Guard Retention: The Complete Guide

[@nikolamejl]

It would take Danaher at least 3 DVDs for what you give us for free in clear to the point concepts, and actual English in around 10 minutes. Bless your heart Jon!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much buddy! I think it’s critical to provide in depth stuff but also make it concise and in a fast format people can comprehend quickly. Then at other times deep analysis is good.

[@theinvertedprotagonist]

Who told you to buy those shits?

[@davidsodergren3333]

@@theinvertedprotagonist this shits?

[@davidsodergren3333]

Have ever woundered why John Danaher produced the best grapplers of all time in a very short period of time? Perhaps the anwer is in those 3 dvds. 😅

[@theinvertedprotagonist]

@@davidsodergren3333 In sports BJJ, but not for real fighting.

[@demianthebackpackmaia435]

This is possibly the greatest guard retention video ever made. Wish I had this as a whitebelt

[@DavidHutchison72]

I was just thinking the same! I am excited to work on these concepts this morning.

[@angerworm]

You produce the most helpful and direct BJJ videos I've seen. And they keep getting better! Thank you.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy I’m really refocusing on my channel, want to up the quality and consistency of everything, so expect a lot more videos soon! Really appreciate the comment!

[@Ken-bz6fr]

You explained guard retention to a much higher level. Instructional videos on GR never address frustrating issues. Never. You were answering the questions in my head.

[@VIDEOSROK]

Man you just explain me the reason why i not good at guard retention!!! thank you so much !!!! now i will practise all of it!!!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hope it helps you fix the problems buddy!

[@frankygreen1572]

0:51 Getting to my side connecting my knee and elbow has helped alot Best guard retention video I've seen thank you

[@asasadsffdgdgd]

There's a lot packed into these 10 minutes. I've watched so much paid material on guard retention and this easily digestible video will likely help the most. Thank you.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Really happy to hear it buddy! A lot can be shown in 1 video if you condense and organize it correctly. Gonna do a lot more big overviews soon.

[@blakespurlock5322]

I connect with these instructionals the most out of the majority of the ones Ive seen...which is alot!

[@danielbrasil24]

I’ve been training for about 4 months and watching your videos for 2 weeks and letting the information sink in has improved my game significantly, your content and way of teaching is amazing! Keep it up man oss

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much buddy, I’m gonna start trying to make basic playlists as well that function for specific topics.

[@nathanslaman8695]

That’s one of the best pieces of advice I ever heard is don’t just keep playing guard. Try to set up offense

[@bryancjacobs]

You will be the Master Yoda of meaningful overviews that are understandable, digestible, and useful!!!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Haha thanks buddy best compliment ever!

[@chrisstephens3196]

Thank you 👍🏼 I love this. I’m a new white belt and the other day while rolling with a black belt, he was using this and just letting me tire myself out. He just kept spinning around. Afterwards he did show me how to pin the knees and get past it, but I thought his guard retention was really cool and I immediately said, I have to learn this. I think it’s especially important for white belts to learn and practice this, since our main objective as white belts is to survive.

[@lonejits]

Love the way you effectively cover such dense content. Solid gold.

[@samvarner1137]

Jon also has some awesome material on the Grappler's Guide! I love the conciseness of these videos.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy trying to be thorough but quick as well.

[@averagejoe5016]

This was such a valuable video for me as a white belt. I have decent guard retention but I haven’t been offensive enough with my guard so when you said at the end how you eventually need an end goal in your guard so that you don’t get tired or make a mistake, that really resonates with me.

[@pascalgraf1413]

This is the most comprehensive video on guard retention I've seen yet and exactly what I've been looking for! Looking forward to checking out your channel. Thanks a lot :)

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Appreciate it buddy! It’s a hard skill set to teach as there are many different aspects and styles so I just tried to put as much ideas and key points into one video that I could.

[@Jonobos]

I like these broad videos. I have put enough time in that I have probably seen specific information, but it is nice to have a wider view. I don't know if it is as helpful for lower belts, but it is really useful for me to see through a different lens!

[@elliottexplodes]

Wow... that is an insane amount of information packed into 10 minutes! A lot to unpack here. Excellent video.

[@theticoboy]

This is really good stuff. I have to say we were spoiled before but now your video editing game has received a belt promotion and your vids are on an another even higher level. Wow!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah honestly I think I just survived the first year or two of KZbin purely off jiu jitsu knowledge now I’m really trying to step up editing and the creative process. Happy to see you can see the difference.

[@shogunkristina]

Thank you Jon for getting straight to the point!!! Other tutorials even big names waste times explaining things that dont need explaining... your great!!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah I think it’s important to value the time of student as well if you spend too long on something that could be explained fast it doesn’t help.

[@humbertosolorzano9842]

I've just started my BJJ lessons (like taking regular lessons this week) and Im really hooked to your videos sincer yesterday night! greetings from Perú! la rompes papi!!!

[@imeis]

It's just 11min but it's packed FULL! I many times look at your videos to get ideas on how to structure or phrase things when I'm teaching and I need to refrain from going too deep too soon on them :D

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah I thought 11 min could be a bit too long but also I wanted it to work as a video anyone could reference and go back to so I didn’t want to leave anything out.

[@imeis]

@@JonThomasBJJ Not too long, it's very easy to navigate anything under 20 I think. Totally agree, you distilled it down to the underlying and important things here.

[@D420_fromArabi]

I like your style of teaching/instructing. It’s explained well

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy! Took a long time getting there, but I just try to teach a lot and I get better at organizing and condensing over time.

[@jamesmcgarry1229]

Lots of tips and fast pace… love it 👍

[@performancej8017]

the best explanation cover all the points. appreciated

[@25davidhenry]

That is an excellent breakdown of guard retention! Thank you!

[@TrishCanyon8]

You've helped me so much. THANK YOU ❤. I'm getting ready to take a seminar on guard moves and I'm so new.😂 SUBSCRIBED

[@aaronbenzrihembjj6014]

Man, those are some awesome details. I've always said one of the most simple things you can do to retain or maintain guard is keep an elbow knee connection. Awesome stuff man! Big fan!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah elbow connection is such a simple thing that makes such a huge difference for people if they haven’t already focused on it.

[@nufufu5558]

Loving the videos. Taking all kinds of notes and looking forward to working on implementing these in my training. Thank you very much and keep them coming.

[@Chemivarian]

Your system and concept videos are awesome! Thanks!

[@RED5standing-by]

Great material. Thank you so much for explaining this in a very clear and concise way

[@badllama1210]

So happy I found this channel.

[@retro6652]

Your videos and explanations are clear and concise. Thank you so much.

[@porkysugrim]

Wow this video is PACKED with awesome tips thanks so much!!!

[@bradbettis9210]

These complete guide videos are amazing

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy there are definitely more coming!

[@jedsanford7879]

love the content Jon, my open guard is trash and I basically spam x sweeps on end up escaping side control. People tend to just run around my guard. I think I need to work on keeping that elbow and knee space tight and shrimp more to retain.

[@kashura38]

this is so damn helpful and simplified, you're a life saver

[@Scott-yn3qq]

Really love your videos. Struggling with guard retention as a beginner but looking forward to trying some of these techniques

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hope this helps you a lot buddy

[@Scott-yn3qq]

@@JonThomasBJJ thanks so much. I seem to be constantly getting passed by toreando and pinned in side control or knee on belly. I look forward to watching and then trying these techniques.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

@@Scott-yn3qq let me know how it goes buddy! Also I have a course on my site on retention as well if you ever want more in depth content on it. Good luck with the development!

[@Scott-yn3qq]

@@JonThomasBJJ thanks! Will do. Excellent videos and super clear instructions.

[@ussu_01]

Again and again I say thank you Jon 👍🔥

[@hammer12482]

You're videos are extremely helpful. Thank you. Would you consider doing an escape and advance series. Escaping from back to s mount to mount to half to guard. Advancing position like standing to guard to side to knee to mount. Seeing you explain the 2-4 situations each position will give you is very helpful

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I can definitely do some escape series soon for sure! Probably will start with a side escape series.

[@MrSnippety]

This is a great video! I'd be interested to hear what you have to teach about retention against pressure passing/heavy top passing. Thanks again!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Gonna do a big video covering that soon as well. Excited to share it!

[@shanesutton8461]

I love your videos ! Thank you so much I'm going to focus on collar sleeve grip. Need to start from somewhere. Cheers mate

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah in my opinion collar sleeve is probably the most important guard to learn first. I have a course on my website if you are interested in learning it more.

[@davidmowell7785]

Excellent content really good and detailed

[@randymali]

Super !! very useful and good format. Thanks Jon

[@OdinMMA]

Excellent and concise, thanks for uploading!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem buddy hope it helps get your guard to the next level!

[@7Phoenix1]

Very helpful Prof Jon. Thanks for sharing.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy it helped

[@alancotaes]

Just wondering who is the sad person who disliked this video. Great tips. Thanks!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Haha there is always someone out there who doesn’t approve.

[@kpall1]

Great video as always!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks appreciate it!

[@phredbookley183]

Coach! I've been wanting this for a while now. TY! Here have a like :-)

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks for the like! Happy the video delivered.

[@rfercaetano]

Its a huge pleasure to me a brazillian practitioner of BJJ learn concepts with a teacher from USA, really the jiu jitsu reached the world. When you wish to come to Brazil feel free to send me a messenger.

[@roleg2007]

Once again a fantastic video. I love the Complete Guide series that you've started issuing. I need help on once I establish an open guard (e.g., double-sleeve, collar-sleeve) and my opponent manages to start breaking my guard down and advance their pass. Are there techniques for how to reengage the feet, shift hips, etc., as well as rules for when to abandon grips and start framing? I'm sure there are probably different approaches depending on the guard, but I was hoping you could discuss high level concepts of shifting from offense to defense. Thank you!!!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

The tricky thing is that when you have lost the position is going to be different in every position. So I would focus a lot on understanding each position well doing specifics. Then when you are in a regular roll and you see your position starting to fail you know when to let go of current grips and transition to a different grip set or focus on framing fast and re-establishing some other control if that makes sense.

[@roleg2007]

@@JonThomasBJJ gotcha. Thanks for such a quick reply!

[@zaziz8]

great content. your instruction is impressive imo

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy

[@Alexjiujitsuallday]

Excellent as always! Thank you.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy to help!

[@dqsrosco]

Great video, excellent information! Ty

[@jhonnyrodriguez3198]

Guys, sincerely, thank you so much!!!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy to help! Hope it makes a huge difference for your retention.

[@ajsal1902]

Amazing video great job thank you!

[@TheRoadTripGuy]

This is amazing stuff. Great info and straight to the point. Do you sell any DVD's?

[@maximedelahaye6780]

Thank you so much from france

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy to help. De Rien!

[@annajylha276]

Just found this channel and the content is s-u-p-e--r-b! Really helpful!

[@OOUGGE]

Love your videos, peace from a whitebelt

[@Powerjudo]

Great content thank you. Can you do a tutorial on shin to shin?

[@sharaudramey9336]

still the best lessons on video!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy, put a lot of effort into it!

[@kaimuller8828]

great content as always!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks a lot Kai!

[@khaledbejdoughJiuJitsu]

Thank you so much for this content.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem buddy thanks for the message!

[@davidrjose]

Great content! Your videos have given me lots of insights :)

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy! Happy to hear it has helped!

[@nicola6789h]

Thank you for this info sir

[@zaneschilling9285]

I’ve been playing a lot of crab ride recently can you make a video of crab x finishes please?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

So I actually have 3 huge videos overview crab and x hook finishes, 2 with espen Mathiesen and 1 with Nick Salles check them out if you haven’t seen them already.

[@idiavolo]

Thanks a lot, god bless you

[@AaronXu70]

Hi Jonathan , I’m new to bjj and currently focus on guard retention. I feel your video really were easy understanding for beginners like me. Will you make a systematic instruction on guard retentions? I also bought your double sleeve video on bjjfanatics, this one is also great!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hey I will make for soon for sure! I’ll post about it as soon as it is finished.

[@malekmeddeb1654]

awesome tips !!! thaks !

[@padshardbank]

By far the most confident redhead i've ever heard speak.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Haha thanks!

[@findus8269]

Thank you! Subbed!

[@emilianom6975]

Is there anything you can do to prevent the rapid change in passing their direction when you use your outside leg to re center

[@vsnellman]

Fantastic.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy!

[@ezrapaul6808]

Great vid. Could you do one discussing mastery of techniques on both sides? Like my best dlr sweeps i can only do on the left, and i kneecut better to the left and torreando to the right. Is it important to be sufficient in both sides or is it fine just working one side?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah for sure I can cover that! Thanks for the reference!

[@theinvertedprotagonist]

Great video Jon. One thing I wanted to ask is since I noticed that you liked to keep your legs tucked in to your body, how would you apply it in a street fight situation? Because from what I know the real purpose of the open guard is to keep distance from your opponent using your feet blocking their hips. So normally the legs must be quite extended.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I would say the main idea is to maintain the protection of your elbow knee space to prevent a pass but as you understand that rule you can extend them at times fast for a specific purpose as long as you maintain the safety of your elbow knee space. For example if someone gets close you could fast up kick the head if they don’t have a grip on your leg I don’t think that’s a problem. If someone gets close to you you can push their hip off you really fast and if you push them really far away they can’t punish you by passing cause they are so far back. So you need to find balance and understanding on when you can do it.

[@JLafleur05]

AWESOME so helpful

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy

[@Sethger]

great content!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy! Appreciate it!

[@cgyj]

How about guard retention for big guys? all i keep seeing is fighting a bigger opponent small guys advantage is that they are fast and have alot of dexterity throw the big guy a bone here

[@achunable]

Any plans for putting your stuff in a DVD?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I will for sure, for the time being I’m just focused on grow long the following and film with other companies like GG and BJJ Fanatics or Jiu Jitsu x

[@achunable]

@@JonThomasBJJ That’s a great game plan. I’ll be looking for it when your DVD arrives

[@lightningmunk]

When am I going onto my back and playing guard retention? Is this only when I do not have positive grips on them?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I would say guard retention starts when you don’t have the grips you can control from and they initiate a pass sequence towards you.

[@kevinmcgivern1320]

No Granby's in your guard retention?

[@rollinOnCode]

how do you adjust your angles? what is the key to getting the opponent off angle to attack the back or sweeps etc?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

It’s uniquely different to each position, there is no fundamental way of doing it because the different grips you have make the mechanics of every grip different I find it’s easier to work by positions. So which position would you want to build a back attack from?

[@valeriogaliffa1097]

thanks

[@robertovelarde_staff-marti9696]

the problem with this is my hip are tight as heck. Because of tight hips my guard is constantly getting passed and I'm fighting from my back. I don't mind it but it's a lot of work to get from your back to get on top or sub.

[@yolcujiujitsummasporsalonu4779]

Hello this is a highly valuable video. Can I translate it to Turkish language and voice over in my channel so my students can learn? Do you give me the permission? I will link your channel as well.

[@ramahwong1925]

Good video

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy

[@Benoni101]

Awesome

[@hammer12482]

Could you do a series on escapes from turtle 🐢?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hey buddy I’m not the best at the so will work on it at some point soon and when I’m ready I’ll put something out on it.

[@germanquinteros2321]

Es un exelenteeeee video

[@bisonyoon5897]

good

[@ironrepublic8175]

Jon, can you go over how to retain guard or gain space when dealing with the Ribero/Romolo style cross collar sleeve kneecut position where the top player threatens both the pass and the choke? Thank you so much for the content!!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Sure buddy, it partly depends on how far along your opponent is in the pass. Did you watch my last video on defending the knee cut 6 different ways?

[@ironrepublic8175]

@@JonThomasBJJ Is the Roger method of late retention what you'd use even if your training partner or opponent has a cross collar grip as well?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I think it might be hard if he is that deep, I think if he had cross collar I’d either be looking to loop my left foot to his hip, or try to clear out my bottom leg. Can you message me on IG with a screen shot of the exact position for context. Some small details can completely changes the situation.

[@ironrepublic8175]

@@JonThomasBJJ just did. Thanks!!

[@rep981]

👌👌👌🙏🙏🙏

[@efromme]

Lol as I’m thinking what about sitting up , 10 starts playing .

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Haha yup I thought about putting that up front first, but the order starting from back I think felt more natural m. I probably should have mentioned it earlier that I would cover it though.

[@efromme]

@@JonThomasBJJ i have your double sleeve series from bjjfanitics , you cover sitting up there , but cool seeing this answered from a retention aspect. I understand your decision, most of the time I am trying to retain guard is from laying on my back .

[@JonThomasBJJ]

@@efromme yeah there is a lot of overlap between series and positions. A lot of the transition points are where the really good stuff is at.

[@thelifeofpieman]

1 person just had their guard passed

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hahaha probably a few more.

[@keima1110]

The Chinese character on your are wrong. The top part are missing. it should be "帥".