Elbow Isolation Game
Mat mode
3:00
Tell the roomFree your arms, recover posture, open the closed guard, or pass. Trap one of the top player's arms against your body.
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Notes (this phone)
TOP PLAYER
POSITION
On knees inside closed guard (partner's legs locked around the waist, ankles crossed).
OBJECTIVE
Free your arms, recover posture, open the closed guard, or pass.
CONSTRAINTS
Start on the knees inside the closed guard. Reset when either side scores. Default rounds 1–3 minutes. Role rotate after each reset.
WIN CONDITION
Open the closed guard (ankles uncrossed and legs separated), or complete a pass past the knee line.
BOTTOM PLAYER
POSITION
Closed guard — legs wrapped around the top player's waist, ankles crossed.
OBJECTIVE
Trap one of the top player's arms against your body.
CONSTRAINTS
Same start and reset. Use legs and hips as well as hands; the score is the trapped arm, not a named sweep.
WIN CONDITION
Trap one of the top player's arms against your body and hold for three continuous seconds.
Jamie Clubb, Constraints Led Guard Games for Submission Grappling Beginners.
Problem
On knees inside closed guard (partner's legs locked around the waist, ankles crossed).
Setup
On knees inside closed guard (partner's legs locked around the waist, ankles crossed). Closed guard — legs wrapped around the top player's waist, ankles crossed.
Score
Open the closed guard (ankles uncrossed and legs separated), or complete a pass past the knee line. Trap one of the top player's arms against your body and hold for three continuous seconds.
Rules
- Start on the knees inside the closed guard.
- Reset when either side scores.
- Default rounds 1–3 minutes.
- Role rotate after each reset.
- Same start and reset.
- Use legs and hips as well as hands; the score is the trapped arm, not a named sweep.
guard
Wall card
Elbow Isolation Game
Foundations
TOP PLAYER
Position
On knees inside closed guard (partner's legs locked around the waist, ankles crossed).
Win condition
Open the closed guard (ankles uncrossed and legs separated), or complete a pass past the knee line.
Constraints
Start on the knees inside the closed guard. Reset when either side scores. Default rounds 1–3 minutes. Role rotate after each reset.
BOTTOM PLAYER
Position
Closed guard — legs wrapped around the top player's waist, ankles crossed.
Win condition
Trap one of the top player's arms against your body and hold for three continuous seconds.
Constraints
Same start and reset. Use legs and hips as well as hands; the score is the trapped arm, not a named sweep.