Master the 6 Best Guard Positions in Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra Irvine

1. Closed Guard

The Foundation of Jiu-Jitsu

The Closed Guard is one of the first guards you’ll learn and one of the most fundamental positions in Jiu-Jitsu. From here, you control your opponent’s posture and can attack with submissions like the armbar, triangle, and guillotine. It’s also an excellent position for sweeping your opponent and transitioning into top control.

• Key Benefits:
  • Control over the opponent’s posture
  • Set up attacks and sweeps
  • High control and stability

Master this guard at Gracie Barra Irvine to gain a strong foundation in your Jiu-Jitsu game.

2. Open Guard

Versatility and Mobility

The Open Guard is a more dynamic position that offers greater mobility and allows for a wide range of sweeps and submissions. By keeping your legs open and using hooks, grips, and frames, you create distance and control over your opponent’s movements. This guard is highly versatile and works well against a variety of opponents and situations.

• Key Benefits:
  • Great for sweeping and controlling distance
  • Enables quick transitions
  • Ideal for both offense and defense

Learn to utilize the Open Guard effectively with the expert instructors at Gracie Barra Irvine.

3. Half Guard

A Strategic Guard for Escaping

The Half Guard is a powerful position that allows you to regain control when you’re on the bottom. It’s a great guard to use if you’re caught in side control or mounted, offering a way to escape and reverse the position. From half guard, you can work for sweeps, submissions, and transitions to dominant positions like back control or mount.

• Key Benefits:
  • Excellent for escapes
  • Allows for sweeps and submissions
  • Control the opponent’s hips and legs

Master Half Guard at Gracie Barra Irvine to improve your bottom game and escape from bad positions.

4. De La Riva Guard

A Guard for Dynamic Sweeps and Submissions

The De La Riva Guard is a popular guard position used by many top-level competitors. In this position, you control one of your opponent’s legs with your hooks and grips, keeping them at a distance while setting up sweeps, submissions, and transitions. This guard is particularly effective in both gi and no-gi Jiu-Jitsu.

• Key Benefits:
  • Great for sweeping your opponent
  • Strong grip and control options
  • Works in both gi and no-gi

Perfect your De La Riva Guard at Gracie Barra Irvine and add dynamic sweeps to your Jiu-Jitsu arsenal.

5. X-Guard

Advanced Control for Sweeps and Submissions

The X-Guard is one of the most powerful and effective positions for controlling your opponent from the bottom. With this guard, you are positioned underneath your opponent’s leg, allowing for excellent control while setting up sweeps and submissions, particularly leg locks. The X-Guard is a fantastic guard for those who want to elevate their Jiu-Jitsu to the next level.

• Key Benefits:
  • Advanced control of your opponent’s leg
  • Great for sweeps and leg attacks
  • High submission potential

Train the X-Guard at Gracie Barra Irvine to improve your leg game and sweep skills.

6. Butterfly Guard

Control and Sweep Your Opponent

The Butterfly Guard is an incredibly effective guard for both sweeping and controlling your opponent. From here, you use your hooks (feet) inside your opponent’s thighs to off-balance them, making it easy to transition into sweeps and submissions. The Butterfly Guard is an excellent choice when you’re looking to attack and create movement from the bottom.

• Key Benefits:
  • High sweep potential
  • Excellent for controlling posture and positioning
  • Effective for both gi and no-gi

Learn the Butterfly Guard at Gracie Barra Irvine to dominate in sweeps and transitions.