The first Spider Guard sweep you should learn - BJJ Spider Guard - Part 1 of 2
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Standard Spider Guard·MMA Leech·Added by Admin
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Standard Spider Guard
Genusスタンダードスパイダーガード(Sutandādo Supaidā Gādo)
TransliterationTranslation: standard spider guard
Overview
The Standard Spider Guard establishes the full spider guard with both hands gripping the opponent's sleeves, both feet placed on the biceps, and the legs extended to create maximum distance and control. [1] The standard spider guard is the base position from which all spider guard attacks originate — sweeps using leg push-pull mechanics, triangle choke entries by pulling one arm in, and omoplata set-ups. [1],[2] The four-point control (two grips, two feet) provides a comprehensive framework for attacking from the back. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Spider guard was developed in gi BJJ competition in the 1990s and became one of the dominant open guard systems. [1]
Competition Record
Spider guard is one of the most commonly played open guards in IBJJF competition. [1]
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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 seated or supine position — Maintain distance with feet on the opponent's hips or legs, hands controlling grips or collars
From closed guard break — When the opponent opens the closed guard, transition to open guard by establishing foot and grip controls
Variants
Spider guard — gripping both sleeves with feet on the biceps for distance control
De la Riva guard — one hook behind the opponent's lead leg with opposite foot controlling
Lasso guard — lasso grip wrapping the leg around the opponent's arm
Collar-sleeve guard — controlling collar with one hand and sleeve with the other, feet active
Videos
1 video
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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
✓Standard spider guard execution: from open guard, grip both of the opponent's sleeves, place both feet on their biceps, and extend the legs to create distance and control (Romulo Barral, competition analysis)
✓Step 1: grip both sleeves firmly — thumbs inside the cuffs for maximum control
✓Step 2: place the balls of the feet on the opponent's biceps — not the instep, the ball of the foot for pushing power
✓Step 3: extend both legs to push the opponent away while maintaining sleeve tension
✓Step 4: use the legs to direct the opponent: push one arm to create an angle, pull the other to break balance
✓Step 5: threaten sweeps by extending one leg while bending the other, then reversing
✓The standard spider guard is symmetrical: both legs perform the same function from both sides
✓The grip must be vice-like: spider guard fails if either grip is broken
✓Drill: establish standard spider, partner tries to pass for 30 seconds — maintain grips and attempt one sweep
Common Mistakes
!Gripping the sleeves too shallow — grip deep at the wrist or cuff for maximum control
!Placing the feet on the wrong part of the bicep — the ball of the foot should press into the upper bicep
!Extending both legs fully without variation — bend and extend alternately to create angles
!Holding spider guard without threatening sweeps — the opponent will eventually strip a grip; attack before that
!Not maintaining sleeve tension — slack in the sleeves allows the opponent to move freely
!Playing spider guard against an opponent who immediately strips grips — develop grip recovery and transition plans
!Using only push movements — spider guard requires push AND pull coordination
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
How do I transition from closed guard to spider guard?
Start by opening your guard and stepping on your opponent's hip. Use hip escapes to move your legs from the outside of their arms to the inside of their arms, hip skating side to side until both knees are positioned on the inside.
Where should my foot be placed on my opponent's arm in spider guard?
Place your foot on your opponent's bicep, specifically targeting the joint area so your foot stays stuck and traps their arm, rather than placing it further down the arm where it might slip around.
What's the key motion to execute a spider guard sweep?
Once your foot is locked on the bicep, extend your legs, pull your opponent's knee toward you, kick their knee, and drive your foot toward the mat all at the same time to complete the sweep.
How do I position my opponent's arm before the sweep?
Push your opponent's elbow upward away from their ribs until it passes the line of their shoulder, which disrupts their balance and sets up the sweep.
How does the Standard Spider Guard work?
The Standard Spider Guard establishes the full spider guard with both hands gripping the opponent's sleeves, both feet placed on the biceps, and the legs extended to create maximum distance and control. The standard spider guard is the base position from which all spider guard attacks originate — sweeps using leg push-pull mechanics, triangle choke entries by pulling one arm in, and omoplata set-ups.
Where does the Standard Spider Guard come from?
The standard spider guard is the foundational spider guard position, representing the base configuration of the spider guard system that has been a staple of gi competition since the 1990s. It is one of the most commonly taught open guard positions in gi BJJ.
Is the Standard Spider 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 Standard Spider 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 Standard Spider Guard?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Guard Contact → Control Grips → Manage Distance → Threaten Submissions/Sweeps.
How do I defend against the Standard Spider 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 Standard Spider Guard?
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…).
How effective is the Standard Spider Guard in competition?
Spider guard is one of the most commonly played open guards in IBJJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Spider Guard?
Top errors to watch for: Gripping the sleeves too shallow — grip deep at the wrist or cuff for maximum control / Placing the feet on the wrong part of the bicep — the ball of the foot should press into the upper bicep / Extending both legs fully without variation — bend and extend alternately to create angles / Holding spider guard without threatening sweeps — the opponent will eventually strip a grip; attack before that.
What are other names for the Standard Spider Guard?
The Standard Spider Guard is also known as Sutandādo Supaidā Gādo, Full Spider Guard, Double Sleeve Spider, Classic Spider Guard.