3 Free Technique Videos From Closed Guard

Closed guard is one of the most popular positions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and in MMA.  Closed guard is one of the first guards that many people who try bjj are exposed to, and it is one of the positions that the casual MMA fan is typically familiar with.  Therefore, it is essential to have a good and aggressive closed guard.

From the closed guard, you can do many things, including sweep and submit.  In order to generate an effective closed guard, you have to have chain attacks where one move leads to another.  Closed guard is imperative to learn because when going against a beginner, it is very easy to manipulate them in closed guard and it is an excellent guard for self-defense.

Closed guard is also an excellent guard to play against larger and stronger opponents. This is because the position is very safe.  Theoretically, it is almost impossible to get submitted by somebody who is in your closed guard. The closed guard was one of the best places to put your opponent in the UFC years ago, today, it is severely underutilized in both MMA and Jiu Jitsu.  What makes the closed guard such a powerful weapon?  There are plenty of submissions from there, plenty of sweeps, and it is an extremely good position to be defensive from.  The combination of these things makes the closed guard, one of, if not, the best guard in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

We have seen top of the line UFC fighters, and Jiu Jitsu fighter utilize this position in high level competitions, some of these infamous fighters include Roger Gracie, Nate and Nick Diaz, Xande Ribeiro, Kron Gracie, and so many more.  With so many people proving that it is one of the best guards, why do we see a decline in this position?  It may be attributed to the movement of fancier moves such as the Berimbolo, it may be because of leg lock popularity, or simply because we have a new generation of grapplers and fighter, but none the less, the closed guard is amazing. Lets take a look at three great submission options from the closed guard.

3) Omoplata from Closed Guard by Bernardo Faria

Bernardo Faria is a 5x Black Belt World Champion, he has won everything that there is to win and has solidified himself as one of the best competitors in the world.  This technique is from his new DVD set all about the omoplata check it out below and then we will discuss it.

So as you see in the video above this is a relatively basic omoplata set up from closed guard.  The omoplata is one of the most neglected submissions in Brazilian jiu Jitsu.  Not only is the omoplata neglected, many people fail to understand the mechanics of it.  The way Bernardo sets this attack up you can easily utilize the element of surprise with your opponent and it may be difficult for them to defend the position.  The omoplata is never used and this is something that you can use to your advantage. 

If you want to learn more omoplata set ups from the closed guard and many other positions check out Bernardo’s DVD set all about the omoplata.  This is probably the best resource in the world to learn an easy to use omoplata. Bernardo is one of the best instructors and he is infamous for only teaching techniques that everyone can use no matter your age, weight, height, and skill level.

2) Arm Bar Series from Closed Guard by Chris Haueter

Chris Haueter was one of the first American Black Belts ever.  He was promoted in 1996 and he is one of the original American Jiu Jitsu guys.  Here below Chris shows us an arm bar from closed guard, Chris is infamous for using “old School” bjj.  Chris is one of the best instructors that there is, he uses simple and effective techniques and breaks it down.  Check out his video below and we will discuss it.

As you can see above this is a very simple and effective series of moves.  This is because Chris only uses things that are easy, he does not rely on characteristics that some people may not possess such as strength, flexibility, speed, and athleticism.  He relies on technique. 

If you want to learn more techniques from Chris check out his DVD set “Old School Efficient BJJ.”  This DVD set is everything you need if you want to learn something that is compatible with anybody.  You can learn every technique on this DVD set flawlessly no matter who you are.

1) Arm on the Mat Triangle by Neil Melanson

This is one of our personal favorites.  This is from Neil Melanson.  He is one of the best instructors in the world.  He has literally written a book on the triangle choke.  If you don’t know Neil, he is the head coach of Balckzillians MMA one of the most successful teams in the UFC.  He has coached people like Chael Sonnen and Vitor Belfort on their grappling.  His approach is not traditional bjj, he is a catch wrestler and he is extremely methodical.  As you can tell from his 10 minute instructional below on a simple triangle he has the ability to see things that other people may not, this is why we chose this as our number one free submission technique video from the closed guard.  Check it out below and well discuss it.

Neil is one of the best instructors in the world.  He can take the most basic technique and break it down for hours with details that you have probably never even seen.  People say that Rickson Gracie has “invisible Jiu Jitsu” and we like to think the same thing for Neil.  Neil is one of, if not the best instructors.

This video is from his DVD set “The Ground Marshall Guard.”  This is a great DVD set if you want to take your bjj to the next level.  This will give you a whole new understanding on fundamentals.