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BJJ Mental Models

Mini Ep. 49: Phases of Guard

Apr 10, 2025
Delve into the fascinating phases of guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Learn about engagement, maintenance, and retention strategies that elevate your game. This discussion emphasizes understanding concepts over just memorizing techniques. Insightful tips help players effectively manage their guard positions while enhancing overall performance. Get ready to refine your skills with these invaluable insights!
11:50

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The engagement phase is critical for establishing control through grip fighting, setting the stage for subsequent guard dynamics.
  • In the retention phase, quick decision-making is essential to avoid losing guard as the opponent attempts to pass.

Deep dives

Three Phases of Guard

The guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) consists of three key phases: engagement, maintenance, and retention. During the engagement phase, fighters focus on grip fighting to establish control before settling into a known guard position. It is crucial to win this grip fight, as it dictates the following position and strategy, allowing the player to dictate the guard dynamics. This phase emphasizes a conservative and deliberate approach to minimize chaos and avoid giving the opponent advantageous grips.

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