The 5 Biggest Guard Retention Mistakes

Guard Retention is the most important skill set in jiu jitsu. No matter what techniques you like to use, sometimes you will make mistakes and guard retention is the key to getting a second chance, this video I go through what I have commonly seen as the most frequent mistakes by student when defending the guard.
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[@jmac7947]

That Dhalsim reference... 🔥🔥🔥

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Haha yup

[@conorbrailey789]

Trust me bro

[@kylethorne1053]

really love this style of concisely layout out the concept one on one the going to the mat for examples. Super dope and really easy to follow.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks a lot just trying to find ways to keep it fun while also being informative.

[@diegobriones9219]

1. Not being aware of distance - A lot of people allow their opponent to get too close to them. The closer he is to you, the easier it will be to pass. Instead, create distance by scooting your body away while looking for useful grips. 2. Holding on to grips too long when he passes - If your attack from guard fails, just let go early and start framing/adjusting your distance before he passes. 3. When on your back, make sure your legs are always in his way or framed on him - Never have your legs down when falling back or pulling guard. 4. Grabbing instead of pushing away - ALWAYS push or frame away to create space. Don’t hold him when your guard is in trouble, you’re doing the work for him. 5. Not protecting Elbow-Knee Connection- you need to frame with your legs but don’t overextend or over-shrimp to the point where your inside position is super accessible.

[@counterhit121]

Wow. Been training for about five years, pull guard most of the time, and never internalized the "feet up and at opponent" concept. My peanut-sized brain exploded. Gamechanger.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah that one is such a killer for so many people at all levels, I see it happen at black belt all the time.

[@manuelrivas4189]

Jon I freaking love this! Sometimes we ask questions to our coaches but they use very vague explanations or don't really address the question very well. And it is difficult for them considering they have so many students with different struggles that is hard to address everyone's needs and the system you have here it's beautiful you do an amazing job by addressing the positions with examples and scenarios please keep this up the jiu-jitsu community definitely benefits from this style of content.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy you liked it buddy! Yeah videos like this are just such a great way to fast help people. Even in my own gym sometimes it works so good to be able to quick reference them to videos to watch after the class.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Will definitely be evolving on this format more and more

[@BrazilianJiuJitsu101]

Thanks for sharing this. Since watching this video and implementing, my guard retention has increased dramatically in training. Partners who would pass my guard on occasion haven’t been able to since I’ve incorporated this. And this is coming from a brown belt with close to 10 years of consistent training. Thanks Jon!

[@rangelet]

I’ve just started Jujitsu at the tender age of 52 and seeing your content easily explained with easy to understand videos is definitely going to help me quickly grasp the many different terms and actions. Thank you

[@ryandean620]

"They learn the cool techniques, then get their guard passed and spend the rest of the time in side control" I don't think I've ever related so much to a comment. It is beyond frustrating!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah this is why I like specific training so much you just get a chance to try again immediately

[@ericdwkim]

Yes!! Literally described my live sessions. It's such a frustrating situation to be in

[@RippedPantsss]

Love the emphasis on elbow to knee distance, very common mistake

[@richardforbes-simpson1834]

some real lightbulb moments from watching this ! thanks for thee tips!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy to hear it buddy that’s what I was going for!

[@Obi10ne]

As a white belt. Your videos have elevated my bjj game. I understand guard retention, passing with intention, layers of guard and maintaining distance. Especially the grip fighting.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Awesome buddy really happy to hear it, it’s crazy how much just sharing videos as a hobby can have such a huge impact all over world. So happy to hear it helped.

[@rc7746]

This helps because I was extending my legs too far to create space, thus my opponent was often passing my guard; the knee to elbow and keeping my legs up and framing prior to falling back is going to help tremendously. This type of content from description to demonstration Is perfect for learning. Thank you!

[@yakovdavidovich7943]

That elbow knee space concept has been very helpful for me. I rather like Chris Pains' term for it: the red zone. There are so many places that the key concept is keeping your opponent out of the red zone.

[@user-nu7qt6hp4r]

I came across these videos by accident and can't stop watching them. Very informative!

[@kevinmcgivern1320]

Thanks! I think this was one of your very best videos. Great information, clearly illustrated, highly relevant to players at all levels.

[@mattodonz7629]

Great video. Nice details to work on. And yea the cutting to the Matt to show what you were talking about, good idea. Pls blooper was well funny! 🤣🤣

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Haha will defiantly keep the bloopers, and gonna keep evolving the methods of mixing the mat footage with the infront of computer stuff and the rolling footage,

[@mattmcgivney7007]

Love the format! Protecting the elbow/knee space is something I'm working on lately, and it has helped me more than any other single cue for guard retention. Thanks for the video.

[@AC-do2rz]

Your stuff is awesome! Thanks so much for posting this. Exact things I was looking for help on.

[@ericdwkim]

This is exactly the kind of content I was looking for as a beginner. All the major points of frustration are being answered and shown perfectly. Even something as simple as the shrimping to get your knee/leg in to retain guard instead of shrimping with legs far out is such a detail that beginners like me will overlook b/c coaches are so busy telling us to simply "shrimp shrimp!!" when we are stuck on the bottom after getting our guard passed. I wish there was a way for me to buy you a cup of coffee or something! Would love more helpful content like this.

[@imonw3b]

Thank you Jon! This information is very useful to know.

[@callummackenzie5207]

Jon. Thank you so much for your videos. Learning so much. I especially love the guard retention and lasso videos. A humble purple belt🤙🏻

[@melisslacour15]

Love the elbow and knee concept I definitely needed this video thank you!

[@gator7082]

Your guard videos have really helped me out here, specifically creating that distance, and the knee/elbow concept.

[@ryanbaker5931]

Great production value and I love the examples. Thanks man!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem buddy I will be including them in future videos a lot!

[@BudokonUniversity]

Great instruction Jon. Thank you.

[@williamchoi9285]

Loving it. Please make more like this. Learning so much so fast.

[@noahsassi9665]

I love the blooper at the end! Amazing content. You deconstruction of of these principles is outstanding. Also, I wish we would get more bloopers.

[@lynchpinlaze]

Loving this new style! Always great content here but this was especially clear and engaging

[@paulscarponescarpone.8681]

Love your content and you’re very easy to follow and everything you show you breakdown perfectly

[@Wildcard842]

I love the videos , thanks for all the details and thoughts. My game plan has definitely evolved by watching and field testing your concepts

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy to hear it buddy! What aspects or ideas do you think helped you most?

[@JRS-qg4kg]

Golden advice...will be using them immediately!

[@stephenlabash3314]

Great content - I have definitely made all of these mistakes at one time or another. Really like the format. The biggest take away for me was observing the use of the opposite foot to maintain distance and control your opponent. You didn't necessarily speak directly to it, but I found it very enlightening. Thank you!

[@sufianal-mukhtar2888]

Every time I think I've discovered a video from you that contains a revelatory piece of advice I discover a new one. Your videos are amazing. Thank you so much Professor!

[@rodrigoep01]

I love this style of content. Keep them coming.

[@kennethchapman1]

Amazing content Jon - thank you! Love the concepts and clear examples, gonna play with these tonight :)

[@Zir073]

Love the delivery style. Position and submission escapes are always great and it seems like you would teach them well.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Will definitely be covering some side escape stuff again soon, I did a long time ago on my channel but I want to really update the quality.

[@grenity]

I learn so much from your videos its insane, things that actually work when i try them on the mats. Thank you, keep up!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy that’s what I like to hear, I want people to actually be able to incorporate the stuff fast.

[@TitanIapetus]

Thanks for the video! I'm definitely going to go back over this and try to absorb some more of it. Very helpful.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah all 5 of these things are good to consistently remind your self of.

[@pinoy.in.scotland]

This is an awesome video! Especially at the end :)

[@FRESHH2JEFF]

You’re the man Jon! SOLID content!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks a ton buddy! Appreciate the support.

[@porkysugrim]

Love the way you organized this video. Really appreciate all the tips. I made some of these mistakes just yesterday

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy it was fun making, definitely gonna try to mix it up a bit in future videos.

[@gregoryendsley497]

This stuff is awesome man really enjoy the vids!

[@lowlowseesee]

i needed this. so concise and clear

[@FNGACADEMY]

Great approach to BJJ content, love it!

[@MiKole86]

I am getting KILLED from overextending and holding onto my lapel guard too long. My teammates are making me pay for it. Great advice, good sir!

[@anonoumos]

collar guard?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem buddy happy to help, over extending is a big killer

[@gustavlundberg1392]

Really nice format! Thanks for the video!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem buddy happy you enjoyed it!

[@profp1343]

Man..love this..thank you for this video

[@rebshannonling]

Thank you for all those valuable insights. I'm subscribing 👍👍👍

[@springgun]

I really like this format: theory first and then demo on the mat!

[@evanmcphee3176]

Great videos. You’re very clear and concise with what you’re saying. Great explanation.

[@djdankmemes9257]

Loved this one! Thanks Jon!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy to help!

[@dbarpuck]

Excellent, being a good teacher is such a valuable skill. You have that skill! Thank you

[@scarroll451]

This is outstanding! All of these were helpful to this blue belt!

[@ChrisKnightJames]

This is excellent. Thank you.

[@SkyyThePuffin]

The knee- to-elbow concept is something very new to me. That helps me visualize the intent of guard very well, thank you!

[@andrewschultz5101]

Loved this, thank you

[@BboyCorrosive]

Your vids have been very useful polishing me back up after coming back after a year off from knee surgery, got passed over and again while pulling from standing last week 🙄

[@madhatter785]

Really useful, i made a lo of these mistakes today while sparring. Will study and kick some ass in return.

[@caparzo54]

Such a cool useful video. Not over-explained and with practical videos right after the explanation. Great job!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much buddy, been trying to play with different kinds of way to make the content informative and fun.

[@Plaskett15]

Great format, thanks!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem buddy really happy to help

[@iamdaudi]

That was one of the most useful videos I've seen in a long time.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy, will be doing more like this soon!

[@dugnacious]

I keep watching these over and over. So good.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much buddy, really happy to see how popular this videos was. Going to make more like it soon.

[@agustinu]

Brother. Love the Channel and the explanations of concepts. Recently got the purple and I need to learn what you teach. 👊🏻

[@joehickman624]

Thank you for dumbing it down for me. Made it easy to understand

[@BrianBirdy]

So good brother, thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@retro6652]

Not sure why I haven't come across your videos before, but they are great! I really like your style of going between your recording room and then to the mat. Thanks for the clear and concise instructions. I'm guilty of a number of these mistakes!

[@CarlFrankBJJ]

Great details as usual, and nice step up in the production quality. Hope to be able to visit you again i Gothenburg when the time is right.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Will be happy to have you visit buddy! Thanks, been working at stepping up the quality for a bit, it’s a skill just like jiu jitsu it becomes more and more automatic over time

[@badllama1210]

I really like these generalized concept videos. It's really helpful for beginners like me.

[@RollTheWorldBJJChannel]

Amazing brother! Your videos are the best reference

[@CleverWheels]

Awesome, all of these are excellent details for me to keep an eye on while I train.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

For sure, I even have to remind my self sometimes. Maintaining distance constantly is a huge aspect.

[@CleverWheels]

@@JonThomasBJJ Glad to hear I'm not the only one who has to remind themselves of details like this. Many thanks!

[@boganbogai894]

Great stuff!

[@marctoleds6259]

Good job, man!!!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy!

[@DJayDiamond]

I'm literally making all these mistakes! Super informative 👌🏻

[@Paladin1776a]

Excellent content Jon, thank you! You have your finger on the pulse of what we all need along this journey and it's greatly appreciated...

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I try my best to think of videos that cover a topic that I know people really need, then I try to find a way to make it quick and digestible

[@Paladin1776a]

@@JonThomasBJJ You are doing a great job and we appreciate your tremendous insight! If you are ever in Dallas, we'd love to host you...

[@JonThomasBJJ]

@@Paladin1776a hey buddy I’ll actually be in Austin in early November perhaps sometime around then could be good. Can you message me on IG and we can work it out

[@Paladin1776a]

@@JonThomasBJJ Assuming you mean Instagram, will do...

[@davidquaid8549]

Great video! Thank you!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy to help!

[@Aceinthehole1179]

Sooo Good! Thank you for all you do.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem buddy happy to help!

[@isaacbetancourt6221]

You and Lachlan. You guys set great teaching parameters and are funny and to the point. I love your content and the bits of philosophy you say and give off. Life is truly a beautiful struggle ☯️ All the best bro.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much it means a lot to have the support. I’m really excited for the next year increasing my quality of content. Before I really didn’t have the editing ability and stuff, but now I’m really committed to learning so I can show more abstract ideas.

[@nicocontreras5366]

Perfecto format for me because for a relative that was sick I had to stop for a month and a half and coming bak is hard if I get too ambitious so prefer to play paying attention to concepts instead of focusing too much on techniques. Thank´s for sharing.

[@teamnorth1184]

Your vid just showed up on my feed. Awesome content! Keep it coming. I love the deep dive conceptual approach to leaning bjj

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy to hear it! Was this your first time seeing one of my videos?

[@teamnorth1184]

@@JonThomasBJJ yes, and i went to your channel, subscribed and watched the rest of them lol

[@theshiv5288]

I appreciate the speed talking to brother. Thanks for the video.

[@NickDevitoMedia]

Great video, easy to follow!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks! I will keep them coming.

[@ironmanbaxter]

Great content 👏🤙

[@rickb_NYC]

I have made every one of these mistakes, and consciously worked to fix them, sometimes taking a long time. I'd say holding bad grips too long -- grips that become bad -- was the hardest.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah this one is extremely common even in black belt, people get so attached to the guard they like to play and refuse to let go and accept they need to change position and move on.

[@LarsAndersenFrihed]

Really good style of video.

[@drew7319]

Holy crap.....as a white belt still trying to find his way this just blew my mind ...so much of what you were talking about I've been doing to my own detriment can't wait to start implementing what you were discussing...I'll be rewatching this over and over and thank you so much....

[@morrisonmcqueen1364]

great stuff, thanks!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy really appreciate the support

[@locknload517]

well done dude... Congrats from Brasil.

[@golddee2040]

Nice video. Some great tips. The over extending and not putting my feet up before leaning back have to be my biggest mistakes. Thanks.

[@Galactus76]

Greet stuff!!! ❤

[@dl6225]

Thanks, I pretty much always play guard. I'm 49 and 148lbs Blue Belt. Generally everyone is bigger than me unless they're a younger kid, I'll generally try to go straight to their back or play guard. I often forget these general principles, psyched to imbed in my mind to hopefully improve my guard game.

[@Griffithroberts]

I really needed this. Welcome to Franklin TN! See you at Profectus with prof Fayyaz in 3 days! Your work has really helped this white belt. TY

[@ryanimpink13]

I love these concept videos. Jon, you are a beast on the mat and a beast at teaching! Oss

[@AZ-em6nj]

Great stuff, thanks!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem buddy happy to help!

[@zencat13]

A lot of light bulb moments there! excellent videos. I struggle terribly being rushed by (like some of the live clips show) - the concepts here are super helpful, thanks Jon

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah always backing up when they rush you is a huge aspect of have good defense in guard.

[@Matto_Harvo]

Loved the detail of bringing legs up before laying back. Suspect takes a lot of mobility and core strength which may be why a lot of people get grips and flop back. Something to work on

[@nicolasa6789]

Very helpful thank you

[@matthi591]

Thanks Jon, your videos are helping me a lot to reevaluate my game. I really enjoy playing guard, but some athletic guys in my club are passing my guard too easily, I believe it's because I overextend my legs, and put my feet too often on the floor. I watch a LOT of BJJ videos but the last few weeks your content has made me make some key adjustments. Thanks a lot, greetings from Belgium.

[@Harma224]

Good stuff Professor, as a beginner white belt this is golden nuggets of info!

[@Tatted_Dadbod]

Really great material. I like attacking and it is scary for an opponent but I learned that a good defensive game and getting out of hard situations is more of a mind game for your opponent. I have seen grown men just get beat down all because they get an advantageous position then lose it because of good guard and escape game. Love the material you push out and I use it on the mats almost daily.

[@justinmiller1535]

Like the others have said, this format is great and easy to comprehend/absorb.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy looking forward to testing out a few other ideas. Really appreciate the support!