Head and Arm Hold vs Open and Disengage
Mat mode
3:00
Tell the roomBring your partner close and keep them there.
Show full gameHide full gameRules · how to win · video
BOTTOM PLAYER
POSITION
On your back with your partner in your closed guard.
OBJECTIVE
Bring your partner close and keep them there.
CONSTRAINTS
Grip the back of the head to keep their posture broken, and control one arm so they can't pull away. Switch roles after each win. Play three-minute rounds.
WIN CONDITION
Hold head and arm control, with your partner pulled close, for two seconds.
TOP PLAYER
POSITION
Kneeling in your partner's closed guard.
OBJECTIVE
Don't get pulled into head and arm control. Open the guard and get out.
CONSTRAINTS
Any way out works: peel the feet, stand up, or break the legs open. Switch roles after each win.
WIN CONDITION
Open the closed guard and disengage to a neutral position.
Reference video
Open video · Josh Beam BJJ
Josh Beam BJJ with Greg Souders (Standard Jiu-Jitsu), How to teach BJJ without drilling (ecological game design with Greg Souders) (free video on the Josh Beam BJJ YouTube channel, 18 Apr 2024).
Problem
On your back with your partner in your closed guard.
Tell the room
Bring your partner close and keep them there. Don't get pulled into head and arm control.
Setup
On your back with your partner in your closed guard. Kneeling in your partner's closed guard.
Score
Hold head and arm control, with your partner pulled close, for two seconds. Open the closed guard and disengage to a neutral position.
Rules
- Grip the back of the head to keep their posture broken, and control one arm so they can't pull away.
- Switch roles after each win.
- Play three-minute rounds.
- Any way out works: peel the feet, stand up, or break the legs open.
guard