BJJ Graph

Rubber Guard

Dec 09, 20258 min read

The Rubber Guard is a specialized guard position developed and popularized by Eddie Bravo within his 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system. This position builds upon the closed guard by adding a high degree of upper body control through a series of complex leg and arm configurations. At its core, the Rubber Guard involves the bottom player using their leg to trap the opponent’s arm against their own chest, typically by bringing one leg high across the opponent’s back and securing the shin or foot with the opposite arm. This creates exceptional posture control and provides unique attacking opportunities, particularly for triangles, omoplatas, and various 10th Planet-specific submissions. The position is especially effective in no-gi grappling and MMA contexts where it can neutralize the opponent’s striking while setting up submissions. The Rubber Guard system includes multiple named positions such as Mission Control, New York, Invisible Collar, and Zombie, each representing a specific configuration within the overall framework. Success in this position requires exceptional flexibility, particularly in the hips and hamstrings, along with systematic understanding of the progression sequences that characterize the 10th Planet approach. The strategic trade-off inherent in Rubber Guard is clear: practitioners sacrifice some positional stability and mobility in exchange for superior arm control and unique submission pathways unavailable from conventional closed guard positions.

Key Principles

  • Establish and maintain strong posture control through leg pressure on trapped arm

  • Create high guard position using extreme hip flexibility and proper bridging mechanics

  • Use leg positioning to isolate and control opponent’s arm while preventing posture recovery

  • Apply systematic progression through named positions (Mission Control → New York → Invisible Collar)

  • Coordinate grip configurations systematically for optimal control and submission entries

Top vs Bottom

VariantBottom RiskTop RiskBottom EnergyTop EnergyKey Difference
Rubber GuardMediumHighMediumMediumHigh flexibility for arm control
Mission ControlMediumHighMediumHighHigh guard trades base for submission proximity
New YorkMediumHighMediumHighHigh-risk control trading stability for attacks
New York ControlMediumHighMediumMediumExtreme flexibility enables submission access
Invisible CollarHighLow to MediumHighMediumDeceptive grip hides submission threat
ZombieMediumMediumMediumMediumLockdown transforms defensive turtle into offense
Crackhead ControlHighMedium to HighMediumHighDeep overhook trades safety for submissions
MeathookMediumHighHighHighExtreme arm isolation for devastating attacks
Chill DogMediumLow to MediumMediumMediumCompact turtle defense with escape options
CarniMediumHighMediumHighDynamic leg control trades static security

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Establish and maintain strong posture control through leg pressure on trapped arm

  • Create high guard position using extreme hip flexibility and proper bridging mechanics

  • Use leg positioning to isolate and control opponent’s arm while preventing posture recovery

  • Maintain proper shoulder and neck alignment to prevent injury during leg elevation

  • Apply systematic progression through named positions rather than random technique selection

  • Coordinate grip configurations systematically for optimal control and submission entries

  • Manage energy expenditure through efficient tension application rather than constant maximum pressure

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Insufficient flexibility attempting position too early in development

    • Consequence: Inability to achieve proper leg height, loss of control, potential injury to hip or hamstring, failure to isolate opponent’s arm effectively
    • ✅ Correction: Develop flexibility systematically through dedicated stretching program before implementing Rubber Guard in live training. Use progressive resistance drills starting from static holds and gradually increasing range of motion over weeks or months

  • ❌ Poor shoulder positioning with head too far back or neck hyperextended

    • Consequence: Excessive strain on cervical spine, vulnerability to stacking pressure, loss of posture control, difficulty maintaining leg grip, increased injury risk
    • ✅ Correction: Keep chin tucked and shoulders rounded forward, maintaining C-curve in spine. Use opposite hand to pull opponent’s head down actively while keeping own head position neutral and protected

  • ❌ Inadequate closed guard foundation before learning Rubber Guard

    • Consequence: Poor understanding of basic guard retention principles, inability to troubleshoot position effectively, missing fundamental posture control concepts
    • ✅ Correction: Master closed guard fundamentals first including posture breaking, hip movement, and basic submissions before adding Rubber Guard complexity. Ensure solid understanding of guard retention mechanics

  • ❌ Overreliance on leg strength instead of proper positioning

    • Consequence: Rapid fatigue, inability to maintain position long-term, opponent easily recovers posture, missed submission opportunities due to poor control
    • ✅ Correction: Focus on structural positioning and leverage rather than muscular force. Use hip elevation and proper angles to create mechanical advantage. Apply pressure in bursts rather than constant maximum tension

  • ❌ Neglecting proper grip sequences and jumping randomly between positions

    • Consequence: Telegraphed attacks, easy defenses for experienced opponents, loss of positional control, failure to progress through system effectively
    • ✅ Correction: Learn systematic progression through named positions (Mission Control → New York → Invisible Collar). Understand specific grip requirements for each transition and follow logical sequences based on opponent’s reactions

  • ❌ Failing to control opponent’s free hand allowing defensive frames

    • Consequence: Opponent creates space and recovers posture, escapes Rubber Guard entirely, prevents submission attempts, turns position into stalemate
    • ✅ Correction: Actively manage opponent’s free hand with grips, overhooks, or positioning. Use opposite hand to control wrist, elbow, or head depending on specific sub-position being utilized

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Prevent initial leg elevation by maintaining strong posture and tight elbow positioning in closed guard

  • Create frames with free hand to prevent advancement through positional hierarchy

  • Extract trapped arm systematically without creating space for submission entries

  • Recognize submission threats from each Rubber Guard variation to apply appropriate defenses

  • Manage energy carefully avoiding aggressive movements that trigger submission opportunities

  • Focus on recovering posture before attempting guard opening or passing sequences

  • Use weight distribution and base management to resist stacking attempts and maintain stability

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Pulling trapped arm aggressively straight back without addressing leg control

    • Consequence: Opens direct pathway to triangle choke, increases leg pressure making arm extraction more difficult, telegraphs escape attempt allowing bottom player to transition
    • ✅ Correction: Address leg control first by using free hand to create frames and reduce leg pressure. Extract arm gradually using circular motion rather than straight pull while maintaining base and posture

  • ❌ Sitting back to create distance without controlling opponent’s hips

    • Consequence: Allows bottom player to extend and establish triangle lock, creates space for omoplata entry, loses remaining positional control entirely
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain forward pressure and control opponent’s hips with free hand. Create distance systematically only after establishing control points that prevent submission extensions

  • ❌ Driving forward aggressively without proper base management

    • Consequence: Susceptibility to omoplata entries and back-taking sequences, potential for sweep as forward momentum is redirected, increased vulnerability to gogoplata from certain positions
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain wide base and low center of gravity when applying forward pressure. Drive with controlled force while keeping free hand posted to prevent rotational submissions

  • ❌ Neglecting to defend free hand allowing additional control points

    • Consequence: Bottom player achieves superior grip configurations enabling progression through system positions, submission entries become significantly easier, escape difficulty increases exponentially
    • ✅ Correction: Keep free hand active creating frames, posting, and preventing grips. Never allow both arms to be controlled simultaneously as this removes all defensive options

  • ❌ Attempting stack pass without understanding omoplata counter

    • Consequence: Direct entry to omoplata control with back-taking opportunity, shoulder injury risk if opponent is skilled at finishing, loss of top position entirely
    • ✅ Correction: Learn proper stacking mechanics that include keeping trapped arm tight to body and using shoulder pressure to prevent rotation. Understand when stacking is viable versus when alternative escapes are necessary

  • ❌ Panicking and using excessive muscular force without technical understanding

    • Consequence: Rapid fatigue while remaining in compromised position, increased injury risk to own shoulder and neck, creation of jerky movements that trigger submission opportunities
    • ✅ Correction: Remain calm and apply systematic defensive protocol. Use leverage and positioning rather than pure strength. Conserve energy for sustained defensive effort rather than explosive bursts