Grace Learns Clamp Guard Basics w Sensei Glick
0
Clamp Guard·Shintaro Higashi
The Clamp Guard is super effective in Judo AND BJJ Works in Gi AND No Gi Great crossover dynamic technique to control yo…
Clamp Guard
Genusクランプガード(Kuranpu Gādo)
TransliterationTranslation: clamp guard
Overview
The clamp guard is a closed guard sub-position where the guard player controls the inside space between the opponent's arms with their legs, lying on their hip (not flat) with the inside knee blocking the opponent from smashing down and the outside knee pushing the opponent's shoulder toward their head. [1] Part of John Danaher's New Wave Jiu-Jitsu closed guard system, the clamp creates a 'closed circuit of reinforced wedges' providing maximum control for offensive attacks. [2] Giancarlo Bodoni (2x ADCC champion) released 'Forging the Guard: Mastering Foundations of the Clamp' and Adam Wardzinski released 'Clamp Guard Engineering,' both through BJJ Fanatics.
Clamp GuardClamp PositionDanaher Clamp
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Provides maximum control from closed guard with clear attack chains to omoplata and triangle. Used at the highest levels of no-gi competition by Danaher system practitioners. [1]
Lineage
John Danaher's New Wave Jiu-Jitsu system. Popularized by Giancarlo Bodoni (2x ADCC champion) and Adam Wardzinski.
Competition Record
Giancarlo Bodoni: 2x ADCC champion using Danaher closed guard system including clamp.
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Inside knee blocks the opponent from smashing down; outside knee drives the opponent's shoulder toward their head
Control Principle — Closed circuit of reinforced wedges — arm covers trapped arm while hand reinforces the outside knee
Posture Control — Prevents opponent's head from moving over the guard player's head, breaking posture
Position & Entry
From closed guard — Break opponent's posture, hip out to one side, establish the inside knee block and outside knee drive
From arm drag — After an arm drag, transition to the clamp position by establishing the wedges
From overhook control — Convert the overhook to clamp position by adding the knee reinforcements
Variants
Standard clamp — the basic Danaher system configuration
Clamp to omoplata — primary attack chain
Clamp to triangle choke — the omoplata threat sets up the triangle
Clamp to back take — transition from the controlled position
Videos
How to Create Angles in Closed Guard Like Gordon Ryan
0
Clamp Guard·Gordon Ryan
Hi everyone, my name is Gordon Ryan. This is a look into my life. If you enjoy it, watch it. If you hate it, watch it. I…
The “Clamp Guard”: My 2 Favorite Attacks for No Gi BJJ
0
Clamp Guard·Brian Glick
2 Attacks from the Clamp: the "clamp guard" is one of Mr. Danaher’s many innovations - an incredibly effective open guar…
1 / 2
3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The clamp guard is a leg-based defensive and offensive position designed to manage distance and pressure when a top opponent drives forward aggressively. According to Shintaro Higashi and Brian Glick, the position is established through sequential hip escapes and frames: the bottom player creates space by moving their hips laterally, performs knee-elbow escapes to advance one knee to the opponent's hip, then places a second knee in front of the opponent's shoulder while hooking the top leg over it—either pinching the knees or placing the heel across the top leg. Higashi emphasizes that this configuration solves the core problem of being flattened, allowing the bottom player to move their head away and create distance despite forward pressure. Glick adds that the clamp is particularly valuable when transitioning from seated positions (like butterfly guard) after the opponent advances and flattens the bottom player, detailing precise hip angle and frame mechanics to slip the knee inside. Both instructors agree the position functions defensively by blocking forward advancement with the front knee while the top leg prevents the opponent from pulling away and posturing. Offensively, both describe the clamp as a platform for submissions: Higashi mentions the plata and triangle as follow-up attacks, while Glick focuses on an armbar variation involving elbow-to-elbow positioning and a modified triangle finish, emphasizing how the position's leg control forces opponent responses and creates openings for multiple submissions.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Shintaro Higashi — Grace Learns Clamp Guard Basics w Sensei Glick: Detailed the foundational mechanics of entering the clamp through hip escapes and knee-elbow escapes, the positioning of knees relative to shoulder and hip, and basic offensive applications including plata and triangle setups. Emphasized distance management and pressure alleviation.
- Brian Glick — The "Clamp Guard": My 2 Favorite Attacks for No Gi BJJ: Provided detailed entry mechanics when transitioning from seated positions as the opponent drives forward and flattens. Described two specific attacks: an armbar variation with elbow-to-elbow positioning and wrist control, and a triangle finish, emphasizing how leg control prevents posturing and generates submission opportunities.
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Positional control with no inherent joint stress or choke
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— IJF — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — ground...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from ...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points por...
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — no penalty for playing guard
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The clamp is a modern BJJ innovation from the John Danaher closed guard system. Danaher teaches it alongside the side scissor and top lock as one of several strong closed guard positions. Giancarlo Bodoni (2x ADCC champion, Danaher student) released 'Forging the Guard: Mastering Foundations of the Clamp' and Adam Wardzinski released 'Clamp Guard Engineering' — both through BJJ Fanatics. The primary attack chain is omoplata threat to triangle choke. The position requires understanding of closed guard frames and wedge mechanics, making it an advanced technique despite the simple concept.
Common Mistakes
!Lying flat instead of on the hip — must be on the side for proper wedge alignment
!Not reinforcing the outside knee with the hand — breaks the closed circuit
!Allowing the opponent's head to rise over your head — lose posture control
!Not threatening attacks — the clamp is a control position that must lead to submissions
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish closed guard → Break opponent's posture → Hip out to one side → Inside knee blocks smash → Outside knee drives shoulder toward head → Arm covers trapped arm → Hand reinforces outside knee → Threaten omoplata or triangle
Sources & References
Primary Source
New Wave Jiu Jitsu: Closed Guard (Danaher, 2022)
1BookNew Wave Jiu Jitsu: Closed Guard (Danaher, BJJ Fanatics, 2022)
[1] Danaher — New Wave Closed Guard system
2BookForging the Guard: Mastering Foundations of the Clamp (Bodoni, BJJ Fanatics)
[2] Bodoni and Wardzinski — dedicated clamp instructionals
3BookClamp Guard Engineering (Wardzinski, BJJ Fanatics)
4OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
5CitationNew Wave Jiu Jitsu: Closed Guard (Danaher, BJJ Fanatics, 2022)
[1] Danaher — New Wave Closed Guard system
6CitationForging the Guard: Mastering Foundations of the Clamp (Bodoni, BJJ Fanatics)
[2] Bodoni and Wardzinski — dedicated clamp instructionals
7CitationClamp Guard Engineering (Wardzinski, BJJ Fanatics)
Community
Athletics
Requires
understanding of closed guard frames and wedge mechanics, hip mobility
Key muscles
hip adductors, core, shoulders
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get into clamp guard position from the bottom?
Start by performing knee-elbow escapes, bringing your knee first to your opponent's hip while moving your head back and away from them to reduce pressure on your upper body. After a second knee-elbow escape, position your knee to begin the clamp position.
What's the key body positioning for clamp guard?
Turn your hips to the side and create a frame on your partner's shoulder, slipping your knee inside in front of the shoulder. Keep your back off the mat and your body turned to the side rather than flat, and go elbow-to-elbow with your partner to maintain tension.
What do I do if my partner tries to posture up in clamp guard?
Use your heel to hold onto them and retract your leg, which transitions you into a trap triangle finish where you move your partner's arms out to complete the submission.
How does the Clamp Guard work?
The clamp guard is a closed guard sub-position where the guard player controls the inside space between the opponent's arms with their legs, lying on their hip (not flat) with the inside knee blocking the opponent from smashing down and the outside knee pushing the opponent's shoulder toward their head. Part of John Danaher's New Wave Jiu-Jitsu closed guard system, the clamp creates a 'closed circuit of reinforced wedges' providing maximum control for offensive attacks.
Where does the Clamp Guard come from?
Modern BJJ innovation from John Danaher's New Wave Jiu-Jitsu closed guard system. Popularized by Giancarlo Bodoni and Adam Wardzinski through BJJ Fanatics instructionals.
Is the Clamp Guard legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from guard score 2 points; IJF: restricted — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — groundwork from guard permitted …; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points portion; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — no penalty for playing guard; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Clamp Guard?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — positional control with no inherent joint stress or choke
How do I set up the Clamp Guard?
The standard setup chain: Establish closed guard → Break opponent's posture → Hip out to one side → Inside knee blocks smash → Outside knee drives shoulder toward head → Arm covers trapped arm → Hand reinforces outside knee → Threaten omoplata or triangle.
How do I defend against the Clamp Guard?
Standard counters include: Posture up forcefully — break the wedge alignment / Strip the reinforcing hand — break the closed circuit / Stack the guard player — drive weight forward to collapse the wedges / Stand up in guard — remove the hips from the opponent's control.
What are the variants of the Clamp Guard?
Common variants: Standard clamp (the basic Danaher system configuration); Clamp to omoplata (primary attack chain); Clamp to triangle choke (the omoplata threat sets up the triangle); Clamp to back take (transition from the controlled position).
How effective is the Clamp Guard in competition?
Giancarlo Bodoni: 2x ADCC champion using Danaher closed guard system including clamp.
What are common mistakes when doing the Clamp Guard?
Top errors to watch for: Lying flat instead of on the hip — must be on the side for proper wedge alignment / Not reinforcing the outside knee with the hand — breaks the closed circuit / Allowing the opponent's head to rise over your head — lose posture control / Not threatening attacks — the clamp is a control position that must lead to submissions.
What are other names for the Clamp Guard?
The Clamp Guard is also known as Kuranpu Gādo, Clamp Guard, Clamp Position, Danaher Clamp.