Side Guard

Side Guard is a defensive and transitional guard position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where the bottom player angles their body sideways rather than facing directly upward toward their opponent. It is used to create angles, manage distance, and transition to offensive positions or Sweeps. The position provides opportunities for counterattacks while limiting the opponent's ability to stabilize and pass effectively.

Key Features of Side Guard

Body Position

  • The bottom player is on their side with their hips angled away from the opponent.
  • The top leg acts as a shield, framing against the opponent’s body, often with the shin across their chest or hips (similar to the Z Guard).

Frames and Grips

  • Strong frames with the arms and legs maintain distance and control.
  • Grips on the opponent’s collar, sleeves, or pants are used to disrupt their posture and set up attacks.

Distance Management

  • The position emphasizes creating space to prevent the opponent from flattening or pressuring the bottom player.

Transitions

Objectives of Side Guard

Control the Opponent

  • Use frames and grips to limit the opponent’s ability to advance or apply pressure.

Set Up Sweeps and Submissions

  • Utilize the Side Guard's angles to create openings for attacks and reversals.

Defend Against Guard Passes

  • Prevent the opponent from stabilizing a dominant position by keeping them off-balance.

Common Techniques from Side Guard

Sweeps

Push Sweep

  • Frame against their chest or hips, push with your legs, and off-balance them to sweep.

Scissor Sweep Variation

  • Use your shin to block their chest while pulling their base out with grips.

Butterfly Sweep

  • Transition to Butterfly Guard by inserting hooks under their thighs, then elevate and sweep them.

Submissions

Triangle Choke

  • Break their posture by pulling them into your guard and lock your legs around their neck.

Armbar

  • Control their posture and isolate an arm, using angles to apply the lock.

Omoplata

  • Trap their arm with your legs, rotate your hips, and attack their shoulder.

Transitions

  • To Half Guard by securing their leg and scooting your hips inward.
  • To Closed Guard by recovering your posture and pulling them into your guard.
  • To Butterfly Guard by inserting a hook and adjusting your posture upward.

Defending Against Side Guard (Top Player)

Close the Distance

  • Pin their top leg or knee to neutralize their frames and limit their movement.

Knee Cut Pass

  • Drive your knee through their Guard, controlling their upper body to pass.

Smash Pass

  • Flatten their hips and angle your pressure to bypass their Guard.

Leg Weave Pass

  • Trap their top leg and drive forward to secure Side Control.

Tips for Effective Side Guard

  • Stay active with your frames and grips to maintain control and prevent them from passing.
  • Use hip movement to adjust your angle and create space for sweeps or submissions.
  • Focus on controlling their posture and balance to disrupt their passing attempts.

Side Guard is a versatile and defensive position that enables bottom players to create leverage and counterattacks while effectively managing distance. It acts as a hub for transitioning to offensive or safer positions, making it an important tool in any guard player’s repertoire.

Advancing Side Guard

Transitions from Side Guard

To Closed Guard

  • Use your frames to create space, pivot your hips, and pull the opponent into Closed Guard.

To Half Guard

  • Secure one of their legs with your own while framing to prevent pressure, then slide your hips inward.

To Butterfly Guard

  • Insert one or both hooks under their thighs while sitting up and adjusting your posture.

To De La Riva Guard

  • Hook their leg with your bottom leg while gripping their pants or ankle, transitioning into De La Riva.

To Z Guard

  • Extend your top leg into a knee shield while maintaining grips to control their posture.

Submissions from Side Guard

Triangle Choke

  • Break their posture by pulling them forward, isolate one arm, and lock your legs around their neck.

Armbar

  • Isolate their arm by trapping it against your chest, then pivot your hips to secure the lock.

Omoplata

  • Control their arm and shoulder by bringing your leg over their shoulder and rotating your hips outward.

Kimura

  • Secure their wrist and apply a Figure-Four Grip while using your hips to lock their shoulder.

Guillotine

  • Wrap your arm under their neck when they drive forward, then finish by applying pressure to their neck.

Sweeps from Side Guard

Push Sweep

  • Use your top leg to push their chest or hips while pulling their base out with grips to topple them.

Scissor Sweep Variation

  • Block their chest with your shin while pulling their arm or collar to sweep them.

Butterfly Sweep

  • Transition to Butterfly Guard by inserting hooks, then elevate their hips and sweep them to the side.

Pendulum Sweep

  • Use a swinging motion with your legs to destabilize their base and roll them over.

Tripod Sweep

  • Control their ankle and hip, then use your legs to off-balance them backward.

Passes from Top Side Guard

Knee Cut Pass

  • Pin their top leg with your knee while controlling their upper body, then slice your knee across their Guard.

Smash Pass

  • Drive your weight onto their top leg, flattening their hips, and work your way around their guard.

Toreando Pass

  • Grip their pants or legs, backstep slightly, and circle around their guard into a dominant position.

Leg Drag Pass

  • Drag their top leg across your body, pinning it while transitioning to Side Control.

Over-Under Pass

  • Scoop one leg while applying pressure with your chest on the other, then drive forward to pass.

Escapes from Side Guard (Bottom Player)

Frame and Shrimp

  • Use your top leg and arms to create distance while shrimping your hips away to recover Closed Guard or Open Guard.

Roll Under Escape

  • If they pressure forward, roll underneath their base to create space and regain guard.

Inversion Escape

  • Use your hip movement to invert and recover guard by creating a spinning motion under their pressure.

Butterfly Guard Escape

  • Insert hooks under their thighs, lift them slightly, and transition to Butterfly Guard.

Stand-Up Escape

Takedowns from Side Guard

Sweep to Stand-Up

  • Use a sweep to off-balance them, then rise to your feet with grips to maintain control.

Guard Pull to Trip

  • Engage grips, pull guard, and use their forward momentum to trip them.

Ankle Pick

  • Control their ankle with one hand and their collar with the other, driving forward for the takedown.

Single-Leg Takedown

  • Transition to a Single-Leg Grip and use leverage to drive them to the ground.

Side Guard provides a mix of defensive and offensive opportunities, allowing the bottom player to counter, escape, or attack with submissions and sweeps. The emphasis on frames, angles, and distance management makes it an effective tool for controlling and dictating the flow of the match.

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