top. Uses leg pressure to hyperextend the shoulder while applyin…
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