The Ten Best Steps to Guard Retention for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Guard Players

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, guard retention is an essential skill for any guard player. It's your line of defence that keeps opponents from passing and opens up opportunities for sweeps, submissions, and other techniques. To master guard retention, it’s important to develop a combination of skills that build flexibility, agility, timing, and a solid understanding of positional awareness. Here are the ten best steps to improve your guard retention game:

1. Master Hip Movement

Good guard retention starts with mastering your hip movement. Your hips should be mobile and responsive, allowing you to adjust angles and create space when needed. Focus on hip escapes (shrimping), hip rotations, and bridging to develop the agility to reposition quickly. When opponents try to pass, your hip movement can help you keep distance and reset your guard.

2. Use Frames Effectively

Frames are key to keeping opponents from smashing your guard. Use your arms, elbows, and shins to create space and disrupt your opponent's movement. By keeping a frame on their hips or shoulders, you can prevent them from getting too close and establish control over their movements. Frame consistently and effectively to prevent pressure and maintain guard structure.

3. Develop Strong Grips

Grips give you control, especially with gi grappling. Establish grips on your opponent's sleeves, pants, or collar to manipulate their position and limit their passing options. Strong grips enable you to control the range, angle, and positioning, helping you defend against guard passes and initiate sweeps.

4. Work on Leg Dexterity

Flexible, quick legs are essential for guard players. Drills like "leg pummelling" can increase your leg dexterity, making it easier to regain guard when an opponent tries to pass. Practice drills that emphasize using your legs to block, frame, and hook. The more control and flexibility you have with your legs, the better you can manage your opponent’s attempts to pass.

5. Build Your Core Strength and Flexibility

Core strength and flexibility are crucial for guard retention. They allow you to move fluidly and quickly between positions while controlling your opponent’s movement. Core exercises like planks, leg raises, and yoga for flexibility can greatly enhance your ability to hold and recover guard positions. A strong, flexible core allows you to maintain guard under pressure and stay engaged in scrambles.

6. Understand and Control Distance

Managing distance is fundamental to guard retention. If an opponent is too close, they can pass; if they're too far, you can't control them. Work on drills to manage both the open and close-range distances, and practice adjusting your guard (such as switching from closed to open guard) to control distance effectively. Know when to bring your opponent closer for attacks and when to push them away to reset.

7. Practice Guard Recovery Drills

Guard recovery is all about quick thinking and reaction. Drills such as the "hip escape to guard," "technical stand-up," and "granby roll" help you regain guard when it’s under threat. Set up scenarios in training where a partner attempts to pass, and practice recovering your guard consistently. The faster and smoother your recovery, the better your overall guard retention.

8. Learn to Anticipate Passes

An experienced guard player knows how to read an opponent’s movements and anticipate passes. Watch your opponent’s hips, legs, and grips—these often indicate their next move. Anticipating a pass allows you to counter or adjust before they break your guard. Try to stay a step ahead and be proactive rather than reactive when defending against passes.

9. Combine Guard Types

Different guard types offer unique advantages. A great guard player can seamlessly switch between them based on the opponent's position and movements. Incorporate closed guard, open guard, De La Riva, spider guard, and other variations into your training. Knowing when to switch between these guards will make it difficult for opponents to establish control and pass.

10. Work on Positional Awareness

The final piece of guard retention is positional awareness. Know where you are in relation to your opponent and the mat at all times. Awareness allows you to adjust your guard to control angles and anticipate threats. Practice specific situations where you’re close to having your guard passed, so you can learn to recognize and respond to these moments quickly.

Putting It All Together

Guard retention takes time and patience to develop, but these ten steps will lay a strong foundation. Start incorporating these elements into your training, focusing on one or two at a time, and gradually build up your skill set. Guard retention is a constant game of adjustment, awareness, and strategy. Embrace the process, and in time, you’ll find your guard becoming a fortress that’s not easily broken.