From The Martial Arts Encyclopedia

The guard (in Judo sometimes referred to colloquially as do-osae) is any grappling position where one combatant has his or her legs in between him or herself and the other competitor. Typically, the "guard" refers to the closed guard or open guard, a position where one combatant has his or her back to the ground, while holding the other combatant using the legs. In pure grappling combat sports, the guard is considered an advantageous position, since the bottom combatant can attack with various joint locks and chokeholds, while the top combatant's priority is to transition into a more dominant position, a process known as passing the guard. In mixed martial arts competition or hand-to-hand combat in general, it is possible to effectively strike from the top in the guard, even though the bottom combatant exerts some control over the top one. There are various types of guard, with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Contents 1 Closed guard 2 Open guard 3 Butterfly guard 4 Spider guard 5 X-guard 6 De la Riva guard 7 Turtle guard 8 Rubber Guard 9 Half Guard 10 Footnotes 11 References 11.1 Main references

Closed guard

The closed guard is the typical guard position. The legs are hooked behind the back of the opponent, preventing him or her from standing up or moving away. The opponent needs to open the legs up to be able to improve positioning. The bottom combatant might transition between the open and closed guard, as the open guard allows for better movement, but also increased risk in the opponent passing the guard.

Open guard

The open guard is typically used to perform various joint locks, chokeholds, and sweeps. The legs can be used to move the opponent, and to create leverage. The legs open allows the opponent to stand up or try to pass the guard, so this position is often used temporarily to set up sweeps or other techniques. Open guard is also a general term that encompasses a large number of guard positions where the legs are used to push, wrap or hook the opponent without locking the ankles together around them.

Butterfly guard

The butterfly guard involves both of the legs being hooked with the ankles in between the opponents legs, against the inside of the opponents thighs. The opponent is controlled using both legs and arms. The butterfly guard is often short-lived since the opponent might be able to move quite freely. The leverage in the butterfly guard allows for powerful sweeps and quick transitions.

Spider guard

The spider guard comprises a number of positions all of which involve controlling the opponents arms while using the soles of the feet to control the opponent at the biceps, hips, thighs or a combination of them. It is most effective when the sleeves of the opponent can be grabbed, for instance if the opponent is wearing a gi. The spider guard can be used for sweeps and to set up joint locks or chokeholds.

X-guard

The x-guard is an open guard where one of the combatants is standing up and the other is on his back. The bottom combatant uses the legs to entangle one of the opponent's legs, which creates opportunities for powerful sweeps. The x-guard is often used in combination with butterfly and half guard. In a grappling match, this is an advantageous position for the bottom combatant, but in general hand-to-hand combat, the top combatant can attack with stomps or kicks. This having been said, skilled use of the X guard can prevent the opponent from attempting a kick, or throw him off balance should he raise a leg.

De la Riva guard

The De la Riva guard (also called the De la Riva hook and jello guard) is an open guard that was popularized in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by black belt Ricardo de la Riva Goded, who was very successful with it in competition. In it, one of the legs is wrapped behind the opponent's leg from the outside, the ankle held with one hand, and the other hand grips one of their sleeves. The De la Riva guard offers many sweeps, transitions and submissions, and is often used in combination with spider guard.

Turtle guard

The turtle is primarily a defensive position, but can be used as an offensive position with recent jiu-jitsu pracititioners such as Eduardo Telles bringing it to the limelight. The turtle involves curling up on all fours. Defensively, one hand should be used to defend from chokes, and the other hand should be used to defend from the leg hook. The idea behind the turtle guard is that you can defend from your back, which was previously a dangerous position to give up in jiu-jitsu. With proper defense, the turtle guard can be transitioned to from your back, just as someone is passing your guard. In Jiu-jitsu competition, transitioning from your back to turtle guard just as your transitional guard is being passed, avoids points being scored on you from side control.

Rubber Guard

This is a position that keeps the opponent down in your guard. Originally invented by Eddie Bravo, also the founder of many techniques from this position. By being flexible and using a leg to hold the opponent down, one arm is free to work on submissions, sweeps or to strike the opponent's trapped head.

Half Guard

Half guard or alternatively half mount is a position where one combatant is lying on the other, with the bottom combatant having one leg entangled. Sometimes the bottom combatant is said to be in half guard, while the top combatant is in a half mount respectively. The half guard is the position that is in between a full guard and side control or full mount. The combatant on top will try to unentangle the leg and obtain side control or mount, while the bottom combatant will try to transition into a full guard or alternatively attempt a sweep or submission. The combatant on top is however in a better position, and can strike or attempt submission holds, although not as well as in side control.

Footnotes

References

Main references