Seated Guard

Seated guard is a neutral position where the bottom player sits upright with a strong base, often gripping the opponent’s sleeves, collar, or pants to manage distance and control movement. It provides opportunities for sweeps, submissions, and transitions while maintaining a defensive posture.

This position is versatile for both gi and no-gi competition, allowing practitioners to respond to passing attempts with dynamic leg work or hand-fighting techniques. The seated posture keeps the practitioner mobile, making it harder for the top player to pin effectively.

Seated guard is foundational in modern BJJ, particularly in open guard systems where controlling grips and creating angles are central. Its effectiveness comes from its balance of offensive potential and defensive stability, offering a launchpad for many high-level techniques.