Guard play is the heart of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It’s where defense turns into attack, and strategy makes all the difference. Whether you’re new to BJJ or a seasoned practitioner, mastering the guard is essential.
In this post, we’ll compare beginner-friendly closed guards with advanced modern open guards. You’ll learn the key differences, when to use each, and how they fit into your game.
What Is Guard Play In BJJ?
Guard play happens when you’re on your back, using your legs to control your opponent. From here, you can defend, sweep, or submit. Knowing how to play guard well can keep you safe and open up chances to win the fight. Let’s take a closer look at the two main types of guard:
Closed Guard (Beginner-friendly)
Closed guard is one of the first positions you’ll learn in BJJ. You wrap your legs around your opponent’s waist and lock your ankles together. This creates a closed loop, making it hard for your opponent to move. It’s simple and effective and helps beginners focus on the following:
- Breaking your opponent’s posture to stop their attacks.
- Basic submissions.
- Sweeps
It’s a safe position. Your opponent can’t easily pass your guard if you control them with your legs and grips.
Modern Open Guards (Advanced)
Modern open guards are more dynamic. Your legs are no longer locked around your opponent. Instead, you use hooks, grips, and foot placement to control distance and movement.
Open guards require more mobility and timing. You must constantly adjust your grips and hooks, maintain distance to prevent guard passes, and combine sweeps and submissions in fluid transitions. If you lose control, your opponent can pass your guard and take a dominant position.
Closed Guard vs. Modern Open Guard
The closed guard is simple and stable. You lock your legs around your opponent, making it easier to control them. It’s great for beginners because it limits movement and lowers the risk of getting your guard passed. From here, you can focus on basic sweeps and submissions like armbars and triangles.
Modern open guards are more advanced. Instead of locking your legs, you use hooks, grips, and foot placement to control your opponent. This gives you more movement and attack options but makes it easier for your opponent to pass if you lose control. In short, closed guard is safe and steady. The Open guard is dynamic but requires more skill and timing.
Which Guard Should You Use?
If you’re new to BJJ, focus on closed guard, which teaches you the basics of control and submissions. As you gain experience, explore modern open guards to add variety and unpredictability to your game. Advanced players often mix both. Closed guards work well for controlling aggressive opponents, while open guards offer options for sweeps, submissions, and transitions.
Are You Ready To Level Up?
Whether you’re a beginner learning closed guard or ready to dive into modern open guards, we have the resources to help. At Performance Jiu-Jitsu, you’ll find expert tips, gear, and support to take your BJJ to the next level. Contact us today and start improving your guard play!
