Shrimp Reguard from Side Control - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Kids
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Reguard·Utopia Martial Arts
A challenging movement to learn for both adults and kids, but critical to regaining control from your opponent getting a…
Reguard
Familyリガード(Rigādo)
TransliterationTranslation: reguard
Overview
The Reguard family covers defensive techniques specifically focused on recovering a full or half guard position after it has been compromised or partially passed by the opponent. [1] Reguarding is the final stage of guard retention — when frames and hip movement have created enough space, the defender must reinsert the legs between themselves and the opponent to establish a recognised guard position. [1],[2] This family includes full guard recovery (re-closing the legs around the opponent's torso) and half guard recovery (catching the opponent's leg with the legs to establish half guard). [2],[3]
History & Origin
Reguarding techniques developed alongside the guard retention system in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where the ability to recover guard from nearly passed positions became a critical competitive skill. [1] Modern BJJ competition has driven the development of increasingly sophisticated reguarding methods. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Reguarding recovers a guard position after it has been partially or fully passed. [1]
Lineage
Reguarding is a fundamental BJJ defensive skill. [1]
Competition Record
Essential in BJJ competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Preventing or reducing the effect of an incoming attack through physical interception, evasion, or structural positioning
Joints Involved — Varies by defence type — blocks use arms/shins, evasions use head/body movement, sprawls use hips
Force Vector — Opposing or tangential to the attack — either absorbing, redirecting, or evading the incoming force
Defensive Principle — Economy of motion — the best defence uses minimal movement to neutralise the maximum threat
Position & Entry
From bottom position — Post the forearms or hands against the opponent's body to create distance and prevent them from advancing
As guard retention — Use frames against the opponent's shoulders, hips, or neck to prevent the guard pass
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Guard retention uses frames and hip movement; minimal direct injury risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal defensive action
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Legal
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDF— WT — Legal
WT Competition Rules 2024PDFTraining Notes
✓Reguarding is the general skill of re-establishing any guard position after the opponent has begun passing — it encompasses all guard recovery techniques
✓Reguarding requires: recognising the pass early, establishing frames, moving the hips, and re-inserting the legs
✓The earlier you reguard, the easier it is — fighting the pass at 20% completion is far easier than at 80%
✓In BJJ, reguarding is as important as passing — the bottom player who can always reguard can never be pinned
✓Prioritise reguarding over submission attempts from compromised positions — secure the guard first, then attack
✓Use a combination of shrimps, inversions, and leg pummelling to reguard depending on the pass type
✓Drill reguarding against progressive resistance: start with light passing, increase to full-speed passing
Common Mistakes
!Waiting until the guard is fully passed to attempt reguarding — start the reguard at the first sign of the pass
!Reguarding without frames — frames create the space needed for leg re-insertion
!Using only one method of reguarding (e.g., only shrimping) — develop multiple methods for different pass types
!Flat-backing during reguard attempts — turn to your side and use hip movement
!Reaching for the opponent's legs instead of re-inserting your own — focus on your hip positioning
!Not drilling reguarding as a specific skill — many grapplers train passing and submissions but neglect guard recovery
!Giving up if the first reguard attempt fails — chain multiple attempts; the guard isn't passed until you stop trying
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Anticipate the Attack — read the opponent's intention through body cues
2Execute Defence — apply the specific defensive technique with proper timing
3Recover Stance — return to a balanced fighting position immediately
4Counter or Disengage — capitalize on the opening or create safe distance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Boxing (Edwin Haislet, 1940)
1BookBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
2BookKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
5CitationKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Community
Athletics
Requires
structural arm strength, forearm density, timing
Favours
strong arms and elbows for load-bearing frames
Key muscles
triceps, deltoids, forearms, core
Sub-techniques
Full Guard Recovery
SubFamilyThe Full Guard Recovery subfamily covers techniques for re-establishing closed (full) guard — legs wrapped around the opponent's torso with ankles crossed — after the guard has been opened or partially passed. [1] Full guard recovery typically involves creating enough hip space through shrimping or framing to bring both legs around the opponent's body and close the ankles behind their back. [1,2] Recovering full guard is often the defensive priority because closed guard is the most controlling bottom position, eliminating the opponent's ability to stand, posture, or pass without first opening the guard. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Half Guard Recovery
SubFamilyThe Half Guard Recovery subfamily covers techniques for establishing half guard — trapping one of the opponent's legs between the defender's legs — when full guard recovery is not possible. [1] Half guard recovery is often the more realistic defensive option when the guard is being passed, as catching one leg requires less space and movement than recovering full guard. [1,2] The half guard position, once considered a last-resort defensive position, has evolved into a sophisticated offensive platform in modern BJJ with numerous sweeps and submissions available. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Notes
Re-guarding (recovering guard from a disadvantaged position) is the fundamental recovery skill in BJJ. Combines framing and hip movement to insert the knee/leg between the attacker and defender. The goal of every bottom escape is ultimately to re-guard. (Ribeiro, Jiu-Jitsu University; BJJ fundamentals)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'reguard' mean in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Reguard means regaining guard position after being trapped in side control—essentially getting back to a position where you have your opponent controlled between your legs. According to Utopia Martial Arts, it's a fundamental escape technique taught to beginners and children.
What's the key foot placement when escaping to reguard from side control?
Keep your foot on the ground throughout the escape, as this stops your opponent from pushing back into you and allows your foot to create leverage to move your hips away and create space for your knee to come inside.
How do you position your body to successfully reguard from side control?
Get on your side, protect yourself with your arms facing your opponent's hips, then connect your elbow to your knee underneath while pushing away to establish the reguard position.
How does the Reguard work?
The Reguard family covers defensive techniques specifically focused on recovering a full or half guard position after it has been compromised or partially passed by the opponent. Reguarding is the final stage of guard retention — when frames and hip movement have created enough space, the defender must reinsert the legs between themselves and the opponent to establish a recognised guard position.
Where does the Reguard come from?
Reguarding techniques developed alongside the guard retention system in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where the ability to recover guard from nearly passed positions became a critical competitive skill. Modern BJJ competition has driven the development of increasingly sophisticated reguarding methods.
Is the Reguard legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal defensive action; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal; WKF: legal — Legal; WT: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Reguard?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — guard retention uses frames and hip movement; minimal direct injury risk
How do I set up the Reguard?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Reguard?
Standard counters include: Timing — attack when the defence is recovering or between movements / Feint — use deception to create openings in the defensive structure / Angle Change — attack from an unexpected angle that the defence does not cover.
What are the variants of the Reguard?
Common variants: Standard defence (primary defensive technique from the most common position); Reactive defence (triggered by the opponent's attack, minimal movement for …); Proactive defence (anticipating the attack and positioning to neutralise it …); Counter defence (using the defensive movement to create an immediate count…).
How effective is the Reguard in competition?
Essential in BJJ competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Reguard?
Top errors to watch for: Waiting until the guard is fully passed to attempt reguarding — start the reguard at the first sign of the pass / Reguarding without frames — frames create the space needed for leg re-insertion / Using only one method of reguarding (e.g., only shrimping) — develop multiple methods for different pass types / Flat-backing during reguard attempts — turn to your side and use hip movement.
What are other names for the Reguard?
The Reguard is also known as Rigādo, Guard Recovery, Re-Guard, Guard Re-Establishment.