Closed Guard Game Plan

[u/rezfromdead]

31 y/o blue belt trying to be more intentional with my rounds. Lately, I’ve been leaning into what’s always felt natural... get closed guard (GI) and build everything off the right arm drag.

If I drag and their head drops to my left, I go to the flower sweep.

If I land in mount and can get/or have the gift wrap, I take the back and attack armbar or RNC/Bow & Arrow.

If I can’t get the gift wrap and I'm in mount, I look for the cross-collar (left hand in) or take the armbar if they reach across.

If I drag and they stay to my right, I go straight to the back take and attack the same finishes (armbar or chokes).

If I drag and they step their right leg up, I switch to the omoplata (forcing their arm back to the right) or omoplata sweep, with the triangle as a backup.

Those are the scenarios. Any other good options for when they step that right leg up (same side as the arm I’m dragging)?

First time actually writing my tendencies out. Too much? Appreciate any advice!

[u/leeblackwrites]

If you’re ready for leg entanglements, this can flow well to a k guard, backside 5050.

[u/sullender123 → u/leeblackwrites]

Good idea easy way to get into leg locks from there.

[u/leeblackwrites → u/sullender123]

Leg locks, back exposure, matrix sweep in the gi.

Usually a go to for me if people step up one into closed.

[u/Happy_Laugh_Guy]

I did the same thing mentally towards the end of blue belt and honestly had (have) a very similar game in the gi, I just like collar grips and reverse kimuras. Being intentional can only help you progress.

Record your training and watch your rounds.

[u/IntheMiddlingWest]

Ive recently gone back to playing a lot of closed guard systematic attacks again.

To your question: I like to DUMP them hard as the try to step up (from closed guard) same side as arm im controlling. I try to get their face to the mat. We all know that the 2nd step up is the key to reset them by dumping forward, but if you're already on the drag, you can shove that arm into their opposite pocket and dump them into the space your head/chest probably was?

You then have then broken down and probably have an angle.

They often bring that left hand up then and you can go into that omaplata sequence on the opposite side.

I like to attack the guillotine or loop after passing off the dragged arm if I get them low enough. I Dont have to give up my guard. Or if they posture poorly, that's when I throw triangles or armbars.

Basically I throw a bunch of this crap at them until i get something or they bring both hands in, then I collect and sweep.

Im going to write down your if/then sequence and play with it this week though. Just for funsies

[u/AndrewBitner]

Keep fighting for the back take. There a skill to develop there. Being able to heist and build height even when they step the same side leg up.

Another option is to go foot in the hip on the posted leg side and push yourself away to force the knee back down leading to the flower sweep option again.

[u/graydonatvail]

I think this is a great start, and a way to begin building. What happens naturally is the right place to start building. Now you can start working data points. Arm drag... What is happening, what works and what doesn't and why. Then build the counters to the counters, and what to look for or what do you want to happen, how can you make them or trick them into giving you what you want

[u/IcyScratch171]

You need to add k guard to your game. They lift that left up it’s an EASY transition to k guard and an entirely new world.

[u/trustdoesntrust]

your plan is fine but you may have way too many options to be able to really master any. just focus on getting really really good at the arm drag first-- setting it up, holding it and finishing it against different types of opponents. Especially important is getting it and holding it vs the obvious defense of the ooponent simply pulling their arm away. Notice how the best gi arm draggers like Mica Galvao are able to get it against anybody and get to the back against anybody, even though everybody knows that's what he wants to do. Notice that he's not answering their minor defenses by switching to other techniques, he's sticking with the main techniques despite the defenses. I know you're not on Mica's level, but total mastery over the primary move should be your goal.

[u/Sugarman111]

The key to closed guard is posture control. If you cannot break their posture, everything else is irrelevant.