For the longest time, my closed guard was trash. I would wrap my legs around my opponent, cling tightly, and hope they didn’t manage to pass.
The truth! They always managed to pass.
But one day, I decided enough was enough. If guys like Roger Gracie could build their entire game around closed guard, why couldn’t I?
I delved deeply into the fundamentals, rectified my mistakes, and transformed my closed guard into a formidable challenge for my training partners.
Here’s how I did it.
Rule 1: Break Their Posture or Get Smashed!
At first, I was letting my opponents sit up tall, hands on my hips, looking way too comfortable.
Big mistake!
If they have posture, they have control. And if they have control, they’ll pass.
I started focusing on immediately breaking their posture. Collar grips, overhooks, underhooks, sleeve control—anything to keep them hunched over and vulnerable.
The difference? Huge.
Suddenly, my opponents weren’t passing anymore. They were stuck.
Rule 2: Attack, Attack, Attack!
Once I stopped treating closed guard like a resting position, my game changed.
Instead of just holding on, I started constantly threatening sweeps and submissions.
🔹 Arm drags → Back takes
🔹 Collar grips → Cross chokes
🔹 Wrist control → Triangle setups
Even if my first attack didn’t work, it forced my opponent to defend, which gave me openings for something else.
When you make your opponent react, you’re in control.
Rule 3: Hips and Angles Are Everything!
The biggest mistake I made early on? Staying flat on my back.
A flat guard is a dead guard.
I started angling my hips, moving side to side, and using my legs not just to hold—but to control.
This opened up sweeps, submissions, and transitions I never saw before.
Now, when someone tries to sit up, I’m already off to the side attacking before they even realize it.
The Results? My Closed Guard Became a Weapon!
I went from getting my guard passed constantly to sweeping and submitting guys who used to crush me.
I stopped playing defense and started dictating the fight.
I felt the difference. And more importantly — so did my training partners.
Want a Tough Closed Guard? Do This!
✅ Break Their Posture! Never let them sit up tall and comfortable.
✅ Stay offensive! Always attack—sweepings, submissions, transitions.
✅ Use Your Hips! Move, angle off, and don’t stay flat.
Ever struggled with keeping opponents controlled? What’s your go-to attack from a closed guard? Drop a comment — I’d love to hear your story!
Thank you for reading! ━ ◦ ❖ ◦━ Subscribe to my newsletter to receive the latest MMA Jiu-Jitsu stories and news as soon as they are published.
My Top 3 Best Knee Pads for BJJ—A Story on the Importance of the Right Knee Gear for Grappling!
