From the bottom perspective, Inverted Guard represents a highly mobile defensive posture that creates unique offensive opportunities through unconventional angles. The practitioner positions themselves upside-down with shoulders and upper back in contact with the mat, weight carefully distributed to avoid neck compression. The legs extend upward toward the opponent, creating defensive frames while maintaining connection through hooks, grips, or foot placement. This position excels at neutralizing pressure passing attempts while simultaneously establishing pathways to back attacks and leg entanglements. The bottom player must maintain constant movement and transitional intent, as static holding in inverted guard leads to energy depletion and increased vulnerability to stack passes. Success from this position requires specific flexibility, developed inversion mechanics, and clear understanding of connected positions like berimbolo entries, X-guard variations, and back take sequences. The modern competition meta has elevated inverted guard from a niche position to a fundamental component of comprehensive guard retention systems, particularly in no-gi and advanced gi competition. The position’s effectiveness stems from forcing opponents to navigate unfamiliar passing angles while the inverted practitioner maintains superior mobility and offensive options. Training emphasis should focus on rapid transitions rather than sustained holding, with clear pathways to dominant positions serving as the primary objective of inversion.
Position Definition
- Practitioner inverted with shoulders and upper back in contact with the mat, head tucked to protect the neck, weight distributed across shoulder blades rather than neck vertebrae to prevent cervical compression injuries
- Legs elevated and extended toward opponent’s hips or torso, creating defensive frames while maintaining connection through hooks, grips, or foot placement on opponent’s body to control distance and prevent smash passing
- Hips mobile and ready to rotate, allowing dynamic movement to track opponent’s passing attempts and create angular advantages for sweeps or transitions to more dominant positions
- Upper body grips established on opponent’s sleeves, collar, or pants to control distance and prevent opponent from establishing dominant passing grips or applying crushing pressure that would flatten the guard
Prerequisites
- Adequate hip and spine flexibility to invert safely without neck compression or injury risk
- Developed inverting mechanics and ability to granby roll smoothly with proper weight distribution
- Spatial awareness and balance control while upside-down, maintaining orientation during dynamic movement
- Recognition of entry opportunities from open guard positions like De La Riva and Reverse De La Riva
- Understanding of connected positions like berimbolo, X-guard, and Single Leg X-Guard with clear transitional pathways
Key Defensive Principles
- Maintain shoulder and upper back contact with the mat, never allowing weight to rest on the neck or cervical spine
- Create space and defensive frames through proper leg positioning and active hip rotation to prevent flattening
- Control opponent’s weight distribution and pressure through strategic angles and grip management
- Utilize momentum and rotational movement to create sweep opportunities and prevent static passing
- Establish grip controls (sleeve, collar, pants) that facilitate inversions and protect against smash passes
- Anticipate and counter passing attempts through dynamic movement rather than static holding
- Develop clear pathways to more dominant positions like back control, X-guard, or leg entanglements rather than remaining inverted
Available Escapes
Berimbolo Entry → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 60%
Rolling Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 65%
Kiss of the Dragon → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 15%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 55%
Single Leg X Entry → Single Leg X-Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 70%
X-Guard Sweep → X-Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 65%
Granby Roll → Closed Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 75%
Omoplata to Sweep → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Truck Entry → Truck
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 15%
- Intermediate: 30%
- Advanced: 50%
Reverse X-Guard Entry → Reverse X-Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 22%
- Intermediate: 42%
- Advanced: 62%
Technical Stand-up → Standing Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 80%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent attempts smash pass with forward pressure and weight driving into shoulders:
- Execute Granby Roll → Closed Guard (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Berimbolo Entry → Back Control (Probability: 50%)
Else if opponent commits weight forward to control position with close distance:
- Execute Rolling Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Kiss of the Dragon → Back Control (Probability: 45%)
Else if opponent maintains distance and steps back to disengage:
- Execute Technical Stand-up → Standing Guard (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Single Leg X Entry → Single Leg X-Guard (Probability: 55%)
Else if opponent establishes strong base with legs wide and low posture:
- Execute X-Guard Sweep → X-Guard (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Single Leg X Entry → Single Leg X-Guard (Probability: 60%)
Else if opponent begins stack pass with hips elevated and pressure angled downward:
- Execute Granby Roll → Closed Guard (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Reverse X-Guard Entry → Reverse X-Guard (Probability: 45%)
Escape and Survival Paths
Shortest path to submission
Inverted Guard Bottom → Rolling Back Take → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
High-percentage back attack path
Inverted Guard Bottom → Berimbolo Entry → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Leg entanglement path
Inverted Guard Bottom → Single Leg X Entry → Single Leg X-Guard → Outside Ashi-Garami → Outside Heel Hook
Triangle finish path
Inverted Guard Bottom → Granby Roll → Closed Guard → Triangle Setup → Triangle Choke
Omoplata sequence path
Inverted Guard Bottom → Omoplata to Sweep → Mount → Armbar from Mount
Kiss of the Dragon path
Inverted Guard Bottom → Kiss of the Dragon → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 30% | 30% | 15% |
| Intermediate | 50% | 50% | 30% |
| Advanced | 70% | 70% | 50% |
Average Time in Position: 5-15 seconds (transitional position)
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
Inverted guard represents a transitional movement pattern rather than a static position within systematic guard retention mechanics. The biomechanics of inversion create unique angular advantages that disrupt traditional passing structures, but the position’s primary value lies in its role as an entry pathway to back attacks and leg entanglements. The critical technical element is maintaining weight distribution across the shoulder blades rather than the cervical spine, which requires specific flexibility and body awareness developed through progressive training. When integrated into a comprehensive guard system, inversion serves as a defensive response to pressure passing while simultaneously creating offensive opportunities through berimbolo sequences and X-guard entries. The position should be trained with emphasis on rapid transitional flow rather than sustained holding, as extended time inverted leads to energy depletion and increased vulnerability to stack passes. Modern competition demonstrates that practitioners who successfully integrate inversion into their guard retention framework gain significant defensive advantages while maintaining constant offensive threat.
Gordon Ryan
I utilize inversion primarily as a transitional position within my guard system, particularly as a component of defensive guard retention when facing aggressive pressure passing from high-level opponents. The key is maintaining defensive integrity throughout the inversion to prevent opportunistic passes while immediately looking for pathways to my preferred back attack sequences or leg entanglement positions. Against high-level opponents, staying inverted for extended periods is energetically inefficient and tactically limiting, so I emphasize quick transitions to berimbolo or single leg X entries with clear finishing objectives. The position works best when integrated with De La Riva and Reverse De La Riva systems, creating a comprehensive guard retention framework that frustrates passing attempts while setting up high-percentage back takes that lead to dominant control positions. In competition, I use inversion specifically to counter smash passes and create the angular control necessary for entering leg entanglement positions, but always with immediate transitional intent rather than static holding without purpose.
Eddie Bravo
Inverted guard has become a cornerstone of modern 10th Planet methodology, particularly in how we develop pathways to leg entanglements and back attacks through systematic sequences. We’ve incorporated inversion extensively into our system, creating specialized variations and entries that connect to rubber guard transitions and control positions like the Truck that offer unique finishing opportunities. The beauty of the inverted position is its ability to create unconventional angles that traditional top players struggle to pass effectively, especially when combined with our no-gi specific grips and control strategies. We emphasize drilling inversion as part of comprehensive movement patterns, connecting it to our unique positions like Electric Chair and Lockdown variations for seamless transitional flow. The key innovation is treating inversion not as an isolated position but as a dynamic linking mechanism within larger systematic sequences that lead to dominant positions and submissions. Our approach focuses on using inversion to create immediate offensive opportunities rather than purely defensive guard retention, which aligns with the aggressive, submission-oriented philosophy of 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu and modern competition demands.