Guard Retention: The Complete Guide

Рет қаралды 62,638

Күн бұрын

The ability to stop your opponents guard passes defend and reset a position you can attack from is the foundation of a good guard. This video I go through 12 of the most important concepts for developing solid guard retention and defense. A lot of these details are shared in different places but having them all in one video I think will help make this video function as a strong foundation you can always reference. Quick reference for the video.
1. Maintaining Centered Hips
2. Protecting Elbow Knee Space
3. Using Outside Leg to Re-Center
4. Centering Using Your Arms
5. Elbow Frame to Center Hip
6. Forward Shrimp
7. Under Leg Reset
8. Active High Legs
9. Deflecting Grips with Your Hands
10. Sitting Up
11. Maintaining Distance When Sitting
12. Develop Basic Open Guards
List of Videos referenced
1. Forward Shrimp - • Guard Retention Techni...
2. Collar Sleeve Overview - • Understand the Collar ...
3. Double Sleeve Overview - • The First Open Guard Y...
4. De La Riva Overview - • Understanding the De L...
Follow me on IG for daily content @jonthomasbjj
Vital Gis - www.vitalkimonos.eu

Пікірлер: 176

@nikolamejl 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@bantamweightngannou 3 жыл бұрын

Who told you to buy those shits?

@davidsodergren3333 2 жыл бұрын

@@bantamweightngannou this shits?

@davidsodergren3333 2 жыл бұрын

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. 😅

@bantamweightngannou 2 жыл бұрын

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

@nathanslaman8695 Ай бұрын

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

@demianthebackpackmaia435 3 жыл бұрын

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

@DavidHutchison72 3 жыл бұрын

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

@angerworm 3 жыл бұрын

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

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

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 9 ай бұрын

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.

@SilverSnowRF 3 жыл бұрын

These rules are so easy to understand and so hard to remember during the game.

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah that where I like to do a lot of specific sparring it helps develop and solidify the sequences and when you mess up you can try again immediately instead of spending the rest of the match in the bottom of side control.

@usbsol 3 жыл бұрын

@@JonThomasBJJ well the simple principle is: dont let them in the space between knee and elbow. Now go play 🤗

@frankygreen1572 Жыл бұрын

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

@delmassamba7645 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

Hope it helps you fix the problems buddy!

@RubyRubyTV 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@dqsrosco 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, excellent information! Ty

@ussu_01 4 ай бұрын

Again and again I say thank you Jon 👍🔥

@jamesmcgarry1229 3 жыл бұрын

Lots of tips and fast pace… love it 👍

@RED5standing-by 3 жыл бұрын

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

@nufufu5558 2 жыл бұрын

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.

@porkysugrim 3 жыл бұрын

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

@ajsal1902 8 ай бұрын

Amazing video great job thank you!

@retro6652 2 жыл бұрын

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

@25davidhenry 9 ай бұрын

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

@lonejits Жыл бұрын

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

@Chemivarian 2 ай бұрын

Your system and concept videos are awesome! Thanks!

@performancej8017 2 жыл бұрын

the best explanation cover all the points. appreciated

@badllama1210 Жыл бұрын

So happy I found this channel.

@davidmowell7785 Жыл бұрын

Excellent content really good and detailed

@danielbrasil24 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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

@elliottexplodes 2 жыл бұрын

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

@averagejoe5016 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@kpall1 3 жыл бұрын

Great video as always!

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks appreciate it!

@blakespurlock5322 3 жыл бұрын

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

@OdinMMA 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent and concise, thanks for uploading!

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

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

@kashura38 9 ай бұрын

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

@7Phoenix1 3 жыл бұрын

Very helpful Prof Jon. Thanks for sharing.

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

No problem happy it helped

@randymali Жыл бұрын

Super !! very useful and good format. Thanks Jon

@pascalgraf1413 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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!

@bradbettis9210 3 жыл бұрын

These complete guide videos are amazing

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy there are definitely more coming!

@Alexjiujitsuallday 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent as always! Thank you.

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

No problem happy to help!

@shogunkristina 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@bryancjacobs 3 жыл бұрын

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

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Haha thanks buddy best compliment ever!

@nicolasa6789 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this info sir

@aaronbenzrihembjj6014 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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

@TrishCanyon8 9 ай бұрын

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

@samvarner1137 3 жыл бұрын

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

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy trying to be thorough but quick as well.

@phredbookley183 3 жыл бұрын

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

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the like! Happy the video delivered.

@davidringe8855 3 жыл бұрын

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

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@theticoboy 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah honestly I think I just survived the first year or two of KZfaq 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.

@malekmeddeb1654 Жыл бұрын

awesome tips !!! thaks !

@shanesutton8461 Жыл бұрын

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 Жыл бұрын

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.

@davidrjose 3 жыл бұрын

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

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy! Happy to hear it has helped!

@khaledbejdough2694 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this content.

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

No problem buddy thanks for the message!

@jhonnyrodriguez3198 3 жыл бұрын

Guys, sincerely, thank you so much!!!

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

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

@idiavolo 4 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot, god bless you

@kaimuller8828 3 жыл бұрын

great content as always!

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Kai!

@sharaudramey9336 3 жыл бұрын

still the best lessons on video!

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy, put a lot of effort into it!

@jedsanford7879 5 ай бұрын

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.

@chrisstephens3196 Жыл бұрын

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.

@humbertosolorzano9842 2 жыл бұрын

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!!!

@annajylha276 3 жыл бұрын

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

@findus8269 17 күн бұрын

Thank you! Subbed!

@zaziz8 3 жыл бұрын

great content. your instruction is impressive imo

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy

@OOUGGE 3 жыл бұрын

Love your videos, peace from a whitebelt

@Sethger 3 жыл бұрын

great content!

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy! Appreciate it!

@MrSnippety 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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

@vsnellman 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic.

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy!

@imeis 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

@@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.

@JLafleur05 3 жыл бұрын

AWESOME so helpful

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy

@rfercaetano 9 ай бұрын

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.

@hammer12482 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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

@maximedelahaye6780 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much from france

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

No problem happy to help. De Rien!

@Powerjudo 3 жыл бұрын

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

@TheRoadTripGuy 3 жыл бұрын

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

@germanquinteros2321 2 жыл бұрын

Es un exelenteeeee video

@valeriogaliffa1097 3 жыл бұрын

thanks

@Scott-yn3qq Жыл бұрын

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

@JonThomasBJJ Жыл бұрын

Hope this helps you a lot buddy

@Scott-yn3qq Жыл бұрын

@@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 Жыл бұрын

@@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 Жыл бұрын

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

@100watsoncm 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome

@ramahwong1925 3 жыл бұрын

Good video

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks buddy

@roleg2007 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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

@AaronXu70 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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

@bisonyoon5897 2 жыл бұрын

good

@ezrapaul6808 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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

@alancotaes 3 жыл бұрын

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

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

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

@zaneschilling9285 3 жыл бұрын

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

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@bantamweightngannou 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@emilianom6975 3 жыл бұрын

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

@yolcujiujitsummasporsalonu4779 2 жыл бұрын

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.

@rollinOnCode 3 жыл бұрын

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

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

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?

@cgyj Жыл бұрын

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

@lightningmunk 3 жыл бұрын

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

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@robertovelarde_staff-marti9696 9 ай бұрын

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.

@achunable 3 жыл бұрын

Any plans for putting your stuff in a DVD?

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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

@rep981 Жыл бұрын

👌👌👌🙏🙏🙏

@hammer12482 3 жыл бұрын

Could you do a series on escapes from turtle 🐢?

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@kevinmcgivern1320 2 жыл бұрын

No Granby's in your guard retention?

@ironrepublic8175 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

@@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 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

@@JonThomasBJJ just did. Thanks!!

@padshardbank 3 жыл бұрын

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

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Haha thanks!

@thelifeofpieman 3 жыл бұрын

1 person just had their guard passed

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

Hahaha probably a few more.

@efromme 3 жыл бұрын

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

@JonThomasBJJ 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

@@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 3 жыл бұрын

@@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.