Breaking Posture in Closed Guard ( The Complete Guide )

[@kobe51]

Damn, this was better instruction that the gyms I've been in...

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy appreciate it

[@dougfcrowe]

This is one of the clearest conceptual videos I have seen on closed guard and attacks that flow off of various responses. Will be drilling these sequences!

[@optimiseart]

Very clear and specific. A lot of instructional videos for BJJ include talking and stories. You get straight into. Excellent well done. Andrew Higgins 65 year old brown belt.

[@robbcraven2164]

Best channel on KZbin for bjj hands down

[@adolfoforonda3363]

This is the video that glues so many of Jon's videos together, going to refer back to this over and over for sure.

[@TheRoadTripGuy]

This last comment really hits home. I am always so focused on the attack that I do not even look what grip the other guy has. Great video!

[@physiotipswithmarrow5836]

Very helpful and this should be taught this way in more gyms.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah understanding the structure of each grip and how to attack it helps a ton.

[@porkysugrim]

Really appreciate this! Covers the common problems all in one video!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy to help buddy

[@sharlah4057]

I love that I am finding your videos as a beginner. I often get someone into my guard but generally have no idea of how to hold a bigger person in it. I usually prefer side control for that reason but with these tools I think my luck should improve....

[@nikogdatakogo]

bigger opponents are a big challenge even if the technique is on spot. Don't get discouraged)

[@mustaphamsr9617]

I love those complete guide short videos, awesome content as always thanks Jon

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Me too buddy I will be doing more soon for sure!

[@kevinhayden9030]

I was waiting for this. Thank you 🙏

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy to deliver on it buddy!

[@OnGuardBJJ]

Awesome. The classics never die. Thanks JT.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yup old school but effective!

[@AJ-be5jv]

I really like the way you teach man you make everything so easy to understand thank you

[@AndreMercado]

great breakdown, definitely include a link to your other videos transitioning from this , good work.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Just added it to the description now

[@TheRedhulk2004]

Just subscribed. Was listening to "A game plan for the closed guard with Jon Thomas" on the strenuous lifestyle podcast. KZbind breaking posture and found this video. I thought you sounded very familiar and found it serendipitous that you were the guest on that episode and the creator of this one. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks a lot buddy! Really happy you found the channel and have been enjoying the content!

[@thequinjaross4126]

This seems like exactly what I was looking for for a new guy in my BJJ class in school. He’s clearly physically stronger than me and is getting good instruction, so I haven’t “won” against him very much. I’m excited to try these principles out soon!

[@jsealejandro06]

Great quality! Subscribed!

[@tor678]

Awesome content. Thank you! The grips you showed are the main ways people sit in closed guard if they actually want to get out and start passing. What do you do if they allow you to break their posture, but are just stalling? Super tight with their elbows, grip fighting etc without making an effort to open your guard...say you're down 2 points, one minute to go, and you want to sweep/submit a guy who stalls

[@zm3618]

Fantastic. I almost never subscribe to anything and just watch what i like, but this really is worth logging into youtube just to make sure i don't miss future videos and show support. Really great video and overall content

[@dawizze1]

These videos are so nice man thank you for making them. As a white belt who comes across these problems often and stuck trying to find solutions after class on my own... this helps so much.

[@SirWellingtonTheWell]

Love what you do! One of the best channels for bjj content on youtube by far - please never stop. I would've loved to have seen a short bit at the end with Espen's favourite way to break the posture or a cool tip/trick/hack. Feels like such a shame to have one of the best BJJ guys in the world as a dummy haha

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Haha yeah it’s been fun for both of us though you learn a lot from each other working as the dummy.

[@truelife13]

Man, you just pump out awesome videos. Thanks so much Jon

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem buddy really happy to hear you are enjoying them!

[@truelife13]

@@JonThomasBJJ they’re greatly appreciated! Audio is always clear, you adjust your angles so the technique is always visible, regular uploads, always look forward to them :). Have a great day

[@coachdavid-primalmovement]

I’d love to see any tricks you have pertaining to ankle picks ! Set ups , as well as any finishes from the takedown

[@maurjmp]

really helpful, so clarity to explain the concepts, thanks!!!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem!

[@nicocontreras5366]

Hip Bump sweep is my favourite when I face that situation. I am more into more "modern" guards but I´d love to see a deeper video on high guard if possible.

[@justtube97]

Simply put, great video. Thanks immensely 👍👍👍

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much happy you liked it, and thanks for supporting the channel

[@7Phoenix1]

Very helpful, thanks Prof.

[@StefanAlves88]

Awesome breakdown! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem buddy happy to help

[@jaehwan123]

Just what I needed. Thanks!

[@shahar42000]

Great instructions thank you very much helped me a lot to roll with very strong and aggressive guy in my gym

[@neild3177]

Thanks. Would love to see a dedicated video to your high guard attack.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Will definitely do a high guard video soon

[@kevint4673]

Awesome vid and great tips!

[@alintampa]

Would love to see some videos on defending/escaping the cross body pass from half guard. The pass where they beat your knee shield by turning into your body and end up in a reverse kesa gatame type position with their one leg still in your half guard

[@MatttheButcher]

beautiful ! easy explanation and easy to understand

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much buddy I try to make it to the point and useful

[@Deadward1113]

Thanks again for the A1 explanation.

[@tantelycathymaharisoa8888]

Thank you for the fantastic video!

[@justinmiller1535]

Love the content. So fundamental and so effective.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy appreciate it

[@theticoboy]

This is an awesome video. You’re editing is getting good! Question: I sometimes still struggle with strong guys who double grip low on the hips and drive the elbows into my thighs. They typically are driving my hips down while arching their backs kinda like a cat to pop my legs open. Am I just reacting too late to pull them over their hands? If so, should I abandon breaking their posture and get ready to play some type of open guard?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I would focus on breaking then forward with the lapel grips or trying to go up into the hip bump sweep variation.

[@mizmo]

These videos are so helpful and informative, thank you

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy

[@farlooncave]

Right counter for hip bump is not drive to oppontent, or moving chest forward, but stand up on your knees (so - moving yout butt forward and be straght on your knees) - is great way to break guard and go to half, or even back take. To do it properly you cant sit with very wide spread legs, your knees should be connected to opponent hips, cause you need hip mobility to stand up. It's very uncommon, but powerful move - I do this all the time and passing black belts guards who are usually sure, that they hip bump me.

[@georgebezverhov1143]

This is gold, thank you

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy you liked it.

[@titisuzanne9267]

Thanks for showing it so clearly!🙌🏼🙏🏼

[@ryan5726]

Hi Professor Jon, this is a fantastic video, which helps me improve the game in close guard! I wondered if it is possible to also film some instructionals regarding the " mount escape" or "escape from the mount", as I found it a common position that I have always struggled with. Thank you!

[@frankterry7942]

Could you make a full video on how to break the closed guard as well? Cheers

[@paultaylor107]

This is amazing. I was looking for this as there is a crazy strong guy at my gym and he uses the 1st method and I am really struggling to break his posture

[@malachizarathustra7301]

Really helpful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@waelharp4060]

Love your videos man thank you.

[@usbsol]

Nice, lots of good point and clear presentation. Did you do a video on posture in the closed guard yet? Because your partners posture looks a little off, sitting high on feet on top of eachother. Arched back instead of tucked tailbone. Slight forward tilt 🤷‍♂️

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No I haven’t done one on posture in closed guard. There are a lot of different ways to position in closed guard, and no one way is the “correct” way. The guy on top is one of the best competitors in the world, I don’t think his posture in closed guard is an issue.

[@usbsol]

@@JonThomasBJJ i am just saying that what I see is not in line with the principles I have been taught. Maybe your partner should do a video on his guard posture? 😉 it would be interesting. Cheers

[@pacvivien3141]

thanks, it has helped me a lot

[@Exploremorefishing]

Great content, can you talk about how to counter the elbow grinders closed guard break ( elbows into thighs ) besides just opening the guard

[@JonThomasBJJ]

The first techniques I showed should be able to break them forward when they try to do that normally.

[@kevint4673]

A good technique for this is to also situp (while keeping guard closed) and reach over their shoulder with one arm, then cup the back of their elbow with your free hand while falling to your back (bringing them down with you), using your knees to bring them down with you.

[@AuSole]

Thank you 감사합니다!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy you enjoyed it

[@vladfarias]

Awesome!

[@zoetekauw9647]

Jon can you tell us what to do here when your opponent is sitting with one knee up? I find myself there constantly. Their base is so solid and I cannot buckle them. Love your content

[@bernardod.c.1193]

Thanks!!!!

[@idkhehe658]

closed guard is very difficult to maintain thanks for the tips

[@pattyorigami]

This might be a dumb question: Some of the kids I work with run into the problem of the bigger kid inside the smaller one's guard pinning his/her wrists against their body. I know that as long as they're pinned it's basically stalling and so the student in the bottom is safe, but they get frustrated and can't seem to break free, despite what I have taught them about grip fighting and twisting out of the grips. I wonder if you have any specific strategies and techniques to deal with this problem.

[@tearsintherain6311]

What about when they seat down and backwards ? Do you always sweep or is there another transition for newbies

[@boxwithwalter]

How do you deal with a strong opponent who stood up is still in close guard, but is low in base, hides legs and has a strong straight arm in your collar?

[@TonyFernandezjkdjedi]

This is me,Old School Guard Game :)

[@jerrylouis1305]

Do you have videos that can help me with my basics?

[@sanlizm2jm]

Off topic question but I've noticed and appreciate that your guard game and retention isn't revolving around inverting, is this a consious effort?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah I in general try to avoid inverting when I can I feel it’s always easier to get smashed from there.

[@abangsaefbjj4265]

Crazy how Espen is the uke 🤯🙇🏻‍♂️

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Worlds toughest Uke

[@richardf7223]

What kind of gi is that?

[@whymustidothisaaargh]

👍

[@muhammadkamil3558]

what to do if the top guy vice grips your wrists (in no gi?)

[@warrengardner]

Anyone have a link to the overhook triangle video he mentioned?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ7ZXmqtm6p0e5Y Here you go buddy

[@visarmakolli2240]

Just wondering how i would do this in no gi?

[@jerrylouis1305]

I have a weak basic in jujitsu, I usually get them into guards but intermediate or better players easily tab me out

[@danieladams1752]

Thank you Cal Kestis!

[@DRK0114]

people aren't going to just let you cross their arm over though. It's so telegraphed

[@IMPERATOR540]

Jon can americans no longer pick up vital gi...want to show some love but i don't think we can purchase anymore

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hmm I’ll ask them about it

[@matthewparker9563]

Money

[@adammurphy5372]

These guys have really nice feet