K-Guard System Guide | BJJ App Wiki
☰Contents
The K-guard in BJJ: position mechanics, entries from open guard, leg lock attacks, and how the Danaher Death Squad uses it.
The K-guard is a powerful outside-leg entanglement position that serves as a launching pad for outside heel hooks and back takes — a cornerstone of modern no-gi leg lock systems.
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What Is the K-Guard?
The K-guard (outside ashi garami or outside sankaku) is a leg entanglement where you control the opponent's outside leg: your inside knee points upward, your outside leg hooks behind their near hip, and you control the ankle of their far leg. The "K" shape comes from the leg configuration.
K-Guard vs. Ashi Garami
Standard ashi garami controls the inside leg with the leg between the opponent's legs. K-guard controls the outside leg, which threatens the outside heel hook — one of the most powerful and difficult-to-defend submissions in grappling. K-guard is preferred when inside position is blocked.
Entries to K-Guard
Common entries: from single-leg X-guard when the opponent steps over your inside leg, from failed inside ashi entries when they defend by turning out, during standing guard pulls where you reach for the outside leg, or from butterfly guard scrambles.
Attacks from K-Guard
The primary attack from K-guard is the outside heel hook — rotate your torso to outside while controlling the ankle and driving the knee down. Secondary attacks: inside heel hook if they turn in, kneebar if they straighten the leg, back take if they stand and turn.
K-Guard in Competition
The Danaher Death Squad (Gordon Ryan, Garry Tonon, Nick Rodriguez) has made K-guard a staple of modern no-gi. At ADCC 2022, Gordon Ryan used K-guard entries to set up outside heel hooks in multiple matches. It requires significant lower body entanglement training to use safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
K-guard itself is safe to practice. The outside heel hook (its primary finish) requires careful training — only practice with experienced partners who understand heel hook safety and always tap early.
Entering K-guard can be practiced at purple belt and above. The outside heel hook should only be trained where it is permitted — typically nogi training at advanced levels.
The K-guard position itself is legal. Outside heel hooks are not legal in most IBJJF gi divisions and are restricted by belt level in no-gi. Check the current IBJJF no-gi ruleset for your division.
Related Guides
→ 🛡️ Guard Types Guide→ 🛡️ Half Guard Guide→ 🦵 Leg Entanglement Systems→ 👕 No-Gi Concepts→ 🔗 Submission ChainsGet the BJJ Wiki Newsletter
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More Questions
What are the primary goals when entering K-Guard?
The main goals are to off-balance your opponent, create space for transitions, and set up submissions or sweeps. It's a dynamic guard that aims to control the opponent's hips and legs while maintaining your own mobility.
How do I prevent my opponent from passing my guard when I'm in K-Guard?
Maintaining strong grips on your opponent's legs and hips is crucial. Actively use your free leg to control their base and prevent them from establishing a strong posture or driving forward. Constant movement and adjustment are key to disrupting their passing attempts.
What are some common submissions that flow well from K-Guard?
Common submissions include the triangle choke, armbar, omoplata, and various leg locks like the heel hook. The structure of K-Guard allows you to isolate limbs and create leverage for these attacks.
Common BJJ Problems & FAQ
To maintain K-Guard, focus on driving your shin across your opponent's hip joint, creating a strong wedge that prevents them from posturing up. Simultaneously, use your free leg to hook their opposite leg's ankle or Achilles, preventing them from stepping out and maintaining your control base.
Initiate transitions by actively breaking your opponent's posture with a strong pull on their collar or sleeve, while simultaneously hip-escaping to create an angle. This movement allows you to drive your knee deeper into their hip and extend your hooking leg to off-balance them for the sweep or set up your submission.
Leverage in K-Guard comes from pinning their hip with your shin and using your knee to control their base, preventing them from driving forward. By maintaining tight control of their hip and ankle with your legs, you create a fulcrum that allows you to redirect their weight and off-balance them, regardless of their size.