Introduction to Closed Guard Fundamentals

Roger Gracie emphasizes that maintaining a closed guard requires constant vigilance, particularly when the opponent attempts to stand. The primary defensive challenge occurs when the opponent rises to their feet, as this position creates the greatest threat to guard retention.

Defending Against Standing Posture Breaks

When an opponent is kneeling, the guard player possesses a significant mechanical advantage due to superior leg strength versus arm strength. The guard player can always reach and control the opponent's arms regardless of angle, making kneeling position substantially easier to defend than a standing posture.

Grip Placement Strategy on the Chest

The guard player's hands must establish control at the center of the opponent's chest to maximize pulling power and prevent posture establishment. Grips placed too high expose the arms to leg attacks, while grips placed too low weaken the pulling mechanics and make it easier for the opponent to maintain posture.

Breaking Opponent Grip and Maintaining Control

By maintaining firm hand control on the opponent's chest and pulling simultaneously, the guard player forces the opponent to reposition their arms to weaker locations. Any repositioning away from the center chest placement creates vulnerabilities that the guard player can exploit to break posture or prevent standing.

Countering the Stand-Up Attempt

The guard player must recognize that only grips placed at chest center can resist a standing opponent's upward movement. If the opponent's hands drift to the stomach or any other position, pulling will effectively break their posture and prevent successful stand-up escape.

Timing the Guard Break Sweep

The optimal moment to execute a sweep occurs precisely when the opponent lifts their second leg off the ground, creating a brief window of maximum vulnerability. Until both feet leave the mat, the opponent maintains sufficient base to resist pulling, making premature sweeping attempts ineffective.

Positional Advantage and Attack Selection

From a secure closed guard, the guard player operates from a position of attack while the opponent assumes a defensive posture, creating an inherent strategic advantage. The guard player's sole concern is preventing guard opening, while the opponent must defend against multiple simultaneous threats including sweeps, triangles, and arm attacks.

Establishing Arm Control for Submissions

Once the guard player positions themselves over the opponent's arm, they establish a controlling advantage that prevents the opponent from escaping or countering. From this over-the-arm position, the guard player can systematically target the opponent's shoulder and arm, progressing toward submission techniques.

ROGER GRACIE Explains the Best Closed Guard in BJJ

Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics

Goes Guard

2 min read·8 key moments·PT11M58S video

Key Takeaways

•Introduction to Closed Guard Fundamentals
•Defending Against Standing Posture Breaks
•Grip Placement Strategy on the Chest
•Breaking Opponent Grip and Maintaining Control

Roger Gracie's Incredible Closed Guard - In this Jiu-Jitsu training video, Roger Gracie demonstrates his closed guard. - Click Here To Check Out Roger Gracie's Instructional Videos - https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/all/products/the-roger-gracie-closed-guard-system-by-roger-gracie?variant=39546995277922 For all your BJJ Gear and Apparel Needs Visit - https://store.bjjfanatics.com/ Are you a BJJ Fanatics Insider? If not, you are missing out! Join now at: https://bjjfanatics.com/products/insiders-club - Bernardo Faria is a 5x World Champion. Bernardo started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Juiz de Fora - MG, Brazil at the age of 14 in 2001. After receiving the Black Belt from his first instructor Ricardo Marques in 2008, He moved to Sao Paulo to join BJJ legend Fabio Gurgel and his Alliance team. After many years of training and winning many major titles, Bernardo moved to NYC in 2013 to train and teach at Marcelo Garcia Academy. In 2015 Bernardo achieved his dream of winning the IBJJF World Championship Open class title and his division, doing the double Gold and becoming the 1st in the IBJJF Ranking and also chosen as the best athlete of 2015. Bernardo Faria has now taken on the mission to share some of the lessons, techniques, experiences and more that he has learned along in his 16 years and counting as a BJJ student, teacher and world class competitor. Subscribe to his channel, and join him in this amazing BJJ Journey. We promise that you will also improve your BJJ with his awesome Video Lessons, Episodes of his "5 Minutes BJJ Talk" and more... www.fujisports.com - 15% OFF Coupon Code: FARIA15 www.bjjfanatics.com - 10% OFF Coupon Code: YOUTUBEFARIA www.fujimats.com - 10% OFF Coupon Code: FARIAMAT10 http://bernardofaria.com https://www.facebook.com/bernardofariabjj/ https://www.instagram.com/bernardofariabjj/ https://twitter.com/bernardofariajj

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does this video teach about goes guard?

This video covers introduction to closed guard fundamentals, defending against standing posture breaks, grip placement strategy on the chest. It provides detailed instruction from Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics.

How long does it take to learn goes guard?

The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 8-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.