A BJJ guard is more than lying on your back. It’s where defense turns into offense, using hips and legs to control distance and balance. 

For beginners, the challenge is learning which positions offer real control and which lead to stalled exchanges. Some BJJ guards emphasize tight containment, while others allow movement and angles, especially in no-gi training. 

In this guide, we break down ten essential guard positions that provide safety, leverage, and clear paths to sweeps and submissions, helping you train with purpose, not just intensity.

1. Closed Guard

Closed guard is the classic starting point for most beginners, legs wrapped around the opponent, ankles locked, controlling their posture. While it may feel static, it teaches foundational movement and timing for all BJJ guards.

Why it matters for beginners:

• Offers strong defense while learning core techniques.

• Develops hip mobility and basic guard retention.

• Builds confidence before exploring open guard positions.

Techniques to practice:

• Armbar

• Triangle choke

• Scissor sweep

No-gi tips:

• Focus on underhooks and head positioning instead of collar grips.

• Transition to open guard positions if the opponent starts standing.

2. Butterfly Guard

Seated, feet hooked under the opponent’s thighs, knees flared, this dynamic position emphasizes leverage and timing. Butterfly guard is an early step toward more advanced BJJ guards.

Why it matters for beginners:

• Teaches sweeping and off-balancing without heavy grips.

• Encourages fluid transitions to other guard positions.

• Improves hip awareness and weight distribution.

Techniques to practice:

• Butterfly sweep

• Arm drag to back

• Guillotine choke

No-gi tips:

• Shin-to-shin entries improve control in no gi open guard play.

• Elevate hips to counter standing opponents. 

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3. Half Guard

Half guard traps one of the opponent’s legs while maintaining frames. This BJJ guard bridges the gap between basic closed guard and more complex open guard positions, building recovery and offense simultaneously.

Why it matters for beginners:

• Encourages creative recovery when under pressure.

• Strengthens underhook, frame, and posture awareness.

• Provides a springboard for sweeps and back takes.

Techniques to practice:

• Old school sweep

• Underhook to dogfight

• Lockdown

No-gi tips:

• Focus on hip escapes and knee torque.

• Seamlessly transition to no gi open guard setups.

4. Z Guard (Knee Shield)

A half guard variation with a top knee as a shield, Z Guard protects against pressure while preparing sweeps or reversals. It’s a key defensive component in many modern BJJ guards.

Why it matters for beginners:

• Adds a defensive layer to half guard.

• Teaches distance control and framing.

• Prepares for offensive sweeps and back attacks.

Techniques to practice:

• Knee shield sweep

• Waiter sweep

• Back take

No-gi tips:

• Use elbow frames to maintain separation.

• Excellent for recovering no gi open guard against pressure passers.

5. De La Riva Guard

One of the most versatile open guard positions, De La Riva wraps the outside leg around the opponent’s lead leg. It’s foundational for off-balancing, sweeps, and fluid transitions.

Why it matters for beginners:

• Develops timing, balance, and sweep setups.

• Encourages fluid movement between BJJ guards.

• Great for practicing open guard entries without relying on grips.

Techniques to practice:

• Tripod sweep

• Omoplata

• Berimbolo basics

No-gi tips:

• Replace sleeve grips with ankle or wrist control.

• Effective for agile opponents in no gi open guard.

6. Reverse De La Riva Guard

Reverse De La Riva mirrors the traditional setup inside-out. It improves inversion awareness and complements other open guard positions, especially for rolling in no gi environments.

Why it matters for beginners:

• Adds versatility to your BJJ guards.

• Develops control during inverted transitions.

• Prepares for sweeps and back takes from unusual angles.

Techniques to practice:

• Kiss of the dragon sweep

• Back take

• Leg drag

No-gi tips:

• Focus on shin pressure and hip rotation.

• Transition fluidly into other no gi open guard positions. 

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7. X Guard

X Guard places both legs under the opponent, one hooking the far leg. This BJJ guard teaches leverage and balance, making it easier to sweep opponents regardless of size or strength.

Why it matters for beginners:

• Introduces high-percentage sweep mechanics.

• Improves understanding of body positioning and control.

• Bridges single-leg attacks to advanced guard positions.

Techniques to practice:

• Basic X sweep

• Technical stand-up

• Heel hook setups (careful)

No-gi tips:

• Enter from open guard transitions or controlled falls.

• Prioritize hip control over grips.

8. Single Leg X Guard (SLX)

SLX focuses on one leg with the other supporting your lift. It’s a progression from X Guard, introducing safe leg entanglements and sweeping options, especially effective in no gi open guard scenarios.

Why it matters for beginners:

• Builds hip control and leverage.

• Teaches safe leg entanglement setups.

• Expands sweep options from standing opponents.

Techniques to practice:

• SLX sweep to mount

• Ashi garami transitions

• Quick takedowns

No-gi tips:

• Focus on timing and leverage, not brute strength.

• Perfect for open guard play without grips.

9. Shin-on-Shin Guard

Seated with shins against the opponent’s shins, this BJJ guard maintains space and prevents easy passes. It’s a natural gateway to dynamic guard positions like butterfly or SLX.

Why it matters for beginners:

• Maintains distance in open guard scenarios.

• Bridges seated guard and advanced positions.

• Allows smooth transitions into sweeps or recovery drills.

Techniques to practice:

• Shin sweep

• Guard pull to butterfly or SLX

• Adapted collar drag

No-gi tips:

• Minimal adjustments needed for no gi open guard.

• Use shin pressure to create space and off-balance opponents.

10. Open Guard (Seated)

Open guard is the foundation of all other open positions. Feet on hips or knees, active and ready, this position emphasizes mobility, distance control, and opportunities for sweeps or recoveries.

Why it matters for beginners:

• Develops proactive defense and hip mobility.

• Forms the base for advanced open guard positions.

• Encourages control and timing over raw strength.

Techniques to practice:

• Hip bump sweep

• Technical stand-up

• Guard recovery drills

No-gi tips:

• Focus on frames, underhooks, and maintaining space.

• Evolves naturally into no gi open guard variations like lasso or inverted setups.

Bottom Line

Getting comfortable with these ten BJJ guards gives you a real toolbox, something that keeps you safe, in control, and ready to attack when the moment comes. 

Start with a closed guard, then move into open positions like shin-on-shin or reverse De La Riva. You’ll pick up sweeps, submissions, and ways to hold your ground, even in no-gi. 

Drill your entries, your transitions, and your defenses; one or two guards at a time, so it actually sticks. Over time, all that practice becomes your own game, letting you roll with more confidence, flow, and control, whether in gi or no-gi.

FAQs

What guards are there in BJJ?

Lots to choose from. Closed guard, half guard, butterfly, X guard, single leg X, … even open seated guard. Each has its own way to control, sweep, or threaten submissions.

Which BJJ guard is the best?

Depends on you. Closed guard is a solid starting point, but open guards like De La Riva or X guard can be deadly if you move well and read your opponent. No single guard rules them all.

Why is the guard important?

It’s your base from the bottom. You defend, control distance, and set up sweeps or submissions. Hips and leverage beat brute strength here.

What’s easiest for beginners?

Closed guard. It teaches basics, control, hip movement, staying safe, and builds confidence before you try the trickier open guards.

Can you use closed guard in no-gi?

Definitely. You trade grips for underhooks, frames, and head control. The principle’s the same: control first, attack second.

How does butterfly guard work in no-gi?

It’s great for off-balancing and sweeping without relying on grips. Lift, shift your hips, and you can destabilize a standing opponent smoothly.

How do you move from closed to open guard?

Slowly. Work your hips, keep frames, and practice entries like butterfly or shin-on-shin in controlled rolls until it clicks.

Do I need all guards as a beginner?

No. Stick to one or two, nail the basics, and expand gradually. Trying to learn all ten at once is just asking for frustration.