Beginning BJJ: Dont let them get close… develop a guard.

Summary

This video provides an introduction to guard retention in Jiu-Jitsu, focusing on the concept of a 'guard' and its importance in maintaining distance and controlling your opponent. It explains various types of guards, including full guard, half guard, butterfly guard, and open guard, highlighting their applications in both Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. The instructor suggests that beginners focus on learning half guard due to its ease of entry, versatility, and effectiveness for pin escapes, sweeps, and submissions. Emphasis is also placed on using frames to manage space and distance for successful guard retention.

Takeaways

• 😀 A guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is any position where an opponent's body is between your legs, providing a way to control distance and set up offense from the bottom.
• 😀 Guard retention is essential in BJJ. It involves maintaining frames (limbs used to control the opponent) to prevent them from passing your guard or dominating the position.
• 😀 Full guard is a foundational guard where the bottom player controls the opponent, but it requires solid retention skills as opponents will try to escape quickly.
• 😀 Half guard is an excellent starting point for beginners as it's easier to enter than full guard, and it provides control over one of the opponent’s legs, enabling sweeps, submissions, and wrestling transitions.
• 😀 Butterfly guard involves using your legs to manipulate the opponent’s balance and can lead to sweeps and transitions to more dominant positions.
• 😀 Open guard is played when the opponent is standing, using your legs to keep them at a distance, which can set up advanced techniques like leg locks.
• 😀 Frames are the key to effective guard retention. They create space, control the opponent’s center of mass, and prevent the opponent from gaining dominant positions.
• 😀 Maintaining distance and controlling space are crucial when playing guard. A well-executed guard keeps the opponent from pinning or controlling your upper body.
• 😀 The half guard is highly applicable in MMA and self-defense, as it’s a position commonly found in real-life altercations or during transitions from standing to the ground.
• 😀 Many pin escapes naturally flow into half guard, making it a valuable position to practice repeatedly for beginners and advancing your guard game.

Q & A

What does the term 'guard' mean in Jiu-Jitsu?

In Jiu-Jitsu, a 'guard' refers to a position where a part of your opponent's body is between your legs. It is a defensive position used to control distance and manage the opponent's movement, allowing you to stay offensive while on the bottom.

How does guard retention differ from other grappling arts like wrestling?

In Jiu-Jitsu, guard retention allows a fighter to remain offensive from the bottom by using their legs to control and manage distance, which contrasts with wrestling, where the emphasis is often on controlling from the top and maintaining a dominant position.

What is the main advantage of playing guard in Jiu-Jitsu?

The main advantage of playing guard is that it allows a bottom player to use their legs to control their opponent, making it possible to sweep, submit, or manage distance even when on their back, which is a key aspect of Jiu-Jitsu.

Why is it suggested to start learning half guard rather than full guard in Jiu-Jitsu?

Starting with half guard is beneficial because it has a lower barrier to entry. It's easier to achieve and provides more opportunities for developing your game, such as sweeping, wrestling, and leg locks, which are applicable to both Jiu-Jitsu and MMA.

What is the difference between full guard and half guard?

Full guard is when both of your legs are wrapped around your opponent's body, creating more control over them. Half guard, on the other hand, involves one leg between the opponent’s legs, which still offers control but with more flexibility for movement and transition.

How does 'frame' relate to guard positions?

In guard positions, a 'frame' refers to using your limbs to create distance and prevent your opponent from closing in on you. A frame helps protect your center mass and supports your ability to manage distance and create opportunities for sweeps or submissions.

What are some common guard positions mentioned in the script?

Some common guard positions include full guard, half guard, butterfly guard, and open guard. Each guard provides different ways to control the opponent, manage distance, and set up sweeps or submissions.

How does half guard contribute to MMA and street fight scenarios?

Half guard is especially valuable in MMA and street fights because it allows you to control your opponent's movement from a low position, set up sweeps or escapes, and defend against strikes, making it a versatile and practical position in real-world combat.

What are the key benefits of learning half guard as a beginner?

Learning half guard as a beginner is beneficial because it’s easy to achieve and is closely tied to pin escapes, which are commonly encountered in live rolls. Additionally, half guard transitions smoothly into other guards and offers a solid foundation for both wrestling and submission techniques.

How does the concept of inside real estate apply in Jiu-Jitsu guard positions?

Inside real estate refers to the space inside your opponent's body that you control with your limbs. In guard positions, maintaining inside real estate is crucial for defending against pins and maintaining control over your opponent, as they cannot effectively pin you if you control this space.