Why Fighting from Your Back is the Most Powerful Weapon in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu In almost every movie, street fight, or other martial art, being on your back means you’ve lost. It’s a universal sign of defeat. But in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, this is often where the real fight begins. The ability to fight effectively from your back is not just a defensive tactic; it’s a revolutionary concept that makes this art one of the most effective self-defense systems ever developed.
This in-depth guide is for anyone starting their journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for beginners, aiming to demystify the most important position in the sport: The Guard.
What is "The Guard"?
Imagine being put on your back by a larger, stronger opponent. Instinct tells you you’re in trouble. But what if you had a way to control their movement, nullify their strength, and launch your own attacks? That is the essence of the guard.
Simply put, the BJJ Guard is a position where you, from your back, use your legs and hips as both a Weapon in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shield and a sword.
- As a Shield: Your legs are used to control the distance and prevent your opponent from striking you or securing a dominant, crushing position.
- As a Sword: Your legs and hips are used to off-balance, reverse (sweep), and submit your opponent with chokes and joint locks.
It’s an intelligent and strategic position that allows you to manage a threat from what would otherwise be a position of weakness.
A Beginner's Introduction to Basic Guards
on day one, you will encounter two fundamental types:
- The Closed Guard: This is where you have both of your legs wrapped around your opponent’s torso and your ankles crossed behind their back. The goal of the closed guard is total control. From here, you can break your opponent’s posture, making it difficult for them to generate power, while you set up classic attacks like the armbar, triangle choke, and sweeps. It is one of the safest and strongest positions in all of BJJ.
The Open Guard: This is a broad category for any guard where your ankles are not crossed. The goal of the open guard is dynamic control and distance management. You use your feet on your opponent’s hips, biceps, or shoulders to keep them off-balance and create opportunities. The open guard is the gateway to countless sweeps and submissions and is where a practitioner’s individual style truly begins to shine.
Why Is The Guard So Powerful?
The guard is Weapon in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu the heart of what makes this martial art so effective, especially for a smaller person against a larger one. Here’s why:
It completely changes the equation of strength and gravity. When you are on your back and your opponent is on their knees or standing, they have to fight against the strongest and most mobile parts of your body—your legs and hips. This principle of leverage is the core BJJ technique that allows you to manipulate a much heavier weight than you could ever lift. It’s not magic; it’s physics. It allows you to systematically take an opponent’s power away and create your own opportunities for attack.
From Defense to Offense
The guard transforms a seemingly defensive position into a platform for a powerful offense. It embodies the core philosophy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: to stay safe, control the situation, and intelligently create a path to victory, no matter the odds.
The best way to truly understand this concept isn’t just to read about it, but to feel it. We invite you to come and experience the power of the guard for yourself in a trial class and discover how fighting from your back can become your greatest strength.
Training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Bangkok offers not just physical benefits, but mental and social rewards as well. Avoiding these common beginner mistakes will help you build a solid foundation and enjoy the long-term benefits of BJJ.
At BrazilianJiuJitsuBKK.com, we welcome students of all levels. Our experienced instructors, international community, and central Bangkok location make us the ideal place to begin or continue your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey.
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