Spider Guard Bottom

Spider Guard Bottom is a fundamental gi-based open guard position where the bottom practitioner controls the opponent’s sleeves with their grips while using their feet against the opponent’s biceps or hips to create distance and control. This position is characterized by active foot placement on the opponent’s arms, extended legs creating mechanical advantage, and strong collar or sleeve grips that prevent the opponent from establishing dominant posture. The guard creates a web-like control system that makes passing extremely difficult while offering numerous sweep and submission opportunities. Spider Guard is one of the most versatile positions in gi jiu-jitsu, allowing the bottom player to control distance, create angles, and launch attacks while maintaining a strong defensive framework. The position excels at neutralizing pressure passing attempts and creating opportunities for transitions to other guard variations or direct attacks.

Position Definition

• Bottom practitioner is on their back with at least one foot actively placed against opponent’s bicep, arm, or hip creating extension and distance control through the leg
• Strong grip control on opponent’s sleeves (double sleeve grip) or collar and sleeve combination, with grips maintained at or above opponent’s elbows for maximum control leverage
• Top practitioner is in standing or combat base position, facing the bottom player with their posture disrupted by foot pressure and grip control preventing forward advancement
• Bottom practitioner’s hips are mobile and off the ground, allowing for angle creation and guard retention through hip movement and leg extension adjustments

Prerequisites

• Opponent in standing or combat base position within guard range
• Successful establishment of sleeve grip controls on opponent’s arms
• Ability to place at least one foot against opponent’s bicep or hip
• Sufficient space to extend legs and create distance
• Active hip mobility to maintain guard position

Key Defensive Principles

• Maintain constant tension through extended legs pressing against opponent’s arms to prevent forward pressure and passing attempts
• Keep grips tight on sleeves or collar to control opponent’s posture and prevent grip breaks
• Use hip movement and angle creation to set up sweeps and prevent guard passes
• Balance extension with the ability to retract legs quickly for transitions to other guards
• Control distance through foot placement - biceps for maximum extension, hips for closer control
• Create constant dilemmas for opponent between defending sweeps and maintaining posture
• Combine foot pressure with grip control to break opponent’s balance and create sweep opportunities

Available Escapes

Triangle Setup → Triangle Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 25%
• Intermediate: 40%
• Advanced: 55%

Omoplata Sweep → Omoplata Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 30%
• Intermediate: 45%
• Advanced: 60%

Spider Guard Sweeps → Mount

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 35%
• Intermediate: 50%
• Advanced: 65%

Lasso Guard Sweeps → Side Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 30%
• Intermediate: 45%
• Advanced: 60%

De La Riva Sweep → Back Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 25%
• Intermediate: 40%
• Advanced: 55%

Scissor Sweep → Mount

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 35%
• Intermediate: 50%
• Advanced: 65%

Armbar from Guard → Armbar Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 20%
• Intermediate: 35%
• Advanced: 50%

Spider Guard to Omoplata → Omoplata Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 30%
• Intermediate: 45%
• Advanced: 60%

Opponent Counters

• Spider Guard Pass → Side Control (Opponent Success: 40%)
• Knee Cut Pass → Side Control (Opponent Success: 45%)
• Toreando Pass → Side Control (Opponent Success: 50%)
• Stack Pass → Mount (Opponent Success: 35%)
• Grip Break → Open Guard (Opponent Success: 55%)

Counter-Attacks

• Lasso Guard Sweeps → Side Control
  • Opponent attempts to stack or step around guard
• Triangle Setup → Triangle Control
  • Opponent postures up and extends arms to break grips
• Omoplata Sweep → Omoplata Control
  • Opponent pulls arm back to break sleeve grip
• De La Riva Sweep → Back Control
  • Opponent shifts weight to pass on one side

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent stands upright with extended posture trying to break grips:

• Execute Triangle Setup → Triangle Control (Probability: 55%)
• Execute Omoplata Sweep → Omoplata Control (Probability: 60%)

Else if opponent drives forward with low posture attempting pressure pass:

• Execute Lasso Guard Sweeps → Side Control (Probability: 65%)
• Execute Scissor Sweep → Mount (Probability: 60%)

Else if opponent steps to side attempting toreando or knee cut pass:

• Execute De La Riva Sweep → Back Control (Probability: 55%)
• Execute Spider Guard Sweeps → Mount (Probability: 60%)

Else if opponent secures strong grips and controls distance effectively:

• Execute Guard Recovery → Closed Guard (Probability: 50%)
• Execute Shin to Shin Pull → Single Leg X-Guard (Probability: 45%)

Common Defensive Mistakes

1. Allowing legs to bend and lose extension pressure on opponent’s arms

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent can drive forward pressure and establish passing position
• ✅ Correction: Maintain constant leg extension with active foot pressure against biceps or hips, keeping legs straight and creating distance

2. Gripping too low on opponent’s sleeves or wrists instead of upper sleeve

• ❌ Consequence: Weak control that allows opponent to strip grips and advance position
• ✅ Correction: Establish grips at or above opponent’s elbows for maximum leverage and control, using deep four-finger sleeve grips

3. Keeping hips flat on the mat without active movement

• ❌ Consequence: Limited ability to create angles for sweeps and vulnerability to stack passes
• ✅ Correction: Keep hips elevated and mobile, constantly adjusting angles and using hip movement to set up attacks and prevent passes

4. Using both feet on same side creating imbalanced control

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent can easily circulate around uncontrolled side to pass guard
• ✅ Correction: Distribute feet strategically - one on each arm for maximum control, or one bicep and one hip for varied pressure

5. Failing to transition when opponent secures strong grips or begins breaking guard

• ❌ Consequence: Guard gets passed as opponent establishes dominant grips and posture
• ✅ Correction: Recognize grip fighting disadvantage early and transition to closed guard, lasso, or other guard variation before position is compromised

6. Over-committing to sweeps without securing proper grips first

• ❌ Consequence: Failed sweep attempts that leave guard vulnerable to passes
• ✅ Correction: Establish strong grip and foot control before initiating sweeps, ensuring proper setup and timing

Training Drills for Defense

Spider Guard Retention Drill

Partner attempts to pass spider guard using various methods while you maintain position, focusing on hip movement, grip retention, and foot placement. Start with 50% resistance and gradually increase intensity. Goal is to maintain spider guard for 2-minute rounds.

Sweep Chain Combinations

Flow through spider guard sweep sequences - balloon sweep to triangle to omoplata. Partner provides graduated resistance. Practice transitioning between sweeps based on opponent’s reactions. Perform 10 repetitions per combination, alternating sides.

Grip Fighting from Spider Guard

Partner attempts to break your grips while you maintain sleeve control and re-establish grips when broken. Focus on grip strength, grip replacement strategies, and maintaining foot pressure even during grip transitions. 3-minute rounds with 30-second rest.

Dynamic Guard Recovery

Start with compromised spider guard position (weak grips or poor foot placement). Practice recovering optimal position through hip movement, grip fighting, and foot repositioning. Partner applies moderate pressure. 5 rounds of 1 minute each.

Escape and Survival Paths

Shortest path to Triangle

Spider Guard Bottom → Triangle Setup → Triangle Control → Triangle Choke

High-percentage Omoplata path

Spider Guard Bottom → Omoplata Sweep → Omoplata Control → Omoplata

Armbar sequence

Spider Guard Bottom → Armbar from Guard → Armbar Control → Armbar Finish

Sweep to submission path

Spider Guard Bottom → Scissor Sweep → Mount → Armbar from Mount

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill Level	Retention Rate	Advancement Probability	Submission Probability
Beginner	40%	30%	20%
Intermediate	60%	45%	35%
Advanced	75%	60%	50%

Average Time in Position: 1-3 minutes depending on skill level and opponent’s passing strategy

Related Positions and Techniques

• Lasso Guard - Common variation where one leg wraps over opponent’s shoulder for enhanced control
• Open Guard - Parent category that includes spider guard as specific variation
• De La Riva Guard - Complementary guard that works well in combination with spider guard
• Collar Sleeve Guard - Similar guard variation using collar and sleeve grips instead of double sleeve
• Triangle Control - Primary submission target from spider guard attacks
• Omoplata Control - High-percentage submission and sweep option from spider guard
• X-Guard - Guard variation that can be transitioned to from spider guard
• Closed Guard - Fallback defensive position when spider guard is compromised
• Sleeve Control - Fundamental concept critical for spider guard effectiveness
• Grip Fighting - Essential skill for establishing and maintaining spider guard control