The Z guard is among the most excellent positions in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is commonly entered from the standard half guard. Otherwise, this is a posture that allows you to use a variety of attacks and have considerable influence over your opponent.
This post will teach you some effective attacks from the Z guard in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, among other things. Stay tuned!
BJJ Z Guard Explained
The Z guard is a hybrid half guard that many jiu-jitsu practitioners use because it is effective. It gives the bottom player much control and a wide range of assault choices.
Aside from that, the Z guard was commonly invented in the 1990s by Roberto “Gordo” Correa, who was an aggressive bottom half-guard player. Indeed, Roberto is a pivotal player in Jiu Jitsu history and one of the Gracie Barra academy’s leading instructors.
Moreover, The Z guard is now utilized by the top grapplers, such as Gordon Ryan and Graig Jones, and has evolved to a high level of efficiency and a wide range of attacks.
The Z guard is a position where you have a knee shield on the opponent’s chest and your bottom leg catching their leg. It is an excellent way to control the space between you and your opponent. Otherwise, you use your nearby hand to hold the opponent’s upper body.
The Z guard is a position in which you have a knee shield on your opponent’s chest, and your bottom leg catches one of his legs. Otherwise, you grasp the opponent’s upper body with your nearest hand.
As a result, this is an excellent guard to keep the space between you and your opponent under control before switching quickly to attack. Now, I understand that the top grapplers enjoy playing this type of guard.
Tom Deblass explains the Z guard basics in the following video.
Source: BJJ Fanatics
Z Guard Attacks
The Z guard position is an excellent way to control and submit your opponent. This is because it provides various submissions, such as the triangle choke, armbar, kimura, leglocks, etc.
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Z Guard Armbar
The armbar is one of the most compelling submissions in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It can be done almost anywhere, including from a Z guard position.
In the video below, Craig Jones demonstrates how to set up an unstoppable armbar attack from Z Guard. Have fun!
Source: The Grapplers Guide by Jason Scully
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Z Guard Triangle Choke
Another tremendous Brazilian jiu-jitsu submission is the triangle choke. It can be done from almost any position, including the Z guard position.
In the video below, Lachlan Giles demonstrates an unstoppable triangle choke sequence from Z Guard. Have a great time!
Source: Absolute MMA St Kilda – Melbourne
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Z Guard Omoplata
The omoplata is another fantastic Brazilian jiu-jitsu submission that can be performed from the Z guard position.
The video below shows the process of doing an omoplata attack from Z Guard. Have a great time!
Source: Flux MMA
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Z Guard Kimura
The Kimura lock is another fantastic submission that can be performed from the Z guard.
The video below demonstrates an unstoppable Kimura lock sequence from Z Guard. Have a fantastic time!
Source: The Grappling Academy
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Inside Heel Hook from Z guard
Another astonishing leg attack that can be reached from the Z guard is the heel hook.
In the video below, Craig Jones demonstrates how to enter and finish the inside heel hook from a Z guard position. Have a good time!
Source: The Grapplers Guide by Jason Scully
Z Guard Sweeps
The Z guard provides various sweeping techniques, such as the rainbow sweep.
In the following video, Hiago Gama teaches you how to sweep your opponent from Z guard using the rainbow sweep.
Source: BJJ Fanatics
Z Guard Pass
Source: Gracie Barra HQ – California
Z Guard Vs Knee Shield
Source: MMA Leech
How to Use the Z Guard
Including the Z guard in your Jiu Jitsu arsenal will significantly improve your game, but you must remember the specifics. Here are some helpful hints for utilizing the Z guard.
Source: The Grapplers Guide by Jason Scully
Conclusion
The Z guard, also known as the knee shield guard, is a fantastic position in Brazilian jiu-jitsu commonly entered from the standard half guard. Otherwise, this is a posture that allows you to use a variety of attacks while exerting significant control over your opponent.
Gordon Ryan, Craig Jones, Lachlan Giles, and other well-known BJJ players all favor the Z guard. It’s a fluid sweeping posture that provides you and your complete opponent control. It can also offer some highly effective submissions, such as leg attacks.
Please share your thoughts; is the Z guard one of your favorite jiu-jitsu positions?
