Blue belt · Entry · Core
Sitting to guard safely
Sitting down to guard on your terms instead of getting taken down. In no-gi it's how most guard players start, but only when you sit close and with a grip.
Step by step
- Take a grip first (wrist or collar tie) so they can't rush you as you sit.
- Sit down onto your hip with your hand posted behind you, close to your butt, knees bent.
- Immediately put your feet on their hips or knees, or a shin between you.
- Keep your head off the mat, face them, and settle into seated or butterfly guard.
Details that make it work
- Sit close enough to touch them. Sitting far away lets them pass with no contact.
- Your post hand is also your technical stand-up if they back off.
Common mistakes
- Flopping onto your back from a distance.
- Sitting with your legs flat and no frames up.
Drill it
10 controlled sit-downs to seated guard, alternating sides.
If it fails, or what comes next
- Guard retention: frames & hip escape Guard · Seated guard
- Butterfly (hook) sweep Sweep · Butterfly
- Shin-to-shin to single-leg X Entry · Seated guard
- Technical stand-up Escape · Seated guard
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