How to Avoid Getting Stuck in Closed Guard in BJJ

The closed guard—simple, fundamental, and highly frustrating when you’re trapped in it.

Whether you’re a white belt learning to posture up or a seasoned grappler trying to avoid armbar setups, getting stuck in closed guard can feel like trying to wrestle your way out of quicksand. And if your opponent knows what they’re doing, they’ll turn that frustration into a sweep, submission, or worse—minutes of control while you burn energy.

At ROLLBLISS, we’re all about helping you level up your game intelligently, and that includes not making the same mistakes over and over again. So if you want to stop living in someone else’s closed guard, read on.

Key Takeaways

• Closed guard is dangerous—avoid it with good grips and movement
• Posture is your #1 defense. Build it as soon as you land in the guard
• Don’t leave your arms out there—keep elbows in and hands off the mat
• Break the guard methodically—either kneeling or standing
• Once you’re out, pass right away before your opponent reattacks
• Drill posture and guard breaks regularly—even solo if needed

Why Closed Guard Is So Dangerous

First, let’s acknowledge the power of the position. Closed guard may look like a “neutral” spot, but it’s anything but. From closed guard, your opponent has:

• Full control of your posture
• Access to chokes and arm locks
• Powerful sweeps (hip bump, scissor, flower sweep)
• The ability to control the pace

The longer you stay there, the worse it gets—especially if you’re being defensive instead of proactive.

Common Mistakes That Keep You Trapped

Before we get into solutions, let’s call out the big mistakes that cause people to stay stuck:

 Poor Posture

Leaning too far forward or backward gets you off balance. Hips too high? You're asking to be swept.

 Lazy Hands

If your hands are on the mat or flailing around, you’re just giving them attack options—think armbars, kimuras, and wrist control.

 Not Controlling Their Hips

The hips are the engine of every attack from guard. If you let them shift and angle, you're in trouble.

 Rushing to Stand Without a Base

Standing up is a good option—but only if you do it with balance and control.

ROLLBLISS Reminder: Awareness is key. The second you fall into closed guard, you need to shift from “reaction” to “strategy.”

Step-by-Step: How to Stay Out (and Get Out)

Here’s your go-to guide for avoiding and escaping closed guard like a pro:

 Step 1: Don’t Let Them Close It

The best way to avoid getting stuck is… never getting there in the first place.

When passing or transitioning, stay active and mobile. Use your hands and knees to monitor their legs and keep them open. Your opponent is always looking to clamp down—your job is to keep the door open.

Key Tips:

• Use knee cuts and torreando passes to keep their legs spread
• Control their hips early—especially after a takedown
• If they start to close, back out fast or create a wedge with your elbow/knee

 Step 2: Build Your Posture Immediately

Once you’re in closed guard, your #1 job is to build solid posture.

Checklist for Good Posture:

• Knees wide for a stable base
• Hips back (not directly over their hips)
• Spine straight, chin tucked
• Elbows in, hands on their biceps, sternum, or belt line—not the mat

Posture kills the guard player’s offense. They need broken posture to attack effectively—don’t give it to them.

 Step 3: Hand and Arm Safety

Avoid giving away submissions by controlling your hands and arms:

• Don’t place your hands on the mat
• Keep your elbows inside their thighs
• Maintain frames against their biceps or body
• If you post, post with structure, not extended limbs

Remember: your arms are safest when they’re close to your body and doing something purposeful.

 Step 4: Open the Guard Methodically

There are several guard-breaking techniques, but all of them start with posture and base. Let’s look at two main approaches:

 1. Kneeling Guard Break

• Posture up and control the hips
• One hand on the belt or hip bone, other under their armpit or chest
• Knee slides back and then wedges between their tailbone and your thigh
• Use that knee to open the guard like a jack—don’t force it

 2. Standing Guard Break

• Secure your grips and posture
• Step one foot up with a wide base
• As you stand, keep your hips back and spine tall
• Use your elbows to pry and your knee to split the guard open

Both options take practice. Choose the one that suits your body type and style.

 Step 5: Pass Immediately

Once you’ve broken the guard, don’t chill. That’s when guard players are most dangerous—trying to re-guard, attack with triangles, or sweep.

Move with intention:

• Push their knee down and slide into a knee cut
• Go to headquarters position
• Initiate a torreando or long-step pass

Think of the guard break as the prelude—the pass is where you claim dominance.

Bonus Tips from ROLLBLISS Athletes

We asked our community what helped them the most when dealing with closed guard. Here’s what came up again and again:

 “Start with intent.”

Don’t wait to get trapped. The moment you land in someone’s guard, posture up, grip up, and begin your escape.

 “Treat posture like a submission.”

Respect it. Fight for it. Without it, you’re toast.

 “Make guard breaks part of every warm-up.”

Repetition builds muscle memory. Drill them until they’re automatic.

Solo Drills to Reinforce the Concepts

No partner? No problem. These drills can help your posture and movement:

 Wall Posture Drill

Sit against a wall and simulate posture recovery. Keep your back straight and chin tucked. This builds awareness.

 Chair Step-Up Drill

Use a sturdy surface to practice standing guard breaks. Focus on smooth, controlled movement.

 Shrimp + Sit-Through Combos

Build mobility for recovering and maintaining posture through transitional drills.

Conclusion

Getting stuck in closed guard is part of the learning curve—but it doesn’t have to be your default reality. With smart strategy, consistent drilling, and good habits, you can neutralize the guard before it ever becomes a threat.

At ROLLBLISS, we believe in training smart, not just hard. Our gear is made to support your movement, keep you comfortable through every transition, and help you stay sharp whether you're breaking guard at open mat or studying at home.

Avoid the trap. Own the position. Train with purpose—and look good doing it.

Check out our no-gi gear built for grip fighting, posture work, and full-range motion at ROLLBLISS.com.

FAQs

1. Is standing or kneeling better for breaking closed guard?

Both can work—standing gives you more leverage, but kneeling can be safer early on. Choose based on your style and what your opponent is doing.

2. How can I prevent them from pulling closed guard in the first place?

Control distance, use strong passing grips, and circle away from their hips. Constant movement and pressure make it harder for them to clamp down.

3. How often should I drill guard breaks?

Ideally every week. Guard breaking is a fundamental skill—drill it like you drill guard passes or submissions.