Complete Guide to BJJ Guard Types | BJJ App Wiki
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Every BJJ guard explained: closed guard, open guards, half guard, lapel guards and more. Which to learn first and how each fits your game.
Every BJJ guard explained: closed guard, open guards, half guard, lapel guards and more. Which to learn first and how each fits your game.
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Why Your Guard Choice Matters
Your guard is your primary defensive weapon and offensive platform when on the bottom. The guard you develop shapes your entire BJJ game — your sweeps, submissions, and transitions all flow from it. Choosing the right guards to specialize in early will save years of unfocused development.
Fundamental Guards (Learn First)
| Guard | Best For | Key Techniques |
|---|---|---|
| Closed Guard | All levels — fundamental control | Armbar, triangle, hip bump sweep, guillotine |
| Half Guard | Defensive players, beginners | Deep half, lockdown, sweep to single leg |
| Side Control Recovery | All levels | Bridge, shrimp, guard recovery |
Open Guards (Intermediate)
| Guard | Style | Key Techniques |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfly Guard | Active, scramble-based | Butterfly sweep, back take, X-guard entry |
| De La Riva Guard | Leg entanglement | DLR sweep, berimbolo, back take |
| Spider Guard | Gi only, flexible players | Lasso sweep, triangle setup, omoplata |
| Lasso Guard | Gi only, long limbs | Pendulum sweep, triangle, omoplata |
| Sit-Up Guard | Takedown entries | Single leg entry, back take, high crotch |
Advanced Guards
| Guard | Notes |
|---|---|
| X-Guard | Powerful sweeping platform. High commitment. |
| 50/50 Guard | Leg lock entry. Dominant in no-gi and heel hook rulesets. |
| Worm Guard | Gi lapel guard. Complex but highly effective. |
| Inverted Guard | Berimbolo and back take system. |
No-Gi Guards
- Butterfly Guard: Works identically in no-gi — underhooks replace grips.
- Single Leg X / Ashi Garami: The foundation of modern leg lock systems.
- Half Guard: Underhook-based half guard translates perfectly.
- Seated Guard / Paw Guard: Effective against standing opponents in no-gi competition.
How to Choose Your Guard
- Body type: Longer legs → spider/lasso/triangle. Flexible hips → inverted/berimbolo. Explosive hips → butterfly/X-guard.
- Game style: Prefer submissions from bottom → closed guard / spider. Prefer sweeps and scrambles → butterfly / DLR.
- Ruleset: IBJJF competition → spider/lasso/DLR. No-gi / ADCC → butterfly / ashi garami systems.
- Start with 1–2: Master closed guard and one open guard before adding more. Depth beats breadth.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What's the difference between open guard and closed guard in BJJ?
Closed guard involves having your legs wrapped around your opponent's waist, controlling their hips and posture. Open guard, on the other hand, allows for more space and uses your legs and feet to create distance and attack angles.
Which guard is best for beginners to learn first?
Closed guard is generally recommended for beginners as it provides a strong defensive base and teaches fundamental control principles. It's easier to learn how to break posture and set up submissions from here.
How do I prevent my opponent from passing my guard?
Guard retention is key and involves using your legs and hips to constantly re-establish frames and prevent your opponent from getting past your knees. Maintaining good hip mobility and understanding common passing angles will greatly improve your defense.