Tom DeBlass Shows Some Amazing Closed Guard Options Tom DeBlass is the guy to learn closed guard from. Tom has competed in the middleweight division for Bellator and the UFC with a professional record of 9 and 2. DeBlass is also a 3rd...

When John Danaher gives a guard its own name AND it's named after one of the most iconic American Grapplers: Shawn Williams, you pay attention to the transitions. Shawn Williams was the 5th USA black belt under Renzo Gracie and John Danaher (awarded...

Playing closed guard always seems like a good idea until your opponent manages to stand up.  This is when things can get complicated and it can be difficult to find some closed guard attacks.  Why is this?  Well, the basis of the closed...

The gi can be an advantageous tool that we learn how to utilize.  Many people love training in the gi and then there are some who would prefer no gi.  Sometimes the lapels can become a nuisance, but if we learn how to...

 Breaking the posture may be the single most important detail to getting sweeps and submissions in the closed guard.  The closed guard has long been considered the foundation of the guard and it has been utilized at the highest levels of both MMA...

The closed guard can be one of the most difficult positions to pass.  As beginners, many people are exposed to the closed guard early on in their career.  The closed guard is a position that even mainstream MMA fans are familiar with.  This...

Recently, the topic of opening the closed guard has sparked a debate among high level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners.  Keenan Cornelius, who is infamous for his innovative approach and known for his mastery of lapels stated that opening the closed guard on the...

The closed guard has long been considered the most important guard.  In these days the popularity of the closed guard has dwindles and not as many people are using it.  The closed guard has long been infamous for its efficiency.  You can use...

As Brazilian Jiu Jitsu continues to evolve, dynamic guards continue to grow in popularity.  There are so many positions these days that were not often utilized in the past.  We see complex open guards like the worm guard, lapel guard, 50/50 and many...

Closed guard can be one of the most difficult guards to pass.  Many people have an extremely hard time opening closed guard.  They either cannot open their opponent’s legs, or they are just not able to defend themselves.  Being in someone’s closed guard...

The closed guard has long been considered one of the best positions in bjj, MMA, and self-defense.  What makes the closed guard such a powerful weapon?  Well, it is a position where you can attack the back, sweep your opponent, submit them with...

The closed guard is one of the most popular guards in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA.  There is good reason for this popularity.  The closed guard has long been considered the foundation of the guard.  We recently wrote an article breaking down why...

The closed guard has long been considered the foundation of the guard, there are several reasons that people perceive the closed guard as the foundation.  The closed guard is one of the most versatile positions, you can have success with it in both...

If you’re not familiar with Bernardo Faria you are missing out.  He is one of the greatest bjj competitors of all time.  He has won the adult Black Belt World Championships 5x and has even won the most prestigious title, the Black Belt...