BJJ Guard Position Tips
Guard Top Position
- Never one arm in–one arm out. Both arms in or both out.
- Master two techniques for passing the guard, and start using them the second you find yourself in the position. If you wait, you are asking to be swept or submitted.
- DON’T put your hands on the ground – keep your hands on your opponent!
- DON’T put your elbow across his centerline – keep each arm on its own side of your body!
- Grip belt, lapels, or biceps for leverage and control.
- Keep your weight low with knees spread and feet flat on the ground to avoid sweeps.
- Keep your back straight and look up to avoid having your posture broken.
Guard Bottom Position
- For shorter guys, perfect the open guard, half guard, and butterfly guard.
- Play more from side instead of flat on back.
- A good grip is one lapel high centerline behind neck and the other on the sleeve behind bicep/elbow or low on sleeve near wrist.
- Don’t sit in the guard, waiting for your opponent to try to pass it. Look for sweeps or submissions straight away.
- Try to break your opponent’s posture by pulling him forward.
BJJ Side Control Position Tips
Side Control Top Position
- Make yourself heavy by staying on your toes.
- Go for the cross-face to exert pressure and control.
- Keep your hips glued to his hips in side control, or block hips with arm or knee.
Side Control Bottom Position
- Do not allow the cross-face. Control of head means control of body.
- Use your elbows to make room for escapes and to enable you to breathe.
- Use bridging and shrimping to create space.
BJJ Mount Position Tips
Mount Top Position
- Squeeze your knees together but don’t lock yourself to your opponent, and touch your toes together if possible.
- Roll your hips forward like a cowboy riding a bull.
- If you put your hands on the mat for base, keep them wide so your opponent can’t reach them easily.
Mount Bottom Position
- Keep arms bent, elbows in to prevent arm bars and to allow for breathing room.
- Avoid being flat.
- Get in the correct defensive posture before your opponent can settle in. This actually applies to any time you are put in a poor position suddenly.
BJJ White Belt Tips, Courtesy of BJJtoday.net
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