Guard: Bottom Grappling Position with Legs Controlling the Opponent
The guard is a ground fighting position where the bottom fighter uses their legs to control the opponent who is on top. In closed guard, the bottom fighter wraps their legs around the opponent's waist, restricting movement and creating opportunities for submissions and sweeps. Despite being on the bottom, a skilled guard player can be offensively dangerous and control the pace of the ground fight.
Origins and Usage
The guard position was revolutionized by Brazilian jiu-jitsu, where practitioners developed an entire offensive system from the bottom. While being on your back was traditionally considered a losing position in wrestling, BJJ demonstrated that the guard could be used to submit, sweep, and neutralize larger opponents. The Gracie family's success in early MMA competitions was built largely on their guard work.
There are many variations of the guard, including closed guard, open guard, butterfly guard, and rubber guard. Each variation offers different offensive and defensive options, and elite grapplers develop specialized guard games that suit their body type and style.
In Underground Fighting
In underground fighting, playing guard on a hard surface is a painful proposition. Without mats, the bottom fighter endures the discomfort of concrete or packed earth against their back while trying to control the top fighter. This physical reality discourages prolonged guard work and puts a premium on sweeps that reverse the position.
Despite the surface disadvantage, fighters with strong guard games can still be effective in underground settings. The guard provides protection against ground and pound by controlling the top fighter's posture and distance. Submissions from guard, particularly triangles and armbars, remain viable fight-ending techniques regardless of the surface.
Related Terms
- Half Guard -- A partial guard position with one leg controlling
- Full Mount -- The dominant position that guard aims to prevent
- Triangle Choke -- A primary submission attacked from guard
See Also
- Armbar -- A submission frequently attacked from guard position
- Ground and Pound -- Striking attack that guard defends against