10th Planet Rubber Guard System is a advanced difficulty Guard System system. Integrates 6 components.
System ID: System Type: Guard System Difficulty Level: Advanced
What is 10th Planet Rubber Guard System?
The 10th Planet Rubber Guard System represents one of the most innovative and controversial developments in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Created by Eddie Bravo, this comprehensive guard framework leverages extreme flexibility and unconventional positioning to control opponents and create submission opportunities from closed guard. The system centers around using your legs to break posture and control your opponent’s upper body while freeing your hands to attack or defend. Unlike traditional closed guard systems that rely on gi grips, the Rubber Guard was specifically designed for no-gi competition where conventional controls are less effective. The core innovation lies in using your leg as a substitute for collar control, wrapping it around the opponent’s head and shoulder to break their posture while simultaneously preventing them from establishing base. This creates a unique control position from which multiple submission paths and sweeps become available. The system progresses through named control positions—Mission Control, New York, Chill Dog, Meathook—each serving as a checkpoint in the overall framework and each offering distinct offensive opportunities.
Core Principles
- Use leg flexibility to replace traditional gi grips in no-gi scenarios
- Break and maintain broken posture through leg-based controls
- Create submission chains where defensive responses open new attacks
- Progress through named control positions as checkpoints in the system
- Combine high guard retention with offensive threat creation
- Utilize opponent’s defensive reactions to advance position
- Maintain constant offensive pressure to prevent posture recovery
Key Components
Mission Control (Establish primary control and posture break) The foundational control position where your shin is across the opponent’s back with your foot hooked behind their head, breaking their posture forward. This position allows you to control their upper body while freeing both hands to attack or establish further controls. From Mission Control, you can transition to various submission attacks or advance to tighter control positions like New York.
New York (Create maximum control and submission opportunity) An advanced control position reached from Mission Control by grabbing your own shin or ankle, creating an extremely tight lock that prevents the opponent from posturing up. This position significantly limits the opponent’s ability to escape while opening pathways to submissions like the Gogoplata and transitions to the back. The tight control of New York makes it one of the highest percentage positions in the system.
Chill Dog (Set up triangle and armbar submissions) A control position that serves as a gateway to various submissions, particularly triangles and armbars. In Chill Dog, you maintain the high guard position while controlling the opponent’s arm across their body, creating angles for attacks. This position excels at creating submission dilemmas where defending one attack opens another.
Meathook (Transition platform for multiple submission paths) A transitional control where your leg hooks deeply behind the opponent’s head while you control their arm, setting up the path to various submissions including the Omoplata and Triangle. The Meathook position is characterized by deep hip control and arm isolation, making it particularly effective against opponents trying to defend submission attempts from other Rubber Guard positions.
Invisible Collar (No-gi substitute for collar control mechanics) A control position that mimics traditional gi collar control using your shin pressed against the opponent’s neck and shoulder. This creates similar control effects to a collar grip without requiring fabric, making it ideal for no-gi applications. The Invisible Collar position maintains posture break while allowing hand freedom for attacks or additional controls.
Submission Chain Framework (Maintain constant offensive threat through connected attacks) The systematic connection of submission attempts where defending one attack directly opens the path to another. In the Rubber Guard system, failed Triangle attempts transition to Omoplatas, defended Omoplatas open Gogoplatas, and escaped Gogoplatas create back take opportunities. This creates a continuous offensive cycle that pressures opponents into making mistakes.
Implementation Sequence
- Entry and Initial Control: From closed guard, establish high guard by walking your hips up the opponent’s torso while breaking their posture forward. Secure an overhook on one arm and begin raising your opposite leg toward their head. Key points:
- Break posture before attempting leg placement
- Control one arm to prevent posting
- Walk hips up incrementally rather than attempting single large movement
- Maintain tight connection throughout the climb
- Mission Control Establishment: Continue raising your leg until your shin crosses behind the opponent’s head with your foot hooking near their far shoulder. Secure your ankle or shin with your hand to lock the position. This is Mission Control, your base camp in the system. Key points:
- Ensure shin is high on the back, not just on shoulder
- Hook foot deeply to prevent easy escape
- Free your overhook hand once leg control is secured
- Test the control by attempting small posture breaks
- Position Advancement: From Mission Control, progress to tighter controls based on opponent reactions. If they remain stationary, advance to New York by grabbing your own shin or ankle with both hands. If they attempt to posture, transition to Chill Dog or Meathook positions. Key points:
- Read opponent’s defensive strategy before advancing
- Each control position serves specific purposes
- Maintain broken posture throughout transitions
- Never sacrifice control for submission attempts prematurely
- Submission Initiation: From established control positions, begin submission sequences. From New York, attack Gogoplatas and arm controls. From Chill Dog, set up Triangles. From Meathook, transition to Omoplatas. Each submission should be part of a chain where defense opens the next attack. Key points:
- Commit fully to first submission attempt
- Recognize defensive patterns that signal transition points
- Maintain leg control even during submission attempts
- Flow between submissions without resetting to neutral
- Chain Progression and Back Takes: When submissions are defended, use the opponent’s defensive movements to progress through the submission chain or transition to back control. Failed Triangles open Omoplatas, defended Omoplatas create back take opportunities, and escaped positions return to Mission Control. Key points:
- Never view defended submissions as failures
- Each defense creates specific opening for next attack
- Back takes are often the end result of submission chains
- Maintain offensive pressure throughout the chain
- System Mastery and Adaptation: Develop the ability to enter the system from various guard positions, adapt the controls for different opponent body types, and recognize which pathways are most effective against specific defensive strategies. Master practitioners can flow through the entire system based on real-time opponent reactions. Key points:
- Practice entries from multiple guard variations
- Adapt technique details for flexibility limitations
- Develop pattern recognition for optimal path selection
- Integrate system with other guard frameworks
How to Measure Your Progress
Mission Control Achievement Rate: Percentage of closed guard situations where you successfully establish Mission Control position Proficiency indicators:
- Beginner: 20-30% success rate, often requires multiple attempts
- Intermediate: 50-60% success rate, single attempt entry common
- Advanced: 75%+ success rate, entry from various guard positions
- Expert: 85%+ success rate, entry against resistant high-level opponents
Submission Chain Completion: Ability to flow through multiple submission attempts without losing control or being passed Proficiency indicators:
- Beginner: Can attempt one submission before resetting
- Intermediate: Links 2-3 submissions in sequence before resetting
- Advanced: Completes full chains of 4+ submissions or achieves finish
- Expert: Continuously cycles through chains until finish or back take
Position Transition Fluidity: Smoothness and control maintained when moving between Rubber Guard positions Proficiency indicators:
- Beginner: Transitions are deliberate and slow, sometimes losing control
- Intermediate: Smooth transitions between 2-3 positions, occasional control lapses
- Advanced: Fluid movement through all positions, rarely loses control
- Expert: Seamless transitions appear effortless, perfect control maintenance
System Application Versatility: Range of situations and opponent types where you can effectively apply the system Proficiency indicators:
- Beginner: Only against cooperative or similar-sized opponents
- Intermediate: Against resistant opponents of similar skill level
- Advanced: Against higher belts and various body types
- Expert: Successfully applies against elite competitors regardless of style
Expert Insights
- John Danaher: The Rubber Guard system represents a fascinating case study in biomechanical innovation within Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. While it diverges significantly from traditional guard frameworks, its underlying principles remain sound: establish control, break opponent structure, and create offensive opportunities. The system’s genius lies in using the leg as a multipurpose tool—simultaneously breaking posture, controlling position, and freeing the hands for attacks. However, the system’s effectiveness is heavily dependent on individual physical attributes, particularly hip flexibility and leg length relative to torso length. For practitioners who possess the requisite physical tools, it offers legitimate pathways to submissions and positions that are difficult to defend using conventional methods. The submission chain structure mirrors the defensive dilemma concept found in all high-level attacking systems: each defensive option opens a new attack, creating a perpetual offensive cycle. The critical limitation is that unlike systems built around fundamental mechanical advantages, the Rubber Guard requires specific physical attributes that not all practitioners possess. Therefore, while it deserves study and can be devastatingly effective for suited practitioners, it should be viewed as a specialized tool rather than a universal solution.
- Gordon Ryan: The Rubber Guard has proven effectiveness at the highest levels of no-gi competition, but its application requires honest assessment of your physical capabilities and strategic context. In my experience, the system works best as a supplementary guard option rather than a primary framework. The positions create legitimate control and submission threats, particularly against opponents unfamiliar with the specific defensive requirements. The Triangle and Omoplata chains from Rubber Guard positions have secured numerous high-level victories. However, the energy expenditure required to maintain these positions, especially Mission Control and New York against explosive athletes, can be prohibitive in longer matches or when facing multiple opponents in tournament formats. The system’s requirement for broken posture means it’s most effective when you can force the opponent to engage in your guard rather than allowing them to establish distance and select their passing approach. Modern guard passing strategies that emphasize distance management and leg attacks can neutralize Rubber Guard entries. My recommendation is to develop competency in the system’s core positions and understand the submission chains, but maintain a broader guard game that includes more universally applicable options. Use Rubber Guard opportunistically when opponent posture and your energy levels align favorably.
- Eddie Bravo: The Rubber Guard system was born from the specific problem of controlling opponents in no-gi situations where traditional gi-based guards lose their effectiveness. When you can’t grab collars or sleeves, you need alternative control mechanisms, and your legs are the strongest tools available. The beauty of this system is that it’s completely counterintuitive to traditional Jiu-Jitsu thinking—you’re using positions that would be considered disadvantageous in gi competition and transforming them into offensive weapons. Mission Control isn’t just a position; it’s a philosophy of aggressive guard play where you’re constantly threatening submissions rather than waiting to react to opponent actions. The named positions serve as landmarks in a complex system, making it teachable and allowing practitioners to communicate about technique precisely. Every position flows into multiple others, creating a web of options rather than linear progressions. The flexibility requirements are real, but they’re achievable with dedicated training—I’ve seen practitioners who started with limited flexibility develop the necessary range through consistent work. The key is understanding that this system rewards commitment and specialization. You can’t dabble in Rubber Guard; you need to live in these positions until they feel more natural than traditional guards. When you reach that level, you possess offensive capabilities that most opponents have never encountered and don’t know how to defend effectively.