1 Overview
Competing in your first jiu-jitsu tournament is a milestone that blends excitement with anxiety. As a coach, I've seen many beginners struggle not because of a lack of technique, but because they are unprepared for the pace, rules, and pressure of competition. This walkthrough will guide you through the essential aspects of tournament preparation, focusing on the closed guard—a fundamental position that every beginner should understand. We'll cover what the closed guard is for, how to set it up, key transitions, common mistakes, and drills to build proficiency. Remember, this is for educational purposes only; always train under the supervision of a qualified instructor and with a partner, and never attempt techniques outside the gym.
The closed guard is a foundational position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, often the first guard learned by beginners. It involves wrapping your legs around your opponent's torso while they are inside your guard, typically with your ankles crossed behind their back. From here, you can control their posture, break their balance, and launch attacks. In a tournament setting, a solid closed guard can be a safe haven and a launching pad for points or submissions. However, it requires active maintenance and constant adjustment. Many beginners make the mistake of becoming passive, allowing their opponent to dictate the action. This article will help you avoid that by emphasizing key principles and drills.
Before diving into specifics, it's crucial to understand the tournament environment. Matches are timed, points are awarded for positions and advantages, and the adrenaline can cause you to forget your training. By focusing on a few core techniques and strategies, you can simplify your game plan and increase your confidence. The closed guard is an excellent choice for your first tournament because it allows you to slow down the match and work from a position of relative safety. With proper preparation, you can execute your techniques effectively and enjoy the experience.
2 What this guard is for
The closed guard serves multiple purposes in a tournament context. Primarily, it is a controlling position that neutralizes your opponent's ability to pass your guard and advance to dominant positions like side control or mount. By locking your legs around their torso, you restrict their movement and force them to address your attacks. This control allows you to dictate the pace and direction of the match. In terms of scoring, simply maintaining closed guard does not earn points, but it prevents your opponent from scoring. Moreover, it sets up sweeps, which are worth two points, and submissions, which can end the match. Thus, a well-utilized closed guard can be both a defensive shield and an offensive weapon.
Another key purpose is to break your opponent's posture. When their posture is broken, their head and shoulders are close to your chest, making it difficult for them to generate power or pass. From this broken posture, you can launch high-percentage attacks such as the hip bump sweep, kimura, guillotine, and triangle choke. The closed guard also allows you to manage distance effectively; if your opponent tries to stand up to open your guard, you can use your legs to pull them back down or transition to an open guard. In a tournament, where opponents may be aggressive, the closed guard provides a way to slow things down and think strategically.
Finally, the closed guard is a position of relative safety. Unlike open guards, where there is space for your opponent to move, the closed guard eliminates space and limits their options. This is particularly beneficial for beginners who may not yet have the reflexes to handle a fast-paced open guard. By keeping your opponent close, you reduce the risk of being passed and can focus on your attacks. However, it's important to note that the closed guard is not a static position; you must constantly adjust your hips, control their arms, and threaten submissions to keep them defensive. If you become complacent, a skilled opponent will eventually open your guard and pass.
3 Setting it up correctly
Setting up the closed guard begins before you even hit the mat. In a tournament, you typically start standing, but if you can pull guard or if the match goes to the ground, you need to establish closed guard correctly. The first step is to secure your opponent's posture. As they are inside your guard, you want to break their posture by pulling them down with your legs and arms. Use your legs to pull their torso close to you while your arms control their sleeves or collar. A common method is to grab their collar with one hand and their sleeve with the other, then pull them down while simultaneously lifting your hips to off-balance them. This broken posture is crucial because it prevents them from posturing up to open your guard.
Once their posture is broken, you need to lock your ankles behind their back. Ensure that your ankles are crossed, with the soles of your feet facing outward. This lock should be tight, but not so tight that it causes discomfort to your partner. Your knees should be squeezed together to prevent them from creating space. Your hips should be mobile, ready to adjust for sweeps or submissions. Avoid lying flat on your back; instead, angle your hips slightly to one side to create leverage. Your arms should control their posture: one hand can grip their collar or head, while the other controls their arm. This configuration allows you to attack while maintaining control.
It's also important to consider your opponent's reactions. If they try to stand up, you can use your legs to pull them back down or transition to an open guard like spider guard. If they attempt to open your guard by pushing your knee, you can counter by switching to a different guard or by attacking their exposed arm. The key is to stay active and not allow them to settle into a passing position. In a tournament, referees may penalize stalling, so you must constantly threaten submissions or sweeps to keep the action going. Setting up the closed guard correctly requires practice and timing, so drill it regularly with a partner under supervision.
4 Key positions and transitions
From the closed guard, there are several key positions and transitions that you should master for competition. The first is the hip bump sweep. This sweep is executed when your opponent postures up or leans back. You sit up, post one hand behind you, and use your other arm to wrap around their head or arm, then bump your hips upward and roll them over. This sweep requires timing and hip movement. Another fundamental transition is the kimura. When your opponent posts a hand on the mat or reaches for your collar, you can trap their arm, grip their wrist with one hand and their elbow with the other, and rotate your body to apply the kimura lock. This can be done from closed guard or after transitioning to an open guard.
The triangle choke is another high-percentage attack from closed guard. It is set up when your opponent has one arm in and one arm out. You use your legs to trap their arm and neck, then lock your ankles to apply pressure. The triangle can be entered from various positions, but from closed guard, you often need to open your guard and angle your hips. The guillotine choke is also available if your opponent leaves their head low. You wrap your arm around their neck, lock your hands, and apply pressure. These submissions are all viable from closed guard, but they require precise technique and constant practice.
Transitions between these attacks are crucial. For example, if your opponent defends the hip bump by posting, you can switch to a kimura. If they defend the kimura by pulling their arm free, you might transition to a triangle. This flow between attacks keeps your opponent guessing and defensive. Additionally, you can transition to open guards like spider guard or butterfly guard if your closed guard is opened. In a tournament, having a chain of attacks from closed guard can overwhelm your opponent and lead to points or a submission. However, always remember that these techniques should be drilled with a partner under supervision, and never attempted in a real fight or outside the gym. Safety is paramount; tap early and often when practicing submissions.
5 Common mistakes that open you up
One of the most common mistakes beginners make in closed guard is lying flat on their back with their hips immobile. This allows the opponent to posture up easily and begin opening the guard. Without hip movement, you cannot generate the power needed for sweeps or submissions. Instead, you should stay on your side or angle your hips to create leverage. Another mistake is neglecting to control your opponent's posture. If you allow them to sit up straight, they can start passing your guard. You must constantly pull them down and keep their head and shoulders close to you. This requires active arms and legs; don't rely solely on your legs to hold them.
A third mistake is telegraphing your attacks. Beginners often wind up for a sweep or submission in an obvious way, giving the opponent time to defend. For example, if you want to do a hip bump sweep, don't lean back first; instead, sit up quickly and unexpectedly. Similarly, when going for a kimura, don't reach for the arm in a slow, predictable manner. Use feints and combinations to keep your opponent off balance. Another error is crossing your ankles too high or too low. If your ankles are crossed too high, near their lower back, they can easily posture and break your lock. If they are too low, near their tailbone, you have less control. Aim for the small of their back.
Finally, many beginners hold their breath and tense up, which leads to rapid fatigue. In a tournament, adrenaline is high, but you must remember to breathe and relax. Staying tense drains your energy and makes your movements jerky. Focus on smooth, deliberate actions. Also, avoid gripping too tightly with your arms; your legs should do most of the work in closed guard. If your arms tire, you'll be unable to control posture or attack. Remember, these mistakes are common, but with consistent drilling and feedback from your coach, you can correct them. Always train with a partner and under supervision, and never attempt these techniques in a real altercation.
6 Drills to build it
To build a reliable closed guard for competition, you need to drill specific movements until they become second nature. One essential drill is the hip bump sweep drill. Start with your partner in your closed guard. They maintain a upright posture. You sit up, post one hand behind you, and use your other arm to control their head or arm. Then bump your hips and roll them over. Repeat this drill for several repetitions, focusing on timing and hip movement. Your partner should offer moderate resistance, not full resistance, to allow you to practice the mechanics. This drill develops the coordination needed to execute the sweep in a match. As you improve, you can add variations where your partner postures differently, and you adjust accordingly.
Another valuable drill is the kimura from closed guard. With your partner in your guard, they place one hand on the mat. You trap their wrist with one hand and their elbow with the other, then rotate your body to apply the kimura. Drill this slowly at first, ensuring you have proper control. Your partner can gradually increase resistance, but always tap when the lock is applied. This drill teaches you to recognize opportunities and execute the technique smoothly. You can also drill the triangle choke setup. From closed guard, have your partner posture with one arm in and one arm out. You open your guard, angle your hips, and lock the triangle. Repeat this entry, focusing on hip angle and leg placement. These drills should be done with a partner under the supervision of a coach.
In addition to specific technique drills, you can practice guard retention and posture breaking. For example, have your partner try to open your guard while you maintain it and break their posture. This drill improves your ability to keep the guard under pressure. Another drill is the sit-up sweep chain, where you flow from hip bump to kimura to guillotine based on your partner's reactions. This builds your transition skills. Always warm up properly and drill on mats. Remember, the goal is to build muscle memory so that in a tournament, you can execute without conscious thought. Consistency is key; practice these drills regularly, and always prioritize safety by communicating with your partner and tapping early.
7 Frequently asked questions
Q: How do I deal with an opponent who stands up to open my closed guard? A: If your opponent stands, you can transition to an open guard such as spider guard or de la Riva guard. Alternatively, you can use your legs to pull them back down by hooking behind their knees or using a lasso grip. The key is to stay active and not let them settle into a passing position. Remember to always train these transitions with a partner under supervision.
Q: What should I do if my opponent is very strong and postures up easily? A: Against a strong opponent, you need to use proper technique and leverage. Break their posture by pulling their collar down while simultaneously lifting your hips. Use your legs to pull them in, and control their arms. If they still posture, you can switch to an open guard where strength is less of a factor. Drilling posture breaking with a partner will help you develop the timing and leverage needed.
Q: How often should I drill closed guard techniques before a tournament? A: Consistency is more important than duration. Aim to drill specific techniques at least two to three times per week, focusing on quality repetitions. As the tournament approaches, increase the intensity and add resistance. Always train under the guidance of a coach and with a partner. Remember, this article is for educational purposes only; never attempt these techniques outside of supervised training. Safety first: tap early and often.
Q: Can I use closed guard in a real fight? A: This article is strictly for sport jiu-jitsu competition. Techniques shown here are not intended for self-defense or real fights. Always prioritize safety and train responsibly in a controlled environment.