Closed Guard: Fundamentals, Strategy, and Study Plan

What Is the Closed Guard and Why It Matters

The closed guard is a supine bottom position where your legs are crossed behind your opponent’s back, clamping their hips and limiting movement. Because your hips are connected and their posture is contested, you can slow the fight, off-balance them, and create high-percentage submissions and sweeps.

Why it matters in live training: the closed guard equalizes strength, punishes rushed passing, and gives smaller athletes a safe framework to attack. In gi, grips like collars and sleeves supercharge control. In no-gi, wrist, head, and overhook controls do the job. If you can enter, close, and maintain guard reliably, you always have a path to offense.

Closed Guard Videos on BJJ University (Top 20 Videos, Top 10 Courses)

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Never use a Body Triangle From Closed Guard

16s · JoshRichBJJ

In this video, instructor JoshRichBJJ demonstrates how to execute a calf slicer from a closed guard position. The instructor emphasizes the mistake of using a body triangle from closed guard. After his opponent employs this flawed technique, he capitalizes by bringing his leg up to trap his opponent's foot, ultimately submitting them with a calf slicer.

Position: Closed Guard Category: Submissions

Oliveira's Brilliant Jiu Jitsu 🥋 | Technique Breakdown #ufc #breakdown

1m · Not Mapped

The video provides a detailed breakdown of Charles Olivera's brilliant foot sweep technique and closed guard transitions. It explains how Olivera uses pulling and blocking to attempt a sweep, and how he manages the closed guard position to maintain distance and control. The video particularly focuses on the technical standup technique executed by Olivera to move from ground to standing position. This standup allows him to have a strong base and wrestle up effectively.

Position: Closed Guard Category: Transitions

PREMIUM

The Daisy Fresh Curriculum: White Belt Bundle by Heath Pedigo

$697.00 • BJJ Fanatics

The video is an instructional masterclass by Heath Pedigo, specifically designed for white belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioners. It provides comprehensive strategies and techniques focusing on standing techniques, attacking from the closed guard position, guard retention and escaping from difficult positions. It also offers specific training details for rapid improvement, teaching unique escapes and tournament tested techniques such as taking the back from closed guard and finishing with the bow and arrow choke. The package includes all four videos covering these techniques and strategies.

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Powerful CLOSED GUARD PASS! 💥 #bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsu

27s · Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu

This video teaches a powerful technique for passing the Closed Guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Instructor Jordan demonstrates how to trap the opponent's arm behind their back, slide down the wrist while placing the head on the mat, and then transition the opponent's hand from one hand to the other to achieve a dominant position. He highlights the importance of keeping legs flat on the mat and using the hip-switch to overcome a tight guard. The video ends with Jordan inviting viewers to check out his Jiu-Jitsu Theory course.

Position: Closed Guard Category: Guard Passing

The First 4 Sweeps You Need To Know | Jiu-Jitsu Basics

7m · Eli Knight

This video features BJJ instructor, Eli Knight, going over four basic sweeps from a closed guard position: the elevator, hip bump, scissor, and pendulum sweeps. Eli thoroughly explains the motions, pointing out common mistakes made when performing these moves and providing solutions to correct these mistakes. These techniques are presented as essential for any Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, and recommendations on combining them with other techniques are also provided. The video emphasizes the importance of recognising the opponent's body position, posture, and weight distribution in deciding which sweep to use.

Technique: Elevator Sweep Position: Closed Guard Category: Sweeps

PREMIUM

Systematically Attacking From Closed Guard by Gordon Ryan

$349.00 • BJJ Fanatics

This video teaches learners about Gordon Ryan's system for sweeping and submitting opponents from the closed guard position. Developed with John Danaher, the system is designed to be effective regardless of age or skill level. With emphasis on these fundamentals, learners can elevate their closed guard game and improve their overall performance in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

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3 closed guard sweeps #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsu #bjj

23s · Dubious Dom

This YouTube video by Dubious Dom presents three different techniques for executing sweeps from the closed guard position when your opponent stands up. Techniques covered include the Muscle Sweep which involves underhooking your opponent's leg while bridging off your shoulders, the Up and Over Sweep which requires you to swing your legs to your hands and knees before standing up, and the Alma Plata Sweep which involves a cross grip and underhook, dropping your shin to their armpit, and driving them forward. Due to the concise nature of the video, repetition and drilling might be necessary to fully grasp the sweeps' execution.

Technique: Muscle Sweep Position: Closed Guard Category: Sweeps

What to Focus On as a New BJJ White Belt with No Submissions

6m · Chewjitsu

The video by Chewjitsu provides a beginners guide for those new to Brazilian Jiu-Jistu, particularly focusing on white belts with limited to no submissions in their technical arsenal. The lesson emphasizes survival strategies and the importance of maintaining control in the full guard position. Chewjitsu discusses how to break the posture of an opponent effectively and how to handle various defensive scenarios from both the top and bottom positions. The instructor encourages learners to set small, achievable goals and progressively expand their techniques over time.

Position: Closed Guard Category: Survival/Defense

PREMIUM

The Black Hole: No-Gi Closed Guard by Professor Henry Akins

$279.00 • BJJ Fanatics

This instructional video features BJJ legend, Professor Henry Akins, demonstrating the power and effectiveness of the No-Gi Closed Guard. He unveils unique techniques to control, sweep, and submit opponents effectively and provides intricate details about manipulating opponents' posture, controlling their weight, and adjusting angles. Akins aims to challenge the assumption that the closed guard is ineffective without the gi, hoping to change viewers' perspectives towards making the closed guard their best position.

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3 simple closed guard submissions you need to know!#jiujitsu #jiujitsutips

49s · Matt Arroyo

This video is a quick tutorial by Matt Arroyo on executing three simple submissions from the closed guard position. He first demonstrates how to perform a Kimura when your opponent places his hands on the mat. If the opponent is too strong to move for the Kimura, Matt shows how to transition to a Guillotine choke. Lastly, he teaches how to execute an Armbar when the opponent is playing low.

Technique: Armbar Position: Closed Guard Category: Submissions

HOW TO OPEN CLOSED GUARD - JOHN DANAHER

39s · John Danaher

In this video, John Danaher teaches how to open closed guard in BJJ. He demonstrates the steps of coming up, putting one knee in the center and flexing the hamstring. The key details are to walk the left leg into alignment, posturing the knee right on the opponent's tailbone, and then inserting a knee post in the center to break the opponent's closed guard.

Position: Closed Guard Category: Guard Passing

PREMIUM

Inside The Closed Guard by Henry Akins

$279.00 • BJJ Fanatics

This video presents Henry Akins demonstrating his strategies and techniques for effectively handling situations Inside the Closed Guard. Akins offers tips on how to control the bottom player, protect against submissions, and eventually disrupt the Guard Position for Pass. The video puts a focus on handling common attacks such as the hip bump sweep, armbar, and cross collar choke. Additionally, Akins shares his signature "arm behind the back" guard break and pass technique, as well as his ultimate triangle escape. In summary, it's an insightful guide for anyone looking to improve their game Inside the Closed Guard.

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Kimura tutorial - John Danaher #shorts #shortsvideo #shortsfeed

47s · John Danaher

This instructional video features John Danaher demonstrating a kimura submission from the closed guard position. Initially setting up what seems to be a triangle, he explains the importance of positioning, leg locking, and wrist exposure in order to effectively achieve the submission. By taking the opponent's elbow into the armpit and controlling the opponent's head, a bone-breaking submission can be achieved with only minimal movement. This variation of the kimura is one that Danaher strongly favors and recommends.

Technique: Kimura Position: Closed Guard Category: Submissions

BJJ Techniques: Arm Drag to Back Take by Gordon Ryan

5m · Gordon Ryan

Gordon Ryan, a renowned BJJ grappler, presents an instructional video on the technique of transitioning from a Closed Guard position to a Back Take using an Arm Drag. Highlighting the importance of gripping, he demonstrates multiple scenarios where an arm drag could be employed and elaborates the process of performing it. Ryan emphasizes the need for an excellent grip, precise movements, and maintaining offensive control from the very beginning to ensure success. He discusses the significance of putting weight on the partner's arm and turning the chest downwards to maintain control and thwart the opponent's attempts to regain posture.

Technique: Back Take Position: Closed Guard Category: Transitions

PREMIUM

Closed Guard Attacks by Henry Akins

$279.00 • BJJ Fanatics

Henry Akins, a highly-regarded longtime black belt, provides instruction on improving your closed guard game in "Closed Guard Attacks." This video offers insights into developing a sophisticated system of closed guard attacks that Henry has refined over decades in Jiu-Jitsu. He provides a systematic approach to building hard-to-stop closed guard combinations, thereby posing significant challenges for opponents forced to choose between being swept or submitted. The series adds new life to classic techniques with unique details that can be easily overlooked in today's vast range of techniques.

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The Closed Guard Passing Video That Will Keep On Giving

5m · Jean Jacques Machado

This video features 5th degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt instructor, Jean Jacques Machado, demonstrating techniques to pass closed guard. He emphasises the importance of body positioning and leverage to effectively break open your opponent's guard – mainly focusing on keeping your shoulders behind your opponent's belt and using your hips for connection and pressure. Machado highlights that the concept of 'looking straight forward' instead of at the opponent can streamline your body shape and make it more difficult for the opponent to maintain their guard. He also teaches how to properly deflect the opponent's legs to move into a controlling position.

Position: Closed Guard Category: Guard Passing

How to ESCAPE CLOSED GUARD

13s · John Danaher

This video features John Danaher teaching how to escape from a closed guard position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The technique involves bracing on the opponent's upper body and biceps, moving to a standing position, and using a reach back method to break open the opponent's closed guard. The video is part of a training series provided by BJJ Fanatics.

Position: Closed Guard Category: Escapes

PREMIUM

Simplify the System: Side Scissor by Brian Glick

$197.00 • BJJ Fanatics

The video is a five-part instructional course by BJJ black belt Brian Glick which revolves around mastering the side scissor from the closed guard position. The side scissor is a unique closed guard variation that helps you to outflank opponents, avoid pressure, and generates diverse offense. It presents a system of attack whereby forcing the opponent into predictable defensive reactions. This position allows the user to take their opponent's back or create opportunities for sweeps and submissions. The course semantics include techniques like the knee pull, 2 on 1 grip, and utilizing head height. It also navigates through integrating other closed guard variations like the top lock and clamp position with the side scissor.

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This is the BEST way to open the closed guard. Take notes!

27s · Matt Arroyo

In this video, UFC veteran and BJJ black belt instructor Matt Arroyo presents a foolproof method for opening the closed guard. Arroyo teaches to first posture up, step the knee up and turn it, which weakens the opponent's position. The next move is to place the hand inside and lean with an entire body rotation to break open the guard. Once the closed guard is open, this creates opportunities for knee-over passes or coming under for other passes.

Position: Closed Guard Category: Guard Passing

Ryan Hall The Triangle - Closed Guard: Hip Bump Triangle

8m · Ryan Hall

The video features well-known BJJ practitioner, Ryan Hall, demonstrating a submission technique known as the Hip Bump Triangle from the closed guard position. He emphasizes the importance of disrupting an opponent's balance before initiating the technique, by forcing them to either fall or post their hand. The technique also entails pulling the wrist forward, forcing the opponent to instinctively pull back, subsequently creating an opening to execute the submission. The instructor underscores the need for attaching to the opponent and completing the lock in mid-air, as falling back could create space for the opponent to escape.

Technique: Triangle Choke Position: Closed Guard Category: Submissions

PREMIUM

Closed Guard Efficiency by Rayron Gracie

$197.00 • BJJ Fanatics

In this video, representative of the iconic Gracie family in jiu-jitsu, Rayron Gracie teaches on efficiency in the closed-guard position. Emphasizing cleanliness of technique and timeless principles, the course offers a structured approach for any jiu-jitsu practitioner level. Abiding by the Gracie reputation, the focus is on simplicity and high-level fundamentals against resisting opponents, with no room for gimmicks or unnecessary complexity.

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ROGER GRACIE Explains the Best Closed Guard in BJJ

11m · Roger Gracie

In this video, jiu-jitsu legend Roger Gracie demonstrates his approach to maintaining a closed guard, with a focus on posture control. Gracie explains the importance of not allowing your opponent to achieve a strong grip in the middle of your chest, which would enable them to break your guard. By preventing this and forcing them to place their hands elsewhere, Gracie asserts that it weakens their posture and disrupts their attempts to stand. The video offers a deep dive into Gracie's strategy and technique, illustrating how to apply physical pressure and strategic positioning to maintain control from a closed guard position.

Position: Closed Guard Category: Guard Retention

How To Build The Perfect BJJ Closed Guard Game by John Danaher

21m · John Danaher

This YouTube video features BJJ instructor John Danaher sharing his strategies on how to build the perfect closed guard game. He discusses the importance and advantage of closed guard in BJJ and how everyone, regardless of body type, can effectively play this position. He challenges the idea that closed guard is a neutral or defensive position, promoting it instead as an aggressive, attacking position. He also explains how small adjustments in a neutral position can confer a mechanical or tactical advantage, transforming it into a mildly dominant position.

Position: Closed Guard Category: Guard Retention

PREMIUM

Closed Guard: BJJ Fundamentals - Go Further Faster by John Danaher

$197.00 • BJJ Fanatics

This video features instructor John Danaher teaching techniques on how to exploit vulnerabilities from the Closed Guard position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). He presents six main vulnerabilities to target, breaks down the mechanics behind each attack, and explains the strategic significance of these tactics. Aside from focusing on attacking, Danaher also emphasizes how to counter moves from the opponents. Various technical methods to achieve top locks, clamp guards, and side scissors are demonstrated throughout the video.

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Easy to Use Entire Closed Guard System

8m · Jon Thomas

Jon Thomas introduces viewers to a system for attacking from closed guard, a position often taught to beginners in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He emphasizes the importance of breaking down an opponent's posture to initiate attacks. He examines different common responses an opponent might have, such as using hands on thighs, floor, high or low on the chest, and shows viewers how to counter these defenses effectively. The system focuses on isolating an opponent’s arm to set up for various submissions such as the triangle choke.

Technique: Concepts / Systems Position: Closed Guard Category: Guard Retention

Easiest Control in Closed Guard

45s · Jon Thomas

The YouTube video by Jon Thomas focuses on controlling one's opponent in the closed guard position. He emphasizes the importance of pummeling under the opponent's arms to gain the inside position and then pinning the elbow to the opponent's chest to prevent re-pummeling. This control technique makes it much easier to break the opponent's posture to attack with collar chokes, progress up to arm bars, and more.

Position: Closed Guard Category: Positional Control

PREMIUM

New Wave Jiu Jitsu: Closed Guard - Building a Complete Closed Guard System by John Danaher

$197.00 • BJJ Fanatics

This course offers a comprehensive strategy for effective closed guard retention taught by John Danaher. The instructor delves deep into closed guard techniques such as the side scissor, the clamp, double underhooks, and the top lock. There's emphasis on attacking legs against opponents who stand within the guard, and employing leg locking strategies. Another key concept taught is a two-stage method to controlling the fight for shorter grapplers.

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4 Full Guard Sweeps Every BJJ White Belt Should Learn As Early As Possible

8m · Chewjitsu

This video, hosted by Chewjitsu, is an instructional video on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, specifically focusing on four fundamental full guard sweeps recommended for white belts. The instructor demonstrates each move, explaining the importance and application of each one in both defensive and offensive situations. Some of the sweeps demonstrated include the Scissor Sweep, the Kimura or Hip Bump Sweep and the Pendulum Sweep. The fourth sweep is not specified in the provided video transcript. The video stresses the usefulness of these techniques not just as stand-alone moves but also for setting up combinations and other attacks in BJJ.

Technique: Kimura Position: Closed Guard Category: Sweeps

How To Perfect Your Guard Passing No Gi by John Danaher

21m · John Danaher

In this video, BJJ instructor John Danaher shares his knowledge on guard passing in a no-gi context. Danaher, known for his students' excellent leg locking skills, emphasizes the importance of mastering guard passing to be able to attack effectively. He explains that there are four main scenarios that require specific guard passing strategies and starts by focusing on dealing with a closed guard. He stresses that diversification in attacking is CRUCIAL in BJJ, reinforcing that only attacking the legs or upper body limits a practitioner's ability to be successful in submissions.

Position: Closed Guard Category: Guard Passing

PREMIUM

The Daisy Fresh Curriculum: White Belt Stripe 1 by Heath Pedigo

$197.00 • BJJ Fanatics

This video, "The Daisy Fresh Curriculum: White Belt Stripe 1" features Heath Pedigo, a renowned BJJ head coach, demonstrating his effective curriculum aimed at white belt students. He focuses on the fundamentals like attack strategies from the closed guard, guard retention, and how to escape from tricky positions. Heath provides unique training tips for quick skills improvement, explaining escape plans for some of Jiu-Jitsu’s challenging positions. He also covers match-winning techniques used in tournaments, such as back-taking from closed guard and finalizing with the commonly effective bow and arrow choke.

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Main Objectives for Top and Bottom Players

Bottom player goals: break posture, angle off your center line, and progress to dominant attacks or top position. You’ll use your legs to pull their hips in, your hands to manage head, wrist, or collars, and your core to sit up or pivot. Key outcomes include armbar, triangle, and omoplata combinations; hip bump and pendulum sweeps; and transitions like closed guard to mount.

Top player goals: keep posture, centerline, and stable base; open the legs without exposing arms or neck; and immediately begin passing. You’ll align your spine, control biceps or hips, and stand or wedge a knee to start opening the closed guard. Winning this battle early prevents the bottom player from chaining attacks.

Attacks, Escapes, and Transitions You Should Know

Breaking posture in closed guard: prioritize head control (hand behind the head or collar grip), two-on-one wrist control, and engaging your legs to pull their hips forward. Combine a strong crunch with a pull on the head or sleeves to deny them upright posture.

Core submission chain: armbar–triangle–omoplata. Use the armbar to force a defensive reaction; when they pull the arm out, clamp and pivot to triangle; if they posture or stack, switch to omoplata. Drilling this loop teaches angle creation, shoulder control, and leg dexterity.

High-percentage sweeps: hip bump (sit up, post hand, bump with hips, secure mount), pendulum/flower sweep (control sleeve or wrist, underhook leg, swing your leg like a pendulum), and tripod/ankle pick variations when they stand. These options punish a posting hand, a forward-leaning posture, or a staggered base.

Control variations: overhook closed guard is excellent for no-gi when collar grips aren’t available; lapel closed guard in gi adds anchors for posture control and cross-collar threats; high guard and clamp-style guards increase shoulder isolation to finish armbars and triangles; Williams guard and side closed guard give angle and elbow-knee connection to trap an arm.

Transitions: closed guard to mount via hip bump follow-through or cross-collar setups that topple them; back takes when they stand and expose space under the armpit; and re-guard sequences if they begin opening the closed guard.

Opening and Passing the Closed Guard (Top Player Essentials)

Principles: maintain tall posture, elbows tight and inside, and neutral head–hip alignment. Don’t post both hands on the mat or reach deep with one arm. Control the hips with your hands and forearms while positioning a knee or standing to create space.

Kneeling opens: knee-in-tailbone wedge while controlling the belt/hips, then walk back to pry the ankles apart. Immediately pin a shin or knee to prevent their reclose and start passing.

Standing opens: establish posture grips, step one foot up at a time, push the hips back, and use your elbow-knee frame to open the ankles. As soon as the guard opens, initiate passing staples like knee-cut, toreando, or body lock, depending on grips and reactions.

Safety cues: never let your elbow drift across their centerline without a corresponding frame; avoid bending forward as you stand; and be ready to retreat a leg to address pendulum or tripod off-balances.

What to Study First

Foundations: learn posture breaking, hip movement, and angle creation before memorizing dozens of moves. Start with two submission chains (armbar–triangle–omoplata and cross-collar/gi or guillotine/no-gi) and two sweeps (hip bump and pendulum). Drill each with trigger reactions so one move feeds the next.

Bottom study order: 1) grips and leg engagement to break posture, 2) hip bump and pendulum mechanics, 3) armbar–triangle–omoplata flow, 4) overhook closed guard for no-gi and cross-collar sequences for gi, 5) transitions to mount or back.

Top study order: 1) posture and hand positioning, 2) one kneeling and one standing guard open, 3) immediate pass off the open (knee-cut or toreando), 4) countering common attacks (stuffing triangles, stacking armbars, rolling out of omoplata safely), 5) re-centering if the guard re-closes.

Use BJJ University to Learn the Closed Guard Faster

BJJ University is a free, curated learning hub that organizes Brazilian jiu-jitsu videos, short clips, detailed breakdowns, and instructional resources. Use the navigation menu to browse by instructor, technique, position, category, and training topic so you can compare approaches and find what clicks for you.

Start at the Closed Guard page to explore structured playlists for posture breaking, armbars, triangles, omoplatas, hip bump and pendulum sweeps, overhook and lapel systems, and open-guard transitions when opponents stand. You’ll see gi and no-gi examples side-by-side so you can spot the universal principles and the grip differences.

Bookmark the site, check back as new clips are added, and share it with teammates or friends who want more free BJJ learning resources. Use the collections to build a weekly study plan: pick one submission chain and one sweep focus, then add five minutes of troubleshooting clips for top player defense and opening the closed guard. This balanced approach accelerates improvement for both sides of the position. Browse this page on BJJ University.

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Related BJJ University Pages

• 1Closed Guard main page: Start here to browse curated videos, clips, and breakdowns organized for closed guard study.
• 2All BJJ positions: Explore related positions and build a complete top and bottom game around closed guard entries and counters.
• 3Butterfly Guard Position Guide: Compare related BJJ University position study guides.
• 4Crab Ride Position Guide: Compare related BJJ University position study guides.