Guard
Position in grappling
- Type
- Grappling positions
- Martial arts
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu
- Learning path
- Muay Thai: step 4 of 32 (beginner)
The guard is a ground grappling position in which one combatant has their back to the ground while attempting to control the other combatant using their legs. In pure grappling combat sports, the guard is considered an advantageous position, because the bottom combatant can attack with various joint locks and chokeholds, while the top combatant's priority is the transition into a more dominant position, a process known as passing the guard. In the sport of mixed martial arts, as well as hand-to-hand combat in general, it is possible to effectively strike from the top in the guard, even though the bottom combatant exerts some control. There are various types of guard, with their own advantages and disadvantages.
The guard is a key part of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where it can be used as an offensive position. It is also used, but not formally named, in Judo though it is sometimes referred to as dō-osae in Japanese, meaning "trunk hold". It is called the "front body scissor" in catch wrestling.
Other Brazilian jiu-jitsu grappling positions
- Ashi garami
- Back mount
- Half guard
- Mount
- North–south position
- Overhook
- Rear naked choke
- Rubber guard
- Side control
- Sprawl
- Triangle choke
- Wristlock
- Underhook
- Knee-on-stomach
- North–south choke
- Guillotine choke
- Collar tie
- Hooks
- Gogoplata
Japanese terms for grappling positions
| Term | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 下手 | shitate | humble position; inferior |
| 前捌き | maesabaki | battling to knock away the hands of one's opponent, in order to achieve an advantageous position |
| 死に体 | shinitai | losing posture; falling position from which it is impossible to recover |
| 変わり身 | kawarimi | change of attitude (stance, position) |
| 座り相撲 | suwarizumou | wrestling performed in a sitting position |
External links
Facts from Wikidata Q2918465 (CC0); text quoted from English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22.
Data: Wikidata (CC0 1.0); Wikipedia (English) (CC BY-SA 4.0); Subskills sports technique taxonomy (CC BY 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.