Open guard

Brazilian jiu-jitsu / Popular

Use grips and frames to control distance in open guard.

What coaches agree on

  • Identify the exact scenario you're in before committing to a plan - opponent standing square, staggered, or kneeling, you seated or on your back - because the right grips and attacks change with each one.
  • Use your feet on your opponent's hips and shoulders as active controls, not just as passive hooks - treat them like a second pair of hands to break posture and set up attacks.
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  • Use your grips to create a push or a pull and let your opponent's reaction, not a fixed plan, dictate your next move.

Common mistakes

  • Lying back and letting your frames go passive, instead of actively bracing with your arms and legs, is what makes an open guard easy to pass.
Open Guard Sweep
Intermediate

Open Guard Sweep

Coach's take: Good mechanical detail, and showing both sides helps it actually stick.

3.3
Open Guard Sweep
Intermediate

Open Guard Sweep

Coach's take: Simple, copyable sweep — wish he explained the why a bit more, but the steps are clean.

3.3