BJJ Mental Models Mini Ep. 77: Types of Guard
Oct 23, 2025
Explore the four types of guards in Jiu-Jitsu: hook, clamp, frame, and hybrid. Each category has its unique purpose and application. Hook-based guards like butterfly and shin-to offer specific advantages, while clamp-based guards focus on control, with closed guard as a prime example. Frame-based guards, such as knee shield, help maintain distance from opponents. Lastly, hybrid guards like De La Riva encourage the blending of techniques for greater effectiveness. Understanding these classifications can enhance your guard game.
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Credit To Rob Bernacki
- Steve credits Rob Bernacki for the nomenclature and points listeners to bjjconcepts.net for deeper study.
- He frames the four-type taxonomy as borrowed from Rob Bernacki of Island Top Team.
Framework Over Memorization
- You can't possibly memorize every named guard because new ones appear constantly.
- Using a framework based on mechanics is a durable way to organize and learn guards.
Four Fundamental Guard Families
- All guards in Jiu-Jitsu map to four fundamental mechanics: hook, clamp, frame, and hybrid.
- Classifying guards by mechanics helps you understand new guards quickly without memorizing names.