BJJ Pathfinder
Illustration of closed guard from the bottom: the player in orange is on their back with legs locked around their kneeling opponent's waist
Position 02 / 11

Closed guard

You are on your back with your legs locked around their waist. Break their posture, then attack or sweep.

What do you want to do?

18 moves
SubmissionsArmbar from guard · Triangle choke · Kimura from guard · +521 videosSweepsScissor sweep · Hip bump sweep · Flower sweep · +114 videosTransitionsOpen guard when they stand1 videoBack takesArm drag to back2 videosControlsBreaking posture · Overhook / clamp guard · High guard · +19 videos

About Closed guard, bottom

Closed guard is the first guard most people learn, and for good reason. With your ankles crossed behind their back they cannot pass, and every time they lean forward you have a chance to attack. It is the home of the armbar, the triangle, the kimura and the hip bump sweep.

The key is posture. If they sit up straight, your attacks run out of reach, so pull them down with your knees and grips first. Keep your hips moving and chain your attacks: the defence to one move usually opens the next.