Closed Guard: Pass the Hips or Take the Back vs Sweep, Back, or Stand Up
Mat mode
3:00
Tell the roomBreak open the closed guard and pass, or take the back.
Show full gameHide full gameRules · how to win · video
Notes (this phone)
TOP (INSIDE CLOSED GUARD)
POSITION
Inside your partner's closed guard.
OBJECTIVE
Break open the closed guard and pass, or take the back.
CONSTRAINTS
A pass counts only when both of your knees are past their hip line; quarter guard with both knees past still counts. Chest to back counts only behind both elbows. If you end up chest to back but still in front of both elbows (a front-headlock spot), play on: you win there by getting behind both elbows, and they win if they get up to both feet and disconnect.
WIN CONDITION
Both knees past the bottom player's hip line, or chest to back behind both elbows.
BOTTOM (CLOSED GUARD)
POSITION
On your back with your closed guard around your partner.
OBJECTIVE
Get on top, get to the back, or get up.
CONSTRAINTS
A sweep counts when you settle top position, however you get there. Chest to back counts on top or on the floor, behind both elbows. If you end up chest to back but in front of both elbows, play on: you win there by getting up to both feet and breaking away with no front head control on you and no strong single-leg or takedown threat, or by moving behind both elbows.
WIN CONDITION
Settle top position, get chest to back behind both elbows, or get up to both feet.
Reference video
Open video · Joshua Settlage
Joshua Settlage, How I'm Using The "Constraints Led Approach" (CLA) to Improve My Guard Game (free video on the Joshua Settlage YouTube channel, Game 2).
Problem
Inside your partner's closed guard.
Tell the room
Break open the closed guard and pass, or take the back. Get on top, get to the back, or get up.
Setup
Inside your partner's closed guard. On your back with your closed guard around your partner.
Score
Both knees past the bottom player's hip line, or chest to back behind both elbows. Settle top position, get chest to back behind both elbows, or get up to both feet.
Rules
- A pass counts only when both of your knees are past their hip line; quarter guard with both knees past still counts.
- Chest to back counts only behind both elbows.
- If you end up chest to back but still in front of both elbows (a front-headlock spot), play on: you win there by getting behind both elbows, and they win if they get up to both feet and disconnect.
- A sweep counts when you settle top position, however you get there.
- Chest to back counts on top or on the floor, behind both elbows.
- If you end up chest to back but in front of both elbows, play on: you win there by getting up to both feet and breaking away with no front head control on you and no strong single-leg or takedown threat, or by moving behind both elbows.
guard