ワンスリーブスパイダーガード(Wan Surību Supaidā Gādo)
TransliterationTranslation: one-sleeve spider guard
The One-Sleeve Spider Guard uses the spider guard on one side only — one foot on the bicep with sleeve control — while the other leg is positioned differently (on the hip, in DLR, or on the mat). [1] The single-sided spider guard provides asymmetric control that opens up different sweep and submission angles compared to the full spider guard. [1],[2] It is frequently used as a transitional position between spider guard and other guard configurations. [2],[3]
One-sleeve spider guard controls one bicep with the foot while the other leg plays De La Riva, lasso, or another open guard system, creating hybrid attacks. [1]
One-sleeve spider is a hybrid guard variant developed in modern BJJ competition. [1]
Hybrid spider guard variants are used at all levels of BJJ competition. [1]
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One-sleeve spider guard refers to a variation of spider guard where the bottom player controls one sleeve of the top player while maintaining foot pressure on the biceps—a position distinct from the double-sleeve variant. Pedro Ramalho emphasizes that grip control is paramount in spider guard variations; the defender must prevent the top player from securing pants grips, as allowing this creates a chain of defensive problems (Toreando handles, frame losses, lasso compromises) that ultimately break positional control. Ramalho stresses maintaining elbow-to-rib positioning and following the opponent's movement via shoulders and hips to preserve grip dominance. Brian Glick approaches spider guard from the passer's perspective, detailing two clearing methods: the primary technique involves squaring up, closing elbows inward, stepping back, and snapping the feet to the mat via a circling action; the secondary method uses a knee wedge behind the hamstring combined with an elbow flip to neutralize leg mobility when one foot remains on the biceps. Ricardo Cavalcanti similarly emphasizes knee-wedge placement behind the opponent's hand combined with downward hand pressure to break grip and disable the spider hook, then transitioning to passing positions like the sit-up pass. All three instructors agree that spider guard effectiveness derives from the combination of sleeve grips and foot pressure; neutralizing either component (grips or leg posts) significantly diminishes the position's defensive utility.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
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Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
Guard positions are defensive; injury risk comes from transitions, not the position itself
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] IBJJF Rules (2024) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] The Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
Alias sources — [1] IBJJF Rules (2024) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] The Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
hip flexibility, active legs, grip management
long legs for distance control and guard retention
hip flexors, adductors, quadriceps, core, grip
According to Pedro Ramalho, the biggest mistake is focusing too much on leg positioning and not enough on maintaining grip control. People neglect to prevent the opponent from grabbing their pants, which is the foundation that allows the pass to develop—once the opponent controls your leg, they can progress to a Tori handle and eventually break your grips and lasso.
Pedro Ramalho emphasizes that you must not let your opponent grab your pants in the first place. Keep your legs near your hips and maintain control of both sleeve grips—if you control the grips, your opponent cannot pass the guard no matter what they do. Once your grips are solid, you can breathe, think clearly, and start attacking rather than just defending.
Pedro Ramalho explains that keeping your elbows on your ribs makes it much harder for your opponent to extend your arms and break your grips. If your opponent walks backward and extends your arms, they can more easily loop out and progress their pass.
Pedro Ramalho states that if your opponent moves to one side, you can easily block it, and if they move to the other side, you can follow them or even take them down, as long as you maintain your grip control on both sleeves.
The One-Sleeve Spider Guard uses the spider guard on one side only — one foot on the bicep with sleeve control — while the other leg is positioned differently (on the hip, in DLR, or on the mat). The single-sided spider guard provides asymmetric control that opens up different sweep and submission angles compared to the full spider guard.
The one-sleeve spider guard developed as a practical variation used when the full spider guard grip is not achievable or when the guard player wants to combine spider control with other guard elements. It is widely used in gi 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
Danger rating 2/10. Low — guard positions are defensive; injury risk comes from transitions, not the position itself
The standard setup chain: Achieve Guard Contact → Control Grips → Manage Distance → Threaten Submissions/Sweeps.
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.
Common variants: Spider guard (gripping both sleeves with feet on the biceps for distanc…); De la Riva guard (one hook behind the opponent's lead leg with opposite foo…); Lasso guard (lasso grip wrapping the leg around the opponent's arm); Collar-sleeve guard (controlling collar with one hand and sleeve with the othe…).
Hybrid spider guard variants are used at all levels of BJJ competition.
Top errors to watch for: Losing the one sleeve grip without immediately recovering — the sleeve grip is the anchor of the position / Not utilizing the free leg effectively — the free leg must contribute hooks, frames, or sweeps / Playing one-sleeve spider without a hybrid second leg position — the other leg must actively control / Using one-sleeve spider without transitioning — it should flow into specific attack sequences.
The One-Sleeve Spider Guard is also known as Wan Surību Supaidā Gādo, One-Grip Spider, Single Sleeve Spider, Half Spider Guard.
