Master the Guard and Submissions Northridge BJJ | Phone Number: +1 818-357-4074

 

When you set out to “Master the Guard and Submissions” in Northridge, you are effectively enrolling in the Harvard University of Guard Playing.

 

Gracie Barra Northridge (GBN) is globally famous for one specific thing: The Guard. This reputation exists because the academy is led by Professor Romulo Barral, a man widely considered the greatest “Spider Guard” player in the history of the sport.

 

Here is a detailed breakdown of how you master the guard and submissions in the Northridge system.

 

1. The “Northridge Guard” Philosophy

In many schools, the “Guard” (fighting off your back) is taught as a defensive position. In Northridge, it is taught as a weapon of aggression.

 The “Barral” Style: Mastering the guard here means mastering Grip Fighting. You will learn that whoever controls the grips controls the fight.

     Spider Guard: You will drill placing your feet on the opponent’s biceps to stretch them out, neutralizing their strength and weight.

     Lasso Guard: You will learn to weave your leg around the opponent’s arm, creating a heavy anchor that makes it nearly impossible for them to pass.

 Distance Management: Mastery involves using your legs not just to wrap around the opponent (Closed Guard) but to push them away and manage the distance (Open Guard), keeping them exactly where you want them until you are ready to attack.

 

2. The Submission Chains (The “Double Attack”)

You cannot master submissions in isolation. In Northridge, you are taught the concept of the “Double Attack” or “Dilemma.”

 Sweep or Submit: You never just attack a submission; you attack a sweep and a submission simultaneously.

     Example: You attack a Triangle Choke. If the opponent pulls back to defend the choke, you switch instantly to a Hip Bump Sweep to knock them over.

 The Triangle | Omoplata | Armbar Trinity: The core curriculum revolves heavily around these three submissions. You will drill the transitions between them endlessly. If the Armbar fails, the Triangle is waiting. If the Triangle fails, the Omoplata is there.

 

3. Mastering the “Invisible” Details

The difference between a blue belt and a black belt in Northridge is often “invisible” pressure.

 The Cross Choke: Romulo Barral is famous for his cross-collar choke. Mastery involves learning exactly where to place your wrist bone to cut off blood flow with minimal effort. You will learn to apply this choke from the Guard, Mount, and Knee-on-Belly.

 Breaking Posture: You cannot submit someone who has good posture. Classes focus heavily on using your legs to break the opponent’s posture before you even attempt a submission.

 

4. How Mastery is Drilled (The Methods)

You don’t master these complex movements by just rolling. GBN uses specific training methods:

 Guard Retention Drills: Before you can attack, you must not get passed. You will perform drills where your partner throws your legs side-to-side (Torreando), and you must use high-knees, frames, and hip escapes to recover your guard.

 “King of the Guard”: A grueling game where one person stays on their back. A line of opponents tries to pass. If you sweep or submit them, you get a point and stay. If they pass you, you are out. This builds the cardio to play guard when your legs are burning with lactic acid.

 Situational Sparring: You start in a deep submission (e.g., a fully locked Triangle). The attacker tries to finish; the defender tries to escape. This teaches you the calmness required to finish a submission against 100% resistance.

 

5. Who Teaches This?

 Professor Romulo Barral: When he teaches, the class usually focuses on the “Spider/Lasso” system.

 Professor Edwin Najmi: A Romulo black belt famous for his flying triangles and aggressive submission hunting (the “D’Arce” choke).

 Professor Gabriel Arges: Another world champion from the team known for his impassable guard and knee-bar attacks.

 

To “Master the Guard and Submissions” in Northridge is to learn a specific, aggressive, and highly technical style of Jiu-Jitsu. You stop waiting for your opponent to make a mistake and start forcing them into traps using superior grips and leverage. It is a game of patience, tension, and explosive finishes.

 

Next Step:

We have covered the BJJ landscape in Agoura and Northridge extensively, from beginner classes to pro competition training.

 

Gracie Barra Northridge Location & Contact:

 

Address: 19520 Nordhoff St 10th, Northridge, CA 91324

 

Phone: +1 818-357-4074

 

info@gbnorthridge.com

 

Website: gbnorthridge.com

 

Hours

Mon-Thurs: 12 PM to 9 PM

Fridays: 12 PM to 7 PM

Saturdays: 9 AM to 2 PM

Sundays: CLOSED

Master the Guard and Submissions Northridge BJJ | Phone Number: +1 818-357-4074