Learn the intricate Worm Guard BJJ technique, a powerful lapel-based guard for sweeps and back takes. Master its setups, variations, and common...
Guard
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Intermediate
The Worm Guard is a revolutionary lapel-based guard pioneered by BJJ phenom Keenan Cornelius, designed to create powerful off-balancing opportunities and Back Takes. It involves feeding your opponent's lapel under one of their legs and securing a grip, creating a dynamic control point to disrupt their base and initiate attacks. This advanced guard allows practitioners to dictate the pace and create unique angles for effective sweeps and submissions.
Technique Map
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Guard["Guard"]:::catNode
Guard --> Worm_Guard
Worm_Guard["Worm Guard"]:::currentNode
Worm_Guard -.-> Open_Guard["Open Guard"]:::relNode
Worm_Guard -.-> Half_Guard["Half Guard"]:::relNode
Worm_Guard -.-> Spider_Guard["Spider Guard"]:::relNode
Worm_Guard -.-> De_La_Riva_Guard["De La Riva Guard"]:::relNode
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How to Execute
1
Secure the Lapel Grip: From an open guard or seated position, obtain a deep grip on your opponent's far-side lapel with your top hand, ensuring a strong, secure hold.
2
Feed Under the Leg: With your other hand, grab the lapel from your first hand and feed it *under* your opponent's leg (usually the closest leg to you), passing it through to the other side.
3
Establish the Worm Grip: Secure a strong pistol grip on the fed lapel with your free hand, creating a tight connection between their lapel and their leg. This establishes the unique "worm" effect.
4
Create an Angle with Your Legs: With the lapel secured, use your free leg (the one not interacting with the lapel) to establish a shin-on-shin hook or a knee shield on your opponent's other leg, driving your knee outwards to create an angle.
5
Off-Balance and Attack: Maintain constant tension on the lapel grip and use your leg hooks to off-balance your opponent, creating opportunities to sweep, transition to the back, or set up leg attacks.
Key Details & Tips
1
Lapel Tension is Crucial: Always maintain constant, strong tension on the fed lapel. This is your primary control point and prevents your opponent from easily disengaging or posturing up.
2
Active Leg Work: Your non-lapel leg should be actively working, usually as a shin-on-shin hook or a butterfly hook, to control distance, create angles, and elevate your opponent.
3
Hip Movement and Angles: Don't stay flat on your back. Constantly move your hips and create dynamic angles to disrupt your opponent's balance and open up pathways for sweeps and back takes.
4
Posture Control: The worm grip effectively controls one of your opponent's legs and their posture simultaneously. Use this to break their posture forward or pull them off balance.
Variations
1
Worm Guard to Crab Ride: Transition directly from a Worm Guard setup into a crab ride position, often by switching the lapel grip to a cross-collar or belt grip as you take the back.
2
Worm Guard Berimbolo: Utilize the Worm Guard's strong lapel control to invert and initiate a Berimbolo, sweeping your opponent over their shoulder to gain a back take.
3
Worm Guard to Leg Drag: By creating a strong angle and pulling your opponent's leg with the lapel, you can transition to a powerful leg drag pass as they fall.
When to Use
The Worm Guard works best when your opponent is standing and attempting to pass from a standing position, especially if they are trying to apply pressure or are difficult to sweep with traditional guards. It's also highly effective when you have good lapel control from a seated or Open Guard and can feed the lapel efficiently, keeping them connected even if they try to disengage.
Counters & Defenses
1
Break the Lapel Grip: The primary defense is to prevent or break the initial lapel grip. If the worm grip is established, try to strip the grip from their hand or peel their fingers.
2
Step Over the Lapel: If the lapel is fed under your leg, quickly step the leg *over* the lapel, trapping it and preventing the opponent from maintaining tension or establishing the full worm grip.
3
Posture Up and Disengage: If the worm grip is loose or still forming, quickly posture straight up, create distance, and pull your leg free from the lapel.
βοΈ Training Safety & Performance
Q: Is the Worm Guard effective in No-Gi BJJ?
No, the Worm Guard is inherently a Gi-specific technique as it relies entirely on the use of the opponent's lapel for its primary control and leverage points. It cannot be applied in No-Gi BJJ.
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