What comes next from open guard
Open guard: the bottom player uses feet and hands to control the distance, but the legs are not locked. Neither player is ahead. The top player wants to pass (get past the legs), and the bottom player wants to sweep.
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Learn the position itself: Open Guard in the library ›
If you are the passer
Good Works well with the right setup.
- Toreando pass
Hold both of their knees, push their legs to one side and step around the other side. You land in side control for 3 points.
Leads to side control › - Knee slice
Pin one of their legs and slide your knee across their thigh. This starts the knee cut pass, also called knee slice.
Leads to knee slice in progress › - Double unders stack pass
Put both arms under their legs and lift their hips onto their shoulders. Then walk around their legs to side control.
Leads to side control › - Leg drag
Pull one of their legs across your hip so both legs point away from you. Their guard is gone, and you move to side control.
Leads to side control › - Stand and grip fight
Stay standing and break their grips before you try to pass. This is safe and uses little energy.
You stay in this position.
Risky Can work, but often goes wrong.
- Straight ankle lock
You sit back and attack their foot, which adults of every belt may do under IBJJF rules. If it fails, you lose your grips and must start the pass again.
Ends the match if it works: a submission.
Mistake Avoid this: it usually makes things worse.
- Dive in head first
Diving in with your head low and no grips leaves your neck open. They can catch a guillotine choke or sweep you.
Usually goes wrong. Choose a better option above.
If you are the guard player
Best The choice that works most often here.
- Feet on the hips, retain
Keep a foot on their hip and a hand on their sleeve. Staying connected like this is the best way to stop the pass.
You stay in this position.
Good Works well with the right setup.
- Sit up to butterfly
Sit up and put your feet inside their thighs (butterfly hooks). If you lie flat, you are easy to pass.
Leads to butterfly guard › - Pull them into closed guard
If you can wrap your legs around them and lock your ankles, do it. Closed guard is safer and lets you start again.
Leads to closed guard › - Tripod sweep
Hold one ankle with your hand and hook behind it with your foot. Push their other hip with your other foot, so they fall, and you come up on top.
You stay in this position. - Keep your feet between you and them
Keep your legs between your body and theirs, like a fence. While your feet are there, they cannot pass.
You stay in this position.
Risky Can work, but often goes wrong.
- Guillotine as they dive
This front choke only works when their head drops low in front of you. If you hold the head while they pass, you end up under side control.
Ends the match if it works: a submission.
Mistake Avoid this: it usually makes things worse.
- Lie flat and wait
Lying flat gives them time to pass your legs. Stay active and keep your feet working.
Usually goes wrong. Choose a better option above.
Train it on the Path
The Movements you need unit turns this into short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.
The Path goes in order: start free from lesson one and you reach Movements you need on the way. With Rolla Plus you can jump straight here.