BJJ Rubber Guard: Complete Guide to the Gogoplata System

Contents

What is the Rubber Guard?

The rubber guard is an advanced guard system developed by Eddie Bravo. It requires significant hip flexibility but rewards practitioners with powerful submission chains and back-take opportunities.

Rubber Guard Positions

Position	Description	Next Move
Mission Control	Leg hooked behind neck, arm controlled	Transition to New York
New York	Leg behind neck, double wrist control	Omoplata or chill dog
Chill Dog	Leg behind neck, underhook control	Gogoplata setup
Gogoplata	Shin across throat submission	Finish or sweep

Flexibility Requirements

Hip flexor mobility for leg-over-shoulder position
Hamstring flexibility to hold the position under pressure
Core strength to maintain the curl throughout

💡 Pro Tip: Practice holding mission control with a partner before attempting the full chain. Flexibility comes before technique here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What flexibility do I need for rubber guard?

Good hip flexor mobility and hamstring flexibility are essential. Most practitioners need 3-6 months of consistent stretching before rubber guard becomes comfortable.

What is "Mission Control" in rubber guard?

Mission Control is the first position in the rubber guard system — you control one of your opponent's arms while your leg is hooked behind their neck, limiting their posture options.

Is rubber guard effective in competition?

Yes, particularly in no-gi and submission-only formats. It's less common in gi BJJ but still effective when you have the flexibility to maintain it.