BJJ Graph

Squid Guard

Dec 09, 20257 min read

Squid Guard is an advanced open guard position that combines elements of De La Riva Guard and Reverse De La Riva Guard with unique lapel control. The bottom player establishes a deep hook behind the opponent’s knee while using the opponent’s lapel to create a powerful control system that restricts the top player’s mobility and posture. This position is characterized by the bottom player’s ability to control distance, break posture, and create angles for sweeps and back takes.

The position derives its name from the tentacle-like control created by the lapel, which wraps around the opponent’s leg or body to create additional points of control beyond traditional guard structures. Squid Guard excels at neutralizing pressure passing attempts and forcing the top player into predictable reactions that can be exploited for offensive transitions. The position requires significant technical understanding of lapel manipulation, hook placement, and timing to be effective.

While Squid Guard is primarily used in gi grappling due to its reliance on lapel grips, the concepts of hook placement and angle creation translate to no-gi variations using overhooks or body positioning. This guard is particularly effective against opponents who rely on heavy pressure or static passing, as the lapel control disrupts their base and the hook placement prevents forward pressure. Advanced practitioners use Squid Guard as a transition hub, moving fluidly to other open guards, sweeps, or back attacks based on the opponent’s defensive reactions.

Key Principles

  • Maintain constant tension on the lapel to restrict opponent’s posture and mobility

  • Use the deep hook to off-balance opponent and prevent them from settling their weight

  • Keep active leg management with the non-hooking leg to control distance and create frames

  • Adjust angle constantly to stay perpendicular or at 45 degrees to opponent’s hips

  • Combine lapel pull with hook extension to create maximum off-balancing effect

  • Use lapel wrapping strategically around opponent’s leg or body to multiply control points

  • Stay ready to transition to other guards or attacks when opponent commits to a direction

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeOffensiveDefensive with offensive options
Risk LevelMediumMedium
Energy CostMediumMedium
TimeMediumMedium

Key Difference: Asymmetrical lapel control bypasses responses

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain constant tension with threading leg to disrupt opponent’s base and prevent them from settling into stable passing position

  • Use non-threading leg actively to control distance and create angles, never allowing it to become passive

  • Coordinate upper body lapel grips with leg movements to create compound control that limits opponent’s options

  • Keep hips mobile and ready to transition, using hip movement to generate sweeping power and adjust angles

  • Recognize opponent’s weight distribution and attack when they commit weight forward or backward

  • Combine off-balancing with lapel and grip control to create sweep opportunities

  • Use asymmetry as advantage by creating unfamiliar angles that bypass opponent’s trained passing responses

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Allowing threading leg to become passive without maintaining constant tension

    • Consequence: Opponent easily extracts their leg and passes to side control, eliminating all guard advantages
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain active tension with threading leg throughout, constantly adjusting pressure to disrupt opponent’s base and prevent extraction

  • ❌ Releasing lapel tension during transitions

    • Consequence: Opponent regains posture and can establish passing pressure or clear the guard entirely
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant tension on the lapel throughout all movements, treating it as a non-negotiable control point that anchors your guard structure

  • ❌ Neglecting upper body grip control and relying solely on leg position

    • Consequence: Opponent achieves dominant grips and uses them to control distance and passing angles, neutralizing leg configurations
    • ✅ Correction: Coordinate upper body grips with leg movements, ensuring at least one strong grip that prevents opponent from establishing their preferred grips

  • ❌ Remaining static in position without creating angles or movement

    • Consequence: Opponent stabilizes their base and systematically breaks down guard structure with methodical passing
    • ✅ Correction: Keep hips mobile and constantly adjust angles, using movement to create off-balancing opportunities and prevent opponent from settling

  • ❌ Overcommitting to sweep attempts without proper setup or timing

    • Consequence: Failed sweep leaves guard open and vulnerable to immediate pass, often resulting in scrambles that favor top player
    • ✅ Correction: Wait for opponent’s weight commitment before initiating sweeps, using grips and leg tension to create clear opportunities rather than forcing attacks

  • ❌ Failing to protect against leg attacks when threading leg is exposed

    • Consequence: Opponent capitalizes on threading leg exposure to enter leg entanglement positions or secure leg locks
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain awareness of threading leg vulnerability and adjust position immediately if opponent shows leg lock threats, transitioning to safer guard variations

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain vertical posture and prevent forward collapse into bottom player’s inverted attack range

  • Control bottom player’s free hand to prevent lapel grip reinforcement or additional entanglement establishment

  • Create systematic lapel clearing sequence before attempting traditional passing mechanics

  • Maintain wide base and weight distribution to prevent off-balancing from lapel tension

  • Time passing entries to moments when bottom player adjusts lapel configuration

  • Prevent bottom player from achieving full inversion or back exposure positions

  • Use pressure and grip fighting to force bottom player into defensive postures before advancing

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Allowing bottom player to achieve full inversion without postural response

    • Consequence: Back exposure and potential back take or submission threats
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain vertical posture and establish heavy crossface or shoulder pressure immediately when bottom player begins inverting

  • ❌ Attempting traditional passing mechanics while lapel remains entangled

    • Consequence: Off-balancing and sweep vulnerability due to lapel tension restricting movement
    • ✅ Correction: Systematically clear lapel entanglement first through unwrapping or grip stripping before initiating passing sequences

  • ❌ Collapsing forward into bottom player’s inverted attack range

    • Consequence: Triangle setups, omoplata entries, and increased back exposure
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain upright posture with base management and use pressure from distance rather than chest-to-chest contact

  • ❌ Ignoring bottom player’s free hand and allowing lapel grip reinforcement

    • Consequence: Deeper entanglement and more complex passing problem
    • ✅ Correction: Control bottom player’s free hand with grip fighting and prevent additional lapel manipulation

  • ❌ Committing to single passing direction without adaptability

    • Consequence: Bottom player can predict and counter with specific sweep or back take
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain multiple passing threats and adapt based on bottom player’s defensive adjustments

  • ❌ Using excessive force without systematic technique

    • Consequence: Energy expenditure and potential injury to joints stressed by lapel tension
    • ✅ Correction: Use methodical lapel clearing sequences combined with pressure and timing rather than pure strength