Rubber Guard
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About This Technique
Rubber Guard Overview
The Rubber Guard is a unique and highly flexible guard position frequently used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Developed and popularized by Eddie Bravo, this guard is designed to break posture and control an opponent's movement to set up submissions. The Rubber Guard makes use of balance, flexibility, and control and is primarily used from the Closed Guard position.
Position
- Position: Closed Guard
- Top or Bottom: Bottom
Japanese Name
- Japanese Name: N/A (There isn't a widely recognized Japanese name for the Rubber Guard)
Steps to Perform Rubber Guard
Prerequisites:
- To efficiently execute the Rubber Guard, the practitioner needs good hip flexibility and a secure closed guard.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Establish Closed Guard
- Begin with your opponent in your Closed Guard. Use your legs to control their hips and maintain connection.
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Break Opponent's Posture
- Secure a strong cross grip on your opponent's right collar or shoulder using your left hand.
- Use your right hand to control your opponent's head or an overhook on their arm.
- Pull them forward so their posture is broken down, making it difficult for them to sit upright or strike.
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Create an Angle
- Use your grip to shift your body slightly to your right side.
- Place your left foot on your opponent's left hip to maintain control and help create an angle.
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Enter High Guard
- Slide your right leg up high behind their shoulders/back, trapping their posture even more.
- Shoot your left knee up the middle towards your chest to wrap it around the opponent's left arm's elbow.
- Your opponent's arm should be trapped with limited mobility.
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Establish the "New York" Position
- Use your left arm to reach over your left knee (where their arm is trapped) and grab your ankle or instep with your left hand.
- Now, you hold your own left shin while keeping your right foot up behind their back.
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Transition to the "Mission Control"
- Bring your right leg over the opponent's left shoulder and anchor it by crossing your ankles and applying downward pressure.
- You should have control of your opponent's posture, effectively utilizing the trapped arm and shoulder with your legs.
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Set-up for Submissions or Sweeps
- From the Rubber Guard, you have the option to set up several submissions such as the triangle choke, omoplata, or gogoplata by controlling posture and isolating limbs.
- Maintain control and watch for defensive reactions to capitalize on openings.
Conclusion
The Rubber Guard provides numerous submission options and can place an opponent under significant control and pressure. It requires practice to master the flexibility and positioning needed, but it can be a powerful guard for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners aiming to dominate from the bottom position. Remember to maintain control, stay agile, and always anticipate possible counters from your opponent.
How to Execute
Rubber Guard from Closed Guard
Setup
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Initial Position Details:
- •Start in the Closed Guard position with your back on the mat and your legs wrapped around your opponent's waist.
- •Ensure that your opponent is postured down, with their head and shoulders close to your chest.
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Grips and Controls Needed:
- •Secure a collar tie with one arm to control your opponent’s posture.
- •Use the other hand to grip your opponent's wrist or sleeve, ensuring control over their arm.
Steps
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Break Your Opponent's Posture:
- •Pull down on your opponent's head using the collar tie to break their posture further if needed.
- •Simultaneously, push off the floor with your feet, elevate your hips slightly, and adjust your body to create angles.
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Establishing Mission Control:
- •Release the collar tie and bring your arm under your own leg, grabbing your shin or ankle.
- •Pull your knee towards your chest while maintaining control over your opponent's posture with the other hand on their wrist or sleeve.
- •Aim to have your leg high over their shoulder, and your foot ideally should be close to your opponent’s neck.
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Secure the Rubber Guard:
- •Keeping a tight grip on your ankle, use your other hand to control your opponent’s posture by holding their head down.
- •Your other leg should still be tight on your opponent's back, keeping them close to you.
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Transition to New York:
- •Slide your free hand under your opponent's chin and place it on the same side cheek.
- •Use the same arm to underhook your other leg, which is already in a high position across your opponent's back, and clasp your hands together to reinforce the control.
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Applying Additional Techniques:
- •From here, you have multiple options such as setting up an omoplata, triangle choke, or a kung-fu move.
- •For instance, to go for an omoplata, you can release the grip on your ankle, rotate your hips, and swing your leg over your opponent’s head.
Key Points
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Important Details to Remember:
- •Keep your opponent’s posture broken at all times to maintain control.
- •Stay flexible with your hips and legs to adjust according to your opponent’s resistance.
- •Your grip on your ankle should be firm to prevent your opponent from posturing up.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- •Failing to control your opponent's posture effectively, which can allow them to escape or pass your guard.
- •Overcommitting your arm control can lead to losing the position if your opponent regains posture.
- •Not keeping your legs active and tight against your opponent can result in losing the Rubber Guard setup.