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Worm Guard Variations Bottom | BJJ Position Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202515 min read

Worm Guard Variations Bottom

bjjstateguardopen-guardlapel-guardwormvariationsadvanced

State Properties

  • State ID: S223
  • Point Value: 0 (Neutral)
  • Position Type: Offensive
  • Risk Level: Medium-High
  • Energy Cost: Medium-High
  • Time Sustainability: Short-Medium

State Description

Worm Guard Variations represent the advanced evolution of Keenan Cornelius’s lapel guard system, including positions like squid guard (inverted worm with lapel over shoulder), ringworm (both legs threaded with lapel), and various hybrid configurations combining worm control with other guard elements. These variations expand the attacking potential beyond standard worm guard while introducing additional complexity and technical requirements.

These advanced positions typically offer even greater control than standard worm guard but require superior flexibility, timing, and technical understanding. Squid guard, for example, involves inverting your body while maintaining the lapel-through-leg connection and bringing the lapel over your opponent’s shoulder, creating a control system that is nearly impossible to pass without specific technical knowledge. Ringworm involves threading both legs with the lapel, creating bilateral control that severely restricts opponent movement.

The variations excel at shutting down opponent’s passing attempts entirely, forcing them into very limited options that you can predict and counter. However, they also tend to be more energy-intensive and complex to maintain than standard worm guard, making them best suited for specific tactical situations rather than extended positional battles. The learning curve for these variations is extremely steep, representing some of the most technically complex guard positions in modern BJJ.

Visual Description

Your body configuration varies dramatically depending on the specific worm variation employed. In squid guard, you may be partially inverted with the opponent’s lapel threaded through their leg and wrapped over their same-side shoulder, creating a diagonal constraint that controls both their upper and lower body simultaneously while your own body is rotated. In ringworm, both your legs thread through the lapel material in a complex weave that creates bilateral leg control, with your feet hooking behind both their knees or thighs while the lapel creates a closed-loop system that is extremely difficult to escape. In inverted worm attacks, you may be rolled onto your shoulders with the lapel control maintained through the inversion, creating unique back take angles. Your hands work constantly to maintain crucial grips—lapel material, sleeve controls, collar grips, and pants grips depending on the variation. Your core engages heavily to maintain body positioning and generate the off-balancing forces necessary for sweeps and back takes. The variations create profoundly uncomfortable and unfamiliar positions for your opponent, with control mechanisms they likely haven’t encountered before.

Key Principles

  • Advanced Lapel Weave Mastery: Maintain complex multi-point lapel configurations through dynamic movements and opponent’s resistance
  • Flexibility Prerequisite Critical: Most variations require exceptional hip, shoulder, and spine flexibility to execute safely and effectively
  • Systematic Position Progression: Understand how to flow between worm, squid, ringworm, and other variations based on opponent reactions
  • Predictive Counter Strategy Advanced: Each variation forces opponent into even more limited options than standard worm; learn to read and counter these
  • Energy Investment Justified: Use high-energy variations when reward is clear (sweep to mount, back take), not for extended positional holding
  • Technical Precision Essential: Small technical errors in variations lead to immediate position collapse; precision is non-negotiable
  • Competition Context Awareness: Reserve advanced variations for competition against unfamiliar opponents; may be countered by training partners

Offensive Transitions

From this position, you can execute:

Sweeps (Squid Guard Variation)

  • Squid Guard Sweep → Back Control or Mount (Success Rate: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 65%)

    • Use squid control to create powerful off-balancing sweep, often directly to back

  • Inverted Squid Sweep → Back Control (Success Rate: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 60%)

    • Roll through inverted position while maintaining lapel control for back take

Sweeps (Ringworm Variation)

Back Takes

Position Transitions

Submissions

Defensive Responses

When opponent has this position against you, available counters:

Decision Tree

If squid guard is established:

Else if ringworm is established:

Else if inverted worm variation is established:

Else if opponent attempts to counter variation:

Else (variation is compromised or unstable):

Expert Insights

John Danaher: “Worm guard variations represent the cutting edge of guard technology, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with gi control. The squid guard, in particular, is mechanically fascinating—it creates a triple-point control system where the opponent’s shoulder, arm, and leg are all constrained simultaneously through a single lapel. However, these positions are not for everyone. They require exceptional body control, flexibility, and technical precision. I view them as specialist tools for advanced practitioners who have already mastered fundamental guard systems. The investment of time to become proficient in these variations is substantial, but for gi competitors willing to make that investment, they provide a significant competitive advantage.”

Gordon Ryan: “I’ve trained with Keenan extensively and I respect the worm variations immensely, even though I don’t use them in no-gi. What I’ve learned from studying these positions is the principle of creating novel control systems that your opponent hasn’t prepared for. In competition, if you can put someone in a position they’ve never experienced, you have a huge advantage. The worm variations do exactly that—they’re so unusual that even high-level black belts struggle when they first encounter them. If I were competing gi at the highest level, I would absolutely invest serious time in learning squid guard and ringworm because the return on investment for competition purposes is massive.”

Eddie Bravo: “Keenan’s worm guard variations are brilliant innovations that show BJJ is still evolving rapidly. What I love about these positions is the creative problem-solving—he looked at the gi and asked ‘what else can I do with this?’ and came up with entirely new systems. That’s the spirit of innovation. While I focus on no-gi, the mindset of constantly pushing boundaries and creating new positions is universal. In 10th Planet, we’ve developed our own complex systems like the truck and lockdown that similarly create unfamiliar positions for opponents. The principle is the same: create discomfort and confusion through novel positional structures.”

Common Errors

Error: Attempting variations without mastering standard worm guard

  • Consequence: Building on weak foundation leads to ineffective variations that collapse under pressure. Without solid worm guard fundamentals, variations become extremely vulnerable.
  • Correction: Achieve proficiency in standard worm guard before attempting squid, ringworm, or other variations. Ensure you can maintain and attack from basic worm consistently against resistant opponents.
  • Recognition: If your standard worm guard is frequently passed, attempting variations will only create more problems. Build from foundation upward.

Error: Insufficient flexibility for safe execution

  • Consequence: Risk of serious injury, particularly to hips, spine, and shoulders when forcing body into positions it cannot safely achieve. Squid guard especially requires exceptional flexibility.
  • Correction: Dedicate months to flexibility training before attempting advanced variations. Work with experienced coach to assess flexibility readiness. Use progressive approach starting with easier variations.
  • Recognition: If you feel sharp pain, joint instability, or inability to maintain position comfortably, you lack required flexibility. Should feel challenging but sustainable.

Error: Static maintenance of high-energy variations

  • Consequence: Rapid energy depletion makes you vulnerable throughout entire match. Holding squid or ringworm statically is extremely taxing and provides diminishing returns.
  • Correction: Use variations as brief attack positions, not static holds. Enter variation, immediately attack (back take, sweep), then transition to lower-energy position. Maximum 10-15 seconds in highest-energy variations.
  • Recognition: If you’re exhausted after maintaining variation, you’re holding too long. Variations should be explosive moments leading to position advancement.

Error: Poor lapel configuration in complex weaves

  • Consequence: Incorrect lapel threading in ringworm or squid creates false control that collapses, potentially causing guard pass or worse positions. Complex weaves are unforgiving of technical errors.
  • Correction: Study instructional material meticulously, practice with experienced training partner who knows correct configuration, verify setup with coach before applying resistance. Precision is essential.
  • Recognition: If “advanced variation” is easily escaped, your configuration is likely wrong. Proper variations should create significant control even against knowledgeable opponents.

Error: Failure to recognize when variation is being successfully countered

  • Consequence: Stubbornly maintaining compromised variation leads to guard pass. Missing early warning signs of effective counter results in defensive position.
  • Correction: Develop sensitivity to recognize when opponent knows specific counters to your variation. Have planned exits and transitions. Transition early when counter is working, not after it’s succeeded.
  • Recognition: If experienced opponents consistently counter your variation with same technique, they know the counter. Should adapt and use variation more selectively.

Error: Overuse of same variation making it predictable

  • Consequence: Training partners and competitors prepare specific counters, reducing effectiveness. Becomes liability rather than advantage.
  • Correction: Develop proficiency across multiple variations. Mix usage unpredictably. Use variation selection based on opponent’s weaknesses and familiarity, not personal preference alone.
  • Recognition: If opponents consistently defend your favorite variation, you’re overusing it. Should maintain element of surprise.

Error: Attempting variations in inappropriate competitive contexts

  • Consequence: Using complex variations against opponents who train with you regularly or who are variation specialists can backfire, as they know counters. Better saved for unfamiliar competition opponents.
  • Correction: Use variations strategically in competition against opponents unlikely to have trained them. In gym rolling, mix them with other guards. Save best variations for important competitions.
  • Recognition: If gym training partners pass your variations easily but competition opponents struggle, you’re using them appropriately. Adjust usage based on context.

Training Drills

Drill 1: Variation Entry Progressions

Start from standard worm guard, practice transitioning into each major variation (squid, ringworm, inverted variations) with partner at 0% resistance initially. Focus on precise lapel configuration and body positioning for each. Partner provides feedback on setup quality. Progress slowly to 25%, then 50% resistance over multiple training sessions. Emphasize smooth entries that maintain control and don’t expose you to passes during transition. 5 minutes per variation type, 3 rounds each, with extensive rest and video review. Goal is technically perfect entries before adding resistance.

Drill 2: Variation-Specific Attack Chains

With specific variation established (rotate through variations), practice immediate attack sequences unique to that variation (start 0% resistance for pattern learning). For squid: back takes and specific squid sweeps. For ringworm: bilateral sweeps and stand-ups. For inverted: rolling attacks and back exposures. Partner gradually increases resistance (25%, 50%, 75%) as you master attack patterns. Focus on explosive execution and clear finish. 3 minutes per variation-attack combination, 6-8 rounds total, building automatic responses.

Drill 3: Flexibility and Mobility Specific Training

Dedicated training for variation-specific flexibility: for squid guard—inverted flexibility, shoulder mobility, hip flexibility in inverted positions. For ringworm—bilateral hip flexibility, seated splits progressions, complex leg threading patterns. Spend 20 minutes on flexibility work specific to your target variation, followed by 10 minutes of position-specific movement drills without opponent. Partner-assisted stretching for positions. Perform 4-5 times per week separate from live training. Track flexibility progress weekly.

Drill 4: Variation Defense and Flow System

Partner attempts variation-specific counters (different for each variation) while you practice early recognition and flowing to different variation or simpler position (50% resistance). For example: if squid is being countered with specific technique, flow to ringworm or back to standard worm. Goal is fluid adaptation across entire worm guard family. Partner increases to 75% intensity as your transitions improve. 4 minute rounds, 5 rounds, with coaching on reading defensive cues and making early transition decisions.

Drill 5: Competition Simulation with Variations

Start from standing or other realistic entry (not pre-established variation), work to establish variation under resistance, then execute attack or transition (75-90% intensity). Partner resists realistically but doesn’t counter with specific anti-variation techniques you’re drilling. Focus on complete sequence: entry, control maintenance, attack execution, transition decision-making. 5-6 minute rounds, 4-5 rounds, with coaching feedback on variation selection, timing, and attack success. Build competition-realistic application.

Optimal Submission Paths

Highest-percentage path (back take emphasis): Worm Guard Variations Bottom → Squid to Back → Back Control → Body Triangle → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission Reasoning: Squid guard specifically designed for back access. Taking back provides highest percentage submissions. Most reliable path from variations.

Sweep to dominance path: Worm Guard Variations Bottom → Squid Guard Sweep → Mount → Mounted Submissions → Won by Submission Reasoning: Powerful sweep from squid to mount, then submit from most dominant position. Reliable systematic approach.

Alternative back take path (ringworm): Worm Guard Variations Bottom → Ringworm Back Exposure → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission Reasoning: Ringworm creates different angle for back exposure. Alternative when squid is countered or unavailable.

Direct submission path (risky): Worm Guard Variations Bottom → Triangle from Squid → Triangle Control → Triangle Finish → Won by Submission Reasoning: Direct submission from variation position. Higher risk but faster. Requires opponent’s forward commitment.

Inverted attack path: Worm Guard Variations Bottom → Inverted Worm Variations Back Take → Back Control → Back Mount → Submission Chain → Won by Submission Reasoning: Use inverted positions to access back, advance to back mount, then systematic submission. Shows advanced position flow.

Position Metrics

  • Position Retention Rate: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 80%
  • Advancement Probability: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 60%
  • Submission Probability: Beginner 15%, Intermediate 25%, Advanced 40%
  • Position Loss Probability: Beginner 55%, Intermediate 35%, Advanced 18%
  • Average Time in Position: 30 seconds - 1 minute (brief high-intensity attack positions)

Graph View

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