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%
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%)
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
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
Spider guard represents a fundamental principle in guard work - the creation of mechanical advantage through geometric positioning. By placing your feet on the opponent’s biceps while controlling their sleeves, you create a lever system where your legs (the stronger muscle group) oppose their arms (weaker in this context). The critical technical detail is maintaining full leg extension to maximize this mechanical advantage. Many practitioners fail by allowing their knees to bend, which eliminates the structural integrity of the position. The grips must be established at or above the elbows to control the entire arm as a unit. This position exemplifies the concept of distance management in jiu-jitsu - you can extend fully to prevent forward pressure or retract strategically to create angles for sweeps and submissions. The systematic approach to spider guard involves recognizing that every opponent reaction creates a specific opportunity: posturing up opens triangles and omoplatas, driving forward opens balloon sweeps, and lateral movement opens directional sweeps.
Gordon Ryan
Spider guard is one of the highest percentage gi positions for creating sweep opportunities against standing opponents, which is why I used it extensively in my gi competition career. The key to making spider guard work at the highest levels is being extremely aggressive with your attacks - you cannot be passive or the opponent will eventually break your grips and pass. I focus on constant threatening with sweeps, forcing the opponent into defensive reactions that open up submissions. The balloon sweep is my go-to move because it works on everyone regardless of size, and when they defend it, the triangle opens up immediately. In competition, I never hold spider guard statically - I’m always moving my hips, adjusting angles, and threatening attacks to keep the opponent reactive. The worst thing you can do is let them settle into a comfortable posture and start their passing sequence. Against world-class passers, I combine spider guard with lasso and De La Riva grips to create a guard retention system rather than relying on pure spider guard alone.
Eddie Bravo
Spider guard is solid but in no-gi you obviously can’t use it, which is why we developed alternatives in the 10th Planet system. However, when I do train in the gi, I look at spider guard as an entry point to more dynamic positions rather than a place to hang out. The traditional spider guard can become too static, so I like to use it momentarily to set up transitions to rubber guard, omoplata sequences, or to stand up for wrestling. One thing people don’t utilize enough from spider guard is the ability to invert and attack the legs - if you have good grips and the opponent is standing, you can use that control to safely enter leg entanglements. The innovation I bring to spider guard is treating it as a transitional position in a larger system rather than a destination. Also, the bicep control you learn in spider guard translates directly to controlling the arms in rubber guard, so the grip strength and sensitivity you develop transfers between systems. For 10th Planet practitioners training in the gi, I teach spider guard as a way to develop grip fighting skills and understanding of distance control that applies universally.