If you’re just starting to train Jiu-Jitsu, the best guard to start with is, without a doubt, the closed guard.
Because your opponent is more “trapped” in it than in other guards, the closed guard is defensively safer, and it also opens up many attacks, such as submissions, sweeps and back takes.
In this video lesson I’ll show a back take technique from closed guard where, besides scoring the four points, I leave my opponent in a very uncomfortable position because of where their shoulder ends up.
Curious? Let’s train!
Closed guard
The closed guard is the first guard we work on in Jiu-Jitsu, because it’s the most basic and the safest. From it we can do many movements, such as submissions, sweeps and back takes.
Inside this guard the opponent doesn’t have many submission options, so they’re always exposed to the guard player’s attacks and are left with nothing but trying to pass the guard.
Video lesson - Back take from closed guard
Locking the shoulder
At the start of the movement, I grip my opponent’s sleeve with my left hand and bring their arm up over my head. At this point I use my legs to pull my opponent on top of me and go under their armpit, trapping their arm under my back.
Notice that I keep pressure on their shoulder the whole time to stop them from pulling the arm out and recovering their posture.
Hook to open space
The second option in the video lesson is worth highlighting, because it’ll help you if you have trouble finding space to put in the first hook for the back take. With both feet under my opponent’s shins, I extend their legs and escape my hips, opening the space I need to pull my bottom leg out and slide the hook in behind the knee.
Back take
After putting in the first hook and locking the seat belt, getting the second hook is just a matter of time. If you manage to stay on your opponent’s back, keeping your shoulders as close as possible to theirs, the chances of losing the position drop considerably.
In the article My opponent mounted me, now what? I explained what to do if your opponent is very closed up, stopping me from putting in the second hook and completing the back take.
Conclusion
Whether you’re going for submissions, sweeps or back takes, the secret to keeping your closed guard effective is to keep attacking. That way your opponent can’t attack you, because they’ll always have to defend before they can attack.
Did you like the video lesson? If you have any questions or suggestions for the next articles, get in touch and I’ll do my best to help you.
Big hug and good training! OSSS
Jiu-Jitsu video lessons, articles and stories with Matheus Zimmermann
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