Closed guard to the back (Lachlan Giles)

The arm across position is the cornerstone of a good closed guard game, made famous by Roger Gracie. Here Lachlan demonstrates how to get the arm across and take the back.

[@crhasty12]

I've seen this back take so many times, but the details in this video make me feel like I just learned it 🔥🔥

[@codylefevre937]

Amazing. The one part at beginning about the 3 options was huge in itself

[@ShUkER5784]

True

[@sudopluto_irl]

was having trouble breaking down larger guys in my guard who would just muscle their way out any time i tried to lock down an arm, will give this a try tonight while rolling. Using the trapped arm to break the posturing of the free arm is honestly pretty genius. Thanks for the great vid!

[@sudopluto_irl]

update: was rolling with a guy bigger than me, was able to drag the arm across, but wasn't able to push it all the way across and down. probably was too focused on hands to put real pressure with legs to lock it down. went for high guard, he was able to break it by posturing up. guess need to focus more on curling them towards me while trying to lock down arm

[@sudopluto_irl]

edit: probably just gut reaction of trying to prevent bigger guys from just laying down on top of me in guard (that happens a lot to me lol, i get squished)

[@AbsoluteMMAStKilda]

Sounds like it was close. Keep working it!

[@EnergiaMartialArts]

Awesome video again Lachlan! Been teaching this exact same position last month but with focus on the armbar setup (and also linking the backtake and flower sweep). Nice to see this detailed backtake! Thanks!

[@AbsoluteMMAStKilda]

Thank you Tum :)

[@robertoconnor7877]

It was really nice to see the details on getting the elbow across

[@guillaumel7484]

chest detail to free arm was nice!

[@Marcnshae2011]

I love all your technique breakdowns Lachlan! I find it to be hit or miss whenever I try KZbin techniques in live training. I have the most success with your advice! Much appreciated.

[@AbsoluteMMAStKilda]

Thank you!

[@JusteedelCastillo]

Man I miss training at Absolute. There's no place like it. Lachie is just the best.

[@leandroviannachagas7282]

Perfect instructions, thank you so much

[@rosatistrengthsystems]

Lachlan got that movement!

[@hermixtonen]

Lachlan - as you get his arm across the midline and get both your arms hugging around him , wouldn’t it be a good idea to go for a “gift wrap “ type hold where, in the video , your left hand (top hand ) reaches down to grab his right wrist ? Wouldn’t that make everything so much easier, as he would not be able to bring his right arm back into proper position ?

[@AbsoluteMMAStKilda]

It's definitely an option and some people use that really well. My preference is to stay attached to the armpit as sometimes when you grab the wrist they can still adjust the positioning of the hand (e.g. start to bring their arm in front of their face), in that case there may be less purchase when going for the back.

[@the_izebox5908]

You know Lachlan made it just by counting the ads.

[@MatrixJiuJitsu]

Zero dislikes, that’s magic nowadays 🪄

[@Kaucera]

You jinxed it

[@samuelemeryjiujitsu]

It doesn't even show dislikes anymore cuz they cause too much emotion lolol

[@arasgames5210]

will you make closed guard dvd?

[@AbsoluteMMAStKilda]

Maybe one day haha, lots to work before that

[@pulsarlights2825]

I like the way Xande shifts his hips higher up so you can hold the position with no hands, check that one out, he calls it the side guard, I think

[@kobebetty]

I'm here at 720 like. I hope to visit this dudes gym one day!

[@prz36]

Hey Lachlan! Not sure if you will get this or not, but do you have any advice for when they pin your bottom hand to the mat with their free arm? I love the way you address all the options they have from the position, but I can't find this detail anywhere. Thank you!

[@StephenMoore777]

Amazing

[@mohd9252595]

Successful details

[@DannyRichard-mc5fz]

Would this work for mma

[@69situation69]

What if you are in the Gi and you struggle to break the grip of the bottom arm that you need to base on the floor?

[@qasim1590]

Ask him to take off his gi

[@adampalamara]

Turn up the thermostat until he removes it

[@AbsoluteMMAStKilda]

It's definitely harder to break but i still try that method

[@CrispimSoares]

Thank you, Prof Lachlan. As usual, excellent instructions.

[@frontierarborptyltd7396]

Velachiraptor the Grey?!?!?

[@AbsoluteMMAStKilda]

Getting old

[@CrispimSoares]

@@AbsoluteMMAStKilda Our dearest Professor will always be a killer, no matter the amount of gray hair. The kids at ADCC better not fool themselves.