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About This Technique
Technique: Worm Guard
The Worm Guard is a modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique credited to Keenan Cornelius. It leverages the lapel of your opponent's gi to create a unique and highly effective controlling position versatile in competition.
Japanese Name:
- N/A (This technique doesn't have a traditional Japanese name as it is a modern BJJ innovation.)
Position:
- Open Guard
Steps to Perform the Worm Guard:
!!!Warning: Always ensure a safe training space and consult your instructor when practicing new techniques to prevent injury.!!!
-
Setting Up the Guard
- Begin with your opponent in your open guard.
- Unravel your opponent's lapel from their belt on either side; typically, the side facing your guard entry.
- Feed the lapel around your lead leg (the leg controlling inside their hip) and grip it with your same-side hand (right hand to right lapel).
-
Positioning Your Legs
- Hook your free leg (non-lapel side) underneath your opponent's far side leg, ensuring your shin is placed behind their knee.
- Keep your guard tight by controlling their back leg with your instep.
-
Establishing Control
- Pull the lapel tightly, consistently keeping it taut in your hand while manipulating their posture.
- Your lead hand should maintain control over their collar or sleeve, further preventing them from advancing or retreating.
-
Rolling Underneath and Securing
- Use the lapel grip as leverage, coil under your opponent akin to performing an inverted guard.
- Once underneath, your body should cause your opponent to be off balance, maintaining pressure with your knee behind their other knee.
-
Attacking or Transitioning
- From here, options include transitioning to sweeps, such as the back roll sweep, that cause your opponent to fall backward.
- Alternatively, you can unspool further techniques, such as setting up berimbolo sequences to take the back.
Tips for Efficiency:
- Maintain constant tension in the lapel to keep your opponent off balance.
- Keep mindful control over your leg hooks to prevent your opponent from disengaging.
- Practice transitioning smoothly between different moves layered in the Worm Guard to maximize the element of surprise.
Conclusion:
The Worm Guard is a sophisticated tool in Jiu-Jitsu. Its reliance on lapel grip control makes it a game-changer. Although initially challenging to master, when executed correctly, it provides a significant tactical advantage allowing a seamless transition to other guard attacks and sweeps.
How to Execute
# Worm Guard from Open Guard
## Setup
- **Initial Position Details**: Begin in the open guard position. You are on your back with your legs facing your opponent. Your opponent is standing or kneeling in front of you, looking to pass your guard.
- **Grips and Controls Needed**: The essential grip for the Worm Guard is on your opponent's lapel. You will also need to control their ankle with your foot.
## Steps
1. **Establish the Lapel Grip**
With your right hand, reach and grab your opponent's right lapel (or left if your opponents' left side is forward). Pull the lapel out and away from their body, creating slack.
2. **Feed the Lapel Under Your Leg**
Use your free left hand to pass the lapel under your right leg. Ensure you maintain a firm grip on the lapel with your right hand.
3. **Secure the Lapel with Your Left Hand**
After passing the lapel under your right leg, transfer the grip to your left hand. You should now have the lapel running under your right thigh and controlled with your left hand.
4. **Position Your Legs**
Place your right foot on your opponent's right hip, using it to maintain distance and control. Your left leg should be used to hook their left leg or maintain balance.
5. **Control Your Opponent’s Ankle**
Use your right hand to control your opponent's right ankle. This control keeps them from moving away and sets up sweeping opportunities.
6. **Adjust Your Body Position**
Scoot your hips out to the left slightly to create more tension in the lapel and to be in a better position to destabilize your opponent.
7. **Execute Sweeps or Transitions**
Now, you have multiple options such as off-balancing your opponent for a sweep or transitioning to another guard or submission. Common sweeps include the back take or sweeping them forward by kicking with your right foot while pulling the lapel.
## Key Points
- **Important Details to Remember**:
- Keep the lapel tight to ensure control over your opponent’s posture and balance.
- Maintain a strong hook with your right foot on the hip to control the distance.
- **Common Mistakes to Avoid**:
- Failing to create enough tension in the lapel, which reduces your control.
- Allowing your opponent to free their lapel or step around your guard due to loose grips or poor positioning.
- Neglecting the control of your opponent's ankle, which enables them to easily escape or counter.
Always practice the Worm Guard under supervision and with a training partner who is aware of the mechanics involved, as balance and control are key to effectively applying this technique.
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