Guard Retention Principles

Guard retention focuses on preventing the opponent from passing your legs while creating opportunities to recover or improve your position. It requires active hip movement, precise leg placement, and constant awareness of the opponent’s base and posture.

Proper guard retention allows the bottom player to maintain defensive integrity while setting up sweeps or submissions. Techniques such as shrimping, framing, and hook insertion rely on these principles, highlighting the importance of fluidity and positional awareness. Maintaining guard under pressure exemplifies how patience, leverage, and timing often outweigh raw strength in BJJ.