Keywords: BJJ guard types, closed guard vs open guard, best guard for beginners, types of jiu-jitsu guards
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is often described as a game of inches, angles, and timing — and nowhere is that more evident than in the guard.
Whether you’re a white belt learning your first triangle or a black belt sweeping with single leg X, guard work is the core of control, defense, and attack in BJJ. In this post, we’ll break down the major types of guard in jiu-jitsu, how they function, and how to choose which guard is right for your body type and game.
🔰 What Is “Guard” in BJJ?
In simple terms, the guard is any position where one athlete is on their back (or hips) and actively using their legs to control the opponent.
But make no mistake — playing guard isn’t passive. It’s often an offensive, technical battle for control, leverage, and submission opportunities. The best guard players use timing, structure, and constant threats to keep opponents off balance and force mistakes.
🔍 Major Types of Guard (And When to Use Them)
1. Closed Guard
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Best for: Beginners, strong core players
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Attacks: Armbar, triangle, cross collar choke, hip bump sweep
The classic. Closed guard locks your legs around your opponent’s waist, controlling posture and limiting their ability to move. This guard is incredibly effective for submissions, especially early in a match or when the opponent is being overly aggressive.
Why it works: Closed guard simplifies decision-making. You can focus on breaking posture and isolating limbs.
2. Open Guard
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Best for: Intermediate players, athletic passers
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Attacks: Omoplata, tripod sweep, collar/sleeve control, spider transitions
Open guard refers to any variation where your feet are not locked — allowing for more mobility, transitions, and attacks. It’s a flexible concept that leads into more specialized guards.
Why it works: It gives you more movement options and creates distance, great for dealing with pressure passers.
3. De La Riva (DLR) Guard
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Best for: Gi players, flexible athletes
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Attacks: Tripod sweep, berimbolo, back takes
DLR is characterized by wrapping one leg around the outside of your opponent’s leg. It’s popular in gi competition and offers strong off-balancing mechanics.
Why it works: It disrupts the passer’s base and lets you play off angles and grips.
4. Spider Guard
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Best for: Tall, flexible players with good grips
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Attacks: Lasso transitions, triangle, collar drag
Using foot placement on the biceps (with sleeve grips), Spider Guard is about distance control and grip domination. It requires excellent hand strength and timing.
Why it works: Spider neutralizes pressure and stalls guard passers by controlling arms and posture.
5. Half Guard
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Best for: Wrestlers, heavy-bottom players
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Attacks: Underhook sweep, knee shield frames, deep half transitions
Half guard is not a “stalling” position anymore. It’s evolved into a technical, sweep-heavy system with tons of offshoots (like Z guard or deep half).
Why it works: It allows control and sweeping options even from a defensive posture — and it’s harder to pass than most people think.
6. Lasso Guard
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Best for: Defensive gi players, long-limbed athletes
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Attacks: Arm drag, lasso sweep, triangle choke
The lasso involves looping your leg around the opponent’s arm and back under — anchoring you in and making movement difficult for the passer.
Why it works: It’s frustrating to pass and allows you to safely slow the game down, especially when under pressure.
7. X-Guard / Single Leg X
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Best for: Advanced players, no-gi competitors
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Attacks: Technical stand-up sweep, back take, leg entanglements
These guards are heavily used in no-gi and modern leglock games. They involve elevating the opponent and controlling legs from underneath.
Why it works: It’s a sweeping powerhouse and a gateway to leg locks or positional advancements.
🤔 Choosing the Right Guard for Your Game
Not all guards are created equal — at least not for your body type, goals, and style.
| Body Type | Suggested Guards |
|---|---|
| Short & Stocky | Half guard, closed guard |
| Tall & Lanky | Spider, lasso, triangle-based guards |
| Explosive & Athletic | Open guard, De La Riva, X-guard |
| Beginner | Closed guard, knee shield half guard |
| Advanced Competitor | Hybrid systems: collar/sleeve > DLR > X-guard transitions |
🧠 Advanced Tip: Linking Guards Together
One of the keys to high-level guard play is not being married to a single guard — but linking positions together fluidly.
Example sequence:
Closed guard → Opponent stands → Transition to collar & sleeve open guard → Tripod sweep attempt → Opponent pulls back → De La Riva hook in → Sweep or back take.
Drill tip: Practice flowing between three guards in one sequence — one with control, one with movement, and one with attack.
🔚 Final Thoughts
Understanding the guard is essential — it’s not just a position, it’s a framework for winning. Whether you’re playing a simple closed guard or drilling berimbolo entries from De La Riva, the key is to stay technical, intentional, and adaptable.
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