How to Play Open Guard in BJJ | Week 10

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This Week’s Focus: Open Guard Fundamentals

Playing bottom open guard is all about effectively using your limbs to control distance and manage space. You’ll focus on three main tools: grips, posts, and hooks — and learn to use them in combination to keep your opponent off balance.

Key learning points this week:

  • How to grip, post, and hook for maximum control.

  • How to combine these tools to off-balance and attack.

  • How to avoid the most common beginner mistakes in open guard.

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Flowchart Overview

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Key Concepts

The Three Tools of Open Guard

  • Grips: Use your hands to grip sleeves, pants, or collars. Good grips control your opponent’s posture and limit their passing options.

  • Posts: Use your hands, elbows, knees, and feet to control space and move your hips into attacking position. 
  • Hooks: Control your opponent’s legs with outside hooks (De La Riva), inside hooks (butterfly), or cross-side hooks (reverse De La Riva).

Primary Goal

Combine these tools to manipulate your opponent’s base and balance — opening up sweeps, submissions, or opportunities to wrestle up.

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Beginner-Friendly Drills for Open Guard

Drill 1: Grip-Post-Hook Flow

  • Start seated, establish grips, add a post, then set a hook. Repeat the sequence.

Drill 2: Hip Movement Retention Drill

  • Partner tries to step around your legs; you post and pivot hips to stay square.

Drill 3: Sweep Sequence Drill

  • Practice 3 basic sweeps from open guard:

    • Tripod sweep

    • Scissor sweep variation from open

    • Technical stand-up sweep

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Common Mistakes for Beginners

Not managing space first – Attacking too early often leads to guard passes.

Overcommitting to the bottom position – Missing chances to sweep or stand up.

Laziness with one or more limbs – All four limbs should be active for maximum control.

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Weekly Checklist

By the end of this week, you should be able to:

  • Explain the difference between grips, posts, and hooks.

  • Use all four limbs actively in open guard.

  • Perform at least two sweeps from open guard.

  • Retain guard for at least 30 seconds against a passing partner.

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Reflect & Review

Ask yourself:

  • Am I attacking before I have control of space?

  • Do I use all four limbs actively in open guard?

  • What sweeps feel most natural to me right now?

  • 👉 Beginner Guide to Playing Open Guard in BJJ

  • ✅ Want feedback on your top control? Submit your roll here →

  • ⏭️ Week 11 | Top Half Guard

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