Learning the Guard: Fundamentals at Gracie Barra Northridge Jiu-Jitsu

 

Detailed guide on learning The Guard—the fundamental fighting position—as taught to beginners at Gracie Barra Northridge (GBN).

 

The Guard is the single most defining characteristic of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). It is the strategic position used when you are on your back. Unlike a street fight where being on your back is a sign of defeat, in BJJ, the Guard is a defensive fortress and an offensive launching pad.

 

At Gracie Barra Northridge, the instruction focuses heavily on developing a strong, fundamental Guard, following the lineage and style championed by Professor Romulo Barral, a master of the open Guard.

 

1. The Philosophy: Fighting Off Your Back

For a beginner, the concept of being on your back is counter-intuitive. GBN instills this mindset:

 

 Self-Defense First: If you are knocked down in a street fight, the Guard is the safest place to be. Your legs are your longest weapons, keeping the attacker’s hands and weight off your face.

 Leverage and Geometry: The Guard uses the geometric advantage of the legs (powerful levers) against the opponent’s torso (a weak base). You control the opponent’s posture, space, and distance.

 The Goal: From the Guard, the goal is never to stay there forever. The goals are: Sweep (flip the opponent over to end up on top), or Submit (choke or lock the opponent).

 

2. The Core Position: The Closed Guard

The Closed Guard is the very first position every beginner masters at GBN. It is the safest and most controlling form of the Guard.

 

1. Mechanics

 The Wrap: Lying on your back, wrap your legs around your opponent’s torso and hook your ankles together behind their back.

 The Posture Kill: The primary goal is to break the opponent’s posture. You pull their head down toward your chest (often using a grip on their collar or behind their neck) to bend their spine.

 Why it Works: If the opponent’s head is directly above their hips, they are strong. If you break their posture and pull their head toward their knees, their base collapses, making sweeps and submissions easy.

 

1. Core Techniques Taught from Closed Guard
2. Hip Bump Sweep: A powerful, explosive motion used when the opponent attempts to sit up or establish their posture. You use your hips and core to flip them over and end up on top in the Mount position.
3. Kimura (Shoulder Lock): An essential submission that targets the shoulder joint. It is often taught as a direct threat, or as a way to force the opponent to react, opening them up for the Hip Bump Sweep.
4. Guillotine Choke: A strong choke that can be set up when the opponent is sitting up in your Guard, often threatening their head as they pass.

 

3. The Secondary Position: The Open Guard

Once a student begins to master the Closed Guard and move into the advanced GB2 program, they learn the Open Guard. This is a far more dynamic and less secure position.

 

1. The Shift in Control

 No Ankles Locked: Your feet are free to be placed on the opponent’s hips, chest, biceps, or thighs.

 Distance Control: The Open Guard is all about keeping the opponent at bay using your feet and knees as frames (pushes) and hooks (pulls).

 

1. Core Techniques Taught from Open Guard
2. The Knee Shield (Half Guard): One leg is hooked around the opponent’s thigh (the half guard), and the other knee is placed against the opponent’s chest or shoulder (the shield). This is a dominant defensive position used to create space and prevent the opponent from flattening you.
3. Spider Guard (Romulo’s Specialty): This is where you place your feet on the opponent’s biceps or shoulders while controlling their sleeves. It completely nullifies the opponent’s ability to grip or pressure, making them stand up and lean back, which is advantageous for sweeps and submissions.
4. De La Riva Guard: Controlling the opponent’s leg by hooking your foot behind their knee or thigh. This is a primary entry point for modern sweeps and back takes.

 

4. Training Protocol for the Guard at GBN

The GBN curriculum ensures students get maximum drilling time on the Guard.

 

 Dedicated Drilling: In GB1 classes, after the technique is shown, students drill the move (e.g., the Armbar) hundreds of times with no resistance, focusing purely on perfect mechanics and safety.

 Positional Sparring: Students spend specific rounds in class dedicated to the Guard:

     Top Player: Focuses only on breaking the Guard and passing to Side Control.

     Bottom Player (The Guard): Focuses only on holding the Guard and preventing the opponent from passing.

 Instructor Emphasis: Professor Barral and his instructors constantly stress gripping and posture within the Guard. They teach you to use your grips to control the opponent’s weight distribution, not just their limbs.

 

5. Overcoming Guard Anxiety

For many beginners, learning the Guard is initially frustrating because you are constantly being pressured. The GBN advice for this is:

 

 Prioritize the Legs: Never let the opponent pin your legs or feet to the mat. Your legs are your shield; keep them mobile and constantly framing.

 Find Your Base: If you feel overwhelmed in the Guard, pull your knees back toward your chest, get your feet on the opponent’s hips, and reset your grips. Resetting to the fundamental position is a victory.

 Relax and Breathe: The most common mistake is holding your breath. An experienced partner will instantly know you are panicking and use the opportunity to pass. Breathe slowly to conserve energy and keep your mind clear.

 

 Summary

Learning the Guard at Gracie Barra Northridge is about learning to be dangerous and safe from your back. It is the cornerstone of the BJJ philosophy, teaching you that size and strength are secondary to leverage and control. Mastering the Closed Guard is the essential first step toward becoming a self-sufficient grappler.

 

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

Learning the Guard: Fundamentals at Gracie Barra Northridge Jiu-Jitsu