BJJ Graph

Williams Guard

Dec 09, 20258 min read

Williams Guard is an innovative open guard position characterized by controlling one of the opponent’s arms in a shoulder lock configuration while maintaining guard structure. Named after creator Roy Williams, this position combines elements of traditional guard retention with unique shoulder manipulation that creates both offensive and defensive opportunities. The practitioner on bottom secures the opponent’s arm in a shoulder lock grip while using their legs to maintain distance and create angles for sweeps and submissions. This guard is particularly effective against opponents who attempt aggressive passing strategies, as it neutralizes their posting ability and creates immediate submission threats.

The position exemplifies the evolution of modern BJJ guard systems by integrating joint manipulation with positional control, forcing opponents into defensive reactions that open sweep opportunities. Williams Guard functions as a control hub from which multiple attacking sequences emerge—the shoulder lock itself serves primarily as a control mechanism rather than a finishing hold, though the submission remains a legitimate threat. Opponents face a mechanical dilemma: defending the shoulder lock opens sweeping opportunities, while attempting to pass guard intensifies submission danger.

From the top perspective, Williams Guard presents significant challenges requiring systematic defensive approach and technical understanding of shoulder lock mechanics. The top practitioner must simultaneously defend submission threats while working to extract their trapped arm and establish guard passing control. Success demands patience, proper joint protection, and recognition of the bottom player’s transition triggers. Understanding both perspectives of this position is essential for modern guard players and passers, as Williams Guard has become increasingly common in contemporary competition grappling, particularly in no-gi contexts where traditional grip-based guards are unavailable.

Key Principles

  • Maintain constant shoulder lock pressure to create submission threat and control opponent movement

  • Use legs actively to create distance and prevent opponent from establishing chest-to-chest pressure

  • Angle hips away from opponent’s free arm while keeping controlled arm isolated

  • Transition between shoulder lock variations based on opponent’s defensive reactions

  • Create sweeping opportunities when opponent attempts to defend shoulder lock

  • From top, protect shoulder joint alignment and extract arm using circular movements

  • Recognize transition triggers and counter offensive attempts before they develop

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeDefensive with offensive optionsDefensive
Risk LevelMediumHigh
Energy CostMediumMedium
TimeMediumShort to Medium

Key Difference: Shoulder lock trades grip retention for submission

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain constant shoulder lock pressure to create submission threat and control opponent’s movement

  • Use legs actively to create distance and prevent opponent from establishing chest-to-chest pressure

  • Angle hips away from opponent’s free arm while keeping controlled arm isolated

  • Transition between shoulder lock variations based on opponent’s defensive reactions

  • Create sweeping opportunities when opponent attempts to defend shoulder lock

  • Maintain grip integrity throughout transitions to prevent opponent from recovering arm

  • Use opponent’s attempts to free their arm as triggers for sweeps and position advancement

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Releasing shoulder lock pressure to adjust grips or leg position

    • Consequence: Opponent immediately recovers their arm and establishes dominant passing position or escapes guard entirely
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant shoulder lock tension throughout all transitions, adjusting legs and hips while keeping arm control as primary focus

  • ❌ Allowing opponent to establish chest-to-chest pressure while maintaining shoulder lock

    • Consequence: Opponent can stack guard despite arm control, leading to guard pass or escape from submission threat
    • ✅ Correction: Use legs actively to create frames and distance, preventing opponent from closing distance while shoulder lock is engaged

  • ❌ Overcommitting to shoulder lock submission without setting up sweeping opportunities

    • Consequence: Opponent defends submission effectively and transitions to passing attack without facing sweep threat
    • ✅ Correction: Use shoulder lock as control mechanism to create sweep openings, transitioning between submission and sweep based on opponent reactions

  • ❌ Failing to angle hips away from opponent’s free arm

    • Consequence: Opponent uses free arm to establish underhook or control that neutralizes shoulder lock effectiveness
    • ✅ Correction: Constantly adjust hip angle to keep controlled arm isolated while positioning body away from opponent’s free arm reach

  • ❌ Gripping with arms only without engaging full body mechanics

    • Consequence: Shoulder lock lacks sufficient pressure and opponent can muscle through defenses or escape relatively easily
    • ✅ Correction: Engage core, hips, and legs to generate shoulder lock pressure, using entire body structure rather than arm strength alone

  • ❌ Holding static Williams Guard position without creating movement or reactions

    • Consequence: Opponent settles into defensive posture and systematically works to extract arm without facing immediate threats
    • ✅ Correction: Create constant movement and pressure variations to force opponent into reactive defensive actions that open sweep and submission chains

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Protect shoulder joint by maintaining proper alignment and preventing full extension or rotation into submission

  • Keep weight distributed on free arm and legs to maintain base while defending shoulder lock

  • Create small, controlled movements to extract trapped arm without triggering sweep or submission transitions

  • Recognize opponent’s transition triggers and counter offensive attempts before they develop

  • Establish head control or upper body pressure when opportunities arise to neutralize guard retention

  • Use circling and angle changes to create arm extraction opportunities while maintaining defensive posture

  • Transition to secure passing positions immediately upon arm extraction to prevent guard re-establishment

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Yanking trapped arm back aggressively to force extraction

    • Consequence: Creates sudden jerking motion that increases shoulder lock pressure and opens immediate armbar or omoplata transitions for opponent
    • ✅ Correction: Extract arm using small, controlled circular movements while maintaining shoulder alignment and protecting joint integrity throughout process

  • ❌ Driving forward with chest pressure while arm is still controlled

    • Consequence: Opponent uses forward pressure to accelerate omoplata rotation or back take transitions, losing position entirely
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain upright posture and work systematically on arm extraction before attempting to establish passing pressure or advance position

  • ❌ Posting free hand on mat near opponent’s hip for base

    • Consequence: Opponent immediately attacks posted arm with triangle setup or uses post as leverage point for sweep execution
    • ✅ Correction: Keep free hand in defensive position near own centerline or use for head control rather than creating vulnerable posting positions

  • ❌ Remaining stationary in Williams Guard Top without creating movement

    • Consequence: Opponent settles into optimal shoulder lock position and systematically increases submission pressure or sets up transitions without resistance
    • ✅ Correction: Create constant small movements and angle changes to disrupt opponent’s control and create arm extraction opportunities continuously

  • ❌ Focusing exclusively on shoulder lock defense while ignoring guard passing objectives

    • Consequence: Successfully defends submission but remains trapped in guard indefinitely, expending energy without advancing position or scoring
    • ✅ Correction: Balance shoulder lock defense with systematic guard passing work, using arm extraction as transition point to immediate passing attacks

  • ❌ Attempting to muscle through shoulder lock using strength rather than technique

    • Consequence: Increases injury risk to own shoulder joint and fatigues arm muscles while opponent maintains control through technical leverage
    • ✅ Correction: Use technical arm extraction methods that address mechanical components of shoulder lock rather than relying on strength or force

  • ❌ Allowing hips to square up directly with opponent’s body

    • Consequence: Opponent optimizes shoulder lock angle and creates easier pathways to omoplata, triangle, and back take transitions
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain angled hip position relative to opponent’s body to reduce shoulder lock effectiveness and limit transition opportunities

  • Butterfly Guard - Foundational position sharing hook-based control mechanics

  • Omoplata Control - Primary transition target from shoulder lock control

  • Triangle Control - Alternative submission control when opponent defends shoulder lock

  • Rubber Guard - Similar arm control and isolation philosophy

  • Overhook Guard - Related arm isolation and control principle

  • X-Guard - Common transition when opponent posts to defend

  • Single Leg X-Guard - Alternative transition when opponent creates distance

  • Open Guard - General guard category containing Williams Guard

  • Back Control - High-value position accessible from Williams Guard transitions

  • Combat Base - Target position after arm extraction from top