Advanced Rubber Guard: Muddy Waters
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Muddy Waters·Superhero Jiu Jitsu Academy ·Added by Admin
Deep into the rubber guard, through New York, past the Invisible Collar, we get to Muddy Waters. Come through and learn …
Muddy Waters
Genusマディウォーターズ(Madi Wōtāzu)
TransliterationTranslation: muddy waters
Overview
Muddy Waters is an advanced rubber guard high-guard position designed for striking (elbows) and armbar setups. [1] Eddie Bravo describes it as 'the absolute best way to set up an armbar from the guard' and 'the best guard position to unload elbows.' Specifically designed for MMA Combat Jiu-Jitsu where strikes from guard are permitted. [2]
Muddy Waters10th Planet Muddy Waters
History & Origin
Developed by Eddie Bravo for MMA application within the 10th Planet rubber guard system. [1]
Effectiveness
Effective in MMA and Combat Jiu-Jitsu for combining strikes with submissions from guard. [1]
Lineage
Eddie Bravo's 10th Planet system.
Competition Record
Used in EBI, Combat Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA.
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — High guard position controlling opponent's posture while exposing their head to elbow strikes and creating armbar entries
Offensive Access — Elbows to the head (MMA), armbar, dead orchard, omoplata
Position & Entry
From rubber guard system — Progress through mission control to reach muddy waters high guard position
Variants
Muddy waters to armbar
Muddy waters to dead orchard
Muddy waters to omoplata
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Striking exposure + armbar threat
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
✓Documented in Eddie Bravo's 'Advanced Rubber Guard' (2013, Victory Belt Publishing). Also appears in Mastering the System episodes 58-59 ('Muddy Waters Revisited'). Specifically designed for MMA and Combat Jiu-Jitsu contexts.
Common Mistakes
!Not controlling posture — opponent can posture up and escape
!Not threatening strikes — the striking threat is what opens up submissions
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Rubber guard → Mission control → Progress to Muddy Waters high guard → Attack: elbows (MMA), armbar, dead orchard, or omoplata
Sources & References
Primary Source
Advanced Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2013)
1BookAdvanced Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2013, Victory Belt Publishing)
[1] Advanced Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2013)
2BookMastering the System episodes 58-59
[2] MTS episodes 58-59 Muddy Waters Revisited
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationAdvanced Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2013, Victory Belt Publishing)
[1] Advanced Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2013)
5CitationMastering the System episodes 58-59
[2] MTS episodes 58-59 Muddy Waters Revisited
Community
Athletics
Requires
rubber guard flexibility, striking ability
Key muscles
hip flexors, shoulders, core
Frequently Asked Questions
Which leg should I use for the rubber guard in Muddy Waters?
Superhero Jiu Jitsu Academy recommends using your left leg for the rubber guard, which allows you to hip escape to your left while getting onto your right hip.
How do I secure the foot position once I've placed it behind my opponent?
Grab your foot and pull it in tight rather than just circling it out, then pinch your knees together while grabbing the ankle to keep your opponent controlled and in a tight position.
Why shouldn't I stay square on my back in Muddy Waters?
Superhero Jiu Jitsu Academy teaches that you need to adjust your position after controlling the foot placement, as staying square on your back is not the optimal finishing position for the technique.
How do I prevent my opponent from escaping once I have my foot on their hip?
Control the crown of their head immediately after establishing your foot on the hip—if you control the head, your opponent won't be able to blast out.
How does the Muddy Waters work?
Muddy Waters is an advanced rubber guard high-guard position designed for striking (elbows) and armbar setups. Eddie Bravo describes it as 'the absolute best way to set up an armbar from the guard' and 'the best guard position to unload elbows.
Where does the Muddy Waters come from?
Developed by Eddie Bravo for MMA application within the 10th Planet rubber guard system.
Is the Muddy Waters 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 Muddy Waters?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — striking exposure + armbar threat
How do I set up the Muddy Waters?
The standard setup chain: Rubber guard → Mission control → Progress to Muddy Waters high guard → Attack: elbows (MMA), armbar, dead orchard, or omoplata.
How do I defend against the Muddy Waters?
Standard counters include: Posture up / Strip the rubber guard / Stand up in guard.
What are the variants of the Muddy Waters?
Common variants: Muddy waters to armbar; Muddy waters to dead orchard; Muddy waters to omoplata.
How effective is the Muddy Waters in competition?
Used in EBI, Combat Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA.
What are common mistakes when doing the Muddy Waters?
Top errors to watch for: Not controlling posture — opponent can posture up and escape / Not threatening strikes — the striking threat is what opens up submissions.
What are other names for the Muddy Waters?
The Muddy Waters is also known as Madi Wōtāzu, Muddy Waters, 10th Planet Muddy Waters.