Elevated Basics: The Ultimate No-Gi Closed Guard Guide
0
High Closed Guard·IsakIvanovicjj
🔺 Welcome to IsakIvanovicjj - Your Gateway to BJJ Mastery! 🔺 📚 Today's Lesson: "Elevated Basics: The Ultimate No-Gi …
High Closed Guard
Genusハイクローズドガード(Hai Kurōzudo Gādo)
TransliterationTranslation: high closed guard
Overview
The High Closed Guard positions the guard player's legs high on the opponent's back, with the ankles crossed near the shoulder blades rather than around the waist. [1] The high guard breaks the opponent's posture more effectively than the low guard because the elevated legs pull the opponent's upper body down, making it difficult for them to posture up. [1],[2] The high closed guard is particularly effective for setting up armbar, triangle, and omoplata attacks because the legs are already in position near the opponent's shoulders. [2],[3]
History & Origin
The high closed guard is a refined closed guard configuration used by advanced guard players who seek to maximise submission opportunities from the closed guard. [1] It is particularly associated with armbar and triangle attacks that require the guard player's legs to be high on the opponent's body. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
High guard positioning was developed in BJJ as an attacking closed guard variant. [1]
Competition Record
High closed guard is frequently used to set up armbars and triangles in BJJ competition. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Using the legs and hips to control the opponent from the bottom — maintaining distance management and attack angles
Joints Involved — Hips (primary engine for sweeps and attacks), knees (framing and hooking), ankles (secondary hooks)
Force Vector — Pulling, framing, and hip-escaping — creating angles for attacks while preventing passing
Positional Mechanic — The guard is an active offensive position — leg control compensates for bottom positioning by threatening sweeps and submissions
Position & Entry
From pulling guard — Jump or sit to guard, wrap legs around the opponent's waist, lock ankles behind their back
From being taken down — When taken down into the opponent's guard pass, secure closed guard by wrapping the legs and locking ankles
Variants
High closed guard — legs high on the back for tighter control and more submission options
Low closed guard — ankles locked at the waist, controlling posture with grips
Body-lock closed guard — wrapping with both overhooks for tight breaking mechanics
Videos
How to do the Guillotine in Jiu Jitsu | Everything You Need to Know!
0
High Closed Guard·Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu
Join My Online Academy to Improve Your Jiu Jitsu FAST!!! https://www.skool.com/mattarroyojiujitsu/about Buy my complet…
How to Create Angles in Closed Guard Like Gordon Ryan
0
High Closed 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…
1 / 2
3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The high closed guard represents a refined position within closed guard where the practitioner's legs lock high on the opponent's torso, typically above the shoulders. IsakIvanovicjj provides the most comprehensive instructional framework, emphasizing that closed guard functions as an inverted mount position, offering significant safety while limiting the opponent's high-percentage attacks. The fundamental mechanics involve using leg strength and core engagement rather than relying primarily on hand control, with the knees driving inward to maintain compression. A critical tactical element is competing for middle hand position—the practitioner must secure hand control in the center of the opponent's body to access submissions and prevent the opponent from establishing arm pits control or standing up effectively. From the high closed guard position, IsakIvanovicjj details a systematic approach to offensive options: the armbar (securing an underhook and controlling the head before sliding the leg over), triangles (including reverse triangle variations), and the Kimora/shoulder crunch combination. Positional transitions include the high cross sweep for reaching mount position and shoulder crunch-based back takes involving grapevine leg control and lat grabs. Defense against standing involves shin framing with strong knee pulls, hip-driven knee buckles, or transitioning to knee reap guard with potential for heel hook attacks. Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu's content on guillotine positioning provides relevant submission context accessible from certain closed guard transitions. Gordon Ryan's video transcript does not contain substantive technical content beyond promotional material.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- IsakIvanovicjj — Elevated Basics: The Ultimate No-Gi Closed Guard Guide: Comprehensive systematic instruction covering high closed guard fundamentals, hand/knee positioning, armbar, triangle, Kimora, high cross sweep, shoulder crunch back take, and standing defense techniques
- Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu — How to do the Guillotine in Jiu Jitsu | Everything You Need to Know!: Detailed guillotine mechanics including grip construction, arm-in and arm-out variations, and setup timing—techniques accessible during closed guard transitions
- Gordon Ryan — How to Create Angles in Closed Guard Like Gordon Ryan: No substantive technical content provided in transcript
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
Guard positions are defensive; injury risk comes from transitions, not the position itself
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
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 high closed guard locks the legs high on the opponent's back (around the shoulder blades rather than the waist) to dramatically increase posture-breaking power and set up armbars and triangles (Danaher, Triangles, 2020)
✓Climbing the legs high fundamentally changes the mechanics: the higher lock creates greater downward force on the opponent's posture
✓The high closed guard is the direct precursor to the armbar — from here, the legs are already high enough to swing over the head for the finish
✓Triangle entries from high guard are simplified: one leg is already at shoulder height, reducing the distance needed to lock the triangle
✓Achieving high guard requires: break posture first, then walk the hips up by alternating hip escapes while maintaining the lock
✓The high guard was Roger Gracie's finishing position — he climbed to high guard before executing armbars and cross chokes
✓High guard eliminates most guard-opening techniques — the opponent cannot posture when the legs are locked at the shoulders
✓Drill: from standard closed guard, climb to high guard using alternating hip escapes — 5 reps per side
Common Mistakes
!Attempting to climb to high guard without first breaking posture — the opponent must be broken down before climbing
!Climbing with arm strength instead of hip movement — alternating hip escapes create the climbing motion
!Locking high but not maintaining the position — the opponent will try to push the legs back down; resist actively
!Not attacking immediately from high guard — the high position is temporary; attack before the opponent adjusts
!Climbing too high and losing the lock — the lock must remain tight throughout the climb
!Not using the high guard position to set up the armbar — the armbar is the natural attack from here
!Holding high guard without transitioning — high guard is an attacking position, not a control position
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Achieve Guard Contact — establish leg control around or against the opponent
2Control Grips — secure sleeve, collar, or wrist control for manipulation
3Manage Distance — use legs and grips to control the range and prevent passing
4Threaten Submissions/Sweeps — create offensive threats to keep the opponent reactive
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] IBJJF Rules (2024) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] The Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2003)
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] IBJJF Rules (2024) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] The Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2003)
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility, active legs, grip management
Favours
long legs for distance control and guard retention
Key muscles
hip flexors, adductors, quadriceps, core, grip
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between using my hands versus my legs in closed guard?
Your legs and core are what make closed guard really strong, not your hands pulling in. According to Isak Ivanovicjj, you want to be using your knees to pull someone in since your legs are much stronger than your hands.
Why is controlling the middle position so important in closed guard?
Closed guard is often a battle for inside position—when your hands are in the middle, you can grab the head, get overhooks, and attack with shoulder crunches, whereas if your opponent's hands are in the middle, they can try to get in your armpits and stand up. Isak Ivanovicjj emphasizes winning this hand position battle early.
How should I position the opponent's elbow to set up submissions from closed guard?
You must pull the opponent's elbow into your belly button rather than leaving it outside your hip, as this limits your ability to climb your legs high for armbars and triangles. Isak Ivanovicjj stresses keeping the elbow inside so you have more offensive options.
What's the safest way to stop someone from standing up out of my closed guard?
Isak Ivanovicjj describes a rare and highly effective technique taught to him by Dana that involves keeping your guard closed as the opponent attempts to stand, though he notes this is something he had never seen before learning it.
How does the High Closed Guard work?
The High Closed Guard positions the guard player's legs high on the opponent's back, with the ankles crossed near the shoulder blades rather than around the waist. The high guard breaks the opponent's posture more effectively than the low guard because the elevated legs pull the opponent's upper body down, making it difficult for them to posture up.
Where does the High Closed Guard come from?
The high closed guard is a refined closed guard configuration used by advanced guard players who seek to maximise submission opportunities from the closed guard. It is particularly associated with armbar and triangle attacks that require the guard player's legs to be high on the opponent's body.
Is the High Closed 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 High Closed Guard?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — guard positions are defensive; injury risk comes from transitions, not the position itself
How do I set up the High Closed Guard?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Guard Contact → Control Grips → Manage Distance → Threaten Submissions/Sweeps.
How do I defend against the High Closed Guard?
Standard counters include: Guard Pass — systematically work to clear the legs and establish a dominant position / Leg Pin — control one or both legs to neutralize guard retention / Pressure Passing — use heavy chest pressure to flatten and immobilize the guard player.
What are the variants of the High Closed Guard?
Common variants: High closed guard (legs high on the back for tighter control and more submis…); Low closed guard (ankles locked at the waist, controlling posture with grips); Body-lock closed guard (wrapping with both overhooks for tight breaking mechanics).
How effective is the High Closed Guard in competition?
High closed guard is frequently used to set up armbars and triangles in BJJ competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the High Closed Guard?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting to climb to high guard without first breaking posture — the opponent must be broken down before climbing / Climbing with arm strength instead of hip movement — alternating hip escapes create the climbing motion / Locking high but not maintaining the position — the opponent will try to push the legs back down; resist actively / Not attacking immediately from high guard — the high position is temporary; attack before the opponent adjusts.
What are other names for the High Closed Guard?
The High Closed Guard is also known as Hai Kurōzudo Gādo, High Guard, Climbing Guard, High Full Guard.