Dante Leon Wrestling Up From Guard System

Last updated Sep 08, 2026

Guard System Intermediate difficulty

What is Dante Leon Wrestling Up From Guard System?

The Dante Leon Wrestling Up From Guard System is an independent BJJGraph guide to seated guard decisions, connecting positional control, opponent reactions, and a practical route into offense.

Coming up from guard changes the exchange from moving someone over you to meeting their base with your own. The first challenge is having enough connection to rise without simply following a retreating opponent. The second is keeping useful head and arm position when they resist. This guide concentrates on those two transitions rather than teaching a general standing takedown curriculum.

The course outline connects X-guard and De La Riva with coming-up attacks, then explores reverse De La Riva and butterfly branches. Its common thread is distance and opponent reaction across several starting guards. Wrestling Up From Guard by Dante Leon is the optional instructional companion. The drills, stages, and assessments below are original BJJGraph study suggestions; use the course demonstrations and coaching for the detailed mechanics.

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Wrestling Up From Guard

with Dante Leon

Who it suits: No-gi guard players with basic positional familiarity who want to study seated guard. This is a focused companion rather than a complete beginner curriculum.

The course outline connects X-guard and De La Riva with coming-up attacks, then explores reverse De La Riva and butterfly branches. Its common thread is distance and opponent reaction across several starting guards.

View course & syllabus on BJJ Fanatics

Core Principles

  • A rise needs a useful connection rather than pursuit alone.
  • Read withdrawal differently from forward pressure.
  • Keep head and arm positioning in view while leaving the mat.
  • Use a familiar guard as the launch point.
  • Measure control after rising instead of counting every stand-up as success.
  • Return to guard when the connection no longer supports the attack.

Key Components

Distance decision (Identify whether coming up is supported by the exchange.) Compare an opponent who remains connected with one who withdraws while you prepare to rise.

Guard launch point (Make the transition repeatable enough to troubleshoot.) Choose one X-guard, De La Riva, or butterfly configuration and specify the connection used to rise.

Upper-body continuity (Avoid losing control during the change in height.) Track the head and arm relationship as your base changes from seated to kneeling or standing.

Finish or return (Keep the attack from becoming an unsupported chase.) Continue only while the leg or upper-body connection remains useful, otherwise rebuild guard deliberately.

Implementation Sequence

  1. Choose the launch guard: Pick one familiar guard and define the leg or arm connection you need before coming up.

  2. Test the distance: Let the partner stay close or withdraw so you must choose whether to rise.

  3. Change height under control: Rehearse the first movement onto a supporting base while checking the head and arm relationship.

  4. Add one defensive tie: Have the partner apply a light agreed overhook or frame and study the selected response with a coach.

  5. Complete the exchange: End at stable top control, an agreed leg-control position, or a deliberate guard recovery and explain the choice.

Where to begin in the instructional

Begin with distance management and forced reactions in volume one. Choose one starting guard, then compare its coming-up route with the underhook or butterfly material that supports your next exchange.

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What Challenges Will You Face?

  • The bottom player rises after the opponent has already disengaged.: Rebuild distance and connection instead of treating the stand-up itself as an attack.
  • A useful leg grip remains but the head position collapses.: Isolate the change-of-height phase with a coach before adding the finish.
  • Several starting guards are mixed in one drill.: Choose one launch point until the first lost connection can be identified.
  • A successful rise is followed by an immediate reversal.: Keep the exercise running through the landing and assess top control separately.

How to Measure Your Progress

Distance judgment: Review this specific decision during constrained positional rounds. Proficiency indicators:

  • Stays seated when the connection has disappeared
  • Can identify the contact or reaction that changed this decision.
  • Uses the observation to choose the next focused repetition.

Launch clarity: Review this specific decision during constrained positional rounds. Proficiency indicators:

  • Names the control needed to rise
  • Can identify the contact or reaction that changed this decision.
  • Uses the observation to choose the next focused repetition.

Height transition: Review this specific decision during constrained positional rounds. Proficiency indicators:

  • Preserves head and arm awareness while coming up
  • Can identify the contact or reaction that changed this decision.
  • Uses the observation to choose the next focused repetition.

Exchange completion: Review this specific decision during constrained positional rounds. Proficiency indicators:

  • Distinguishes rising from controlling the result
  • Can identify the contact or reaction that changed this decision.
  • Uses the observation to choose the next focused repetition.

How to Train This System Effectively

Drilling Approach

BJJGraph practice plan: Start from one guard and let the partner either stay connected or withdraw. Rise only when the chosen connection supports it; finish the round at stable top control or a deliberate return to guard. Keep the starting position consistent long enough to compare the same problem across repetitions. Add one defensive option at a time and record the first lost connection rather than only the final result.

Progression Path

Choose the launch guard (Focus: Pick one familiar guard and define the leg or arm connection you need before coming up.) Test the distance (Focus: Let the partner stay close or withdraw so you must choose whether to rise.) Change height under control (Focus: Rehearse the first movement onto a supporting base while checking the head and arm relationship.) Add one defensive tie (Focus: Have the partner apply a light agreed overhook or frame and study the selected response with a coach.)

Common Mistakes

  • The bottom player rises after the opponent has already disengaged.
  • A useful leg grip remains but the head position collapses.
  • Several starting guards are mixed in one drill.

Which Positions, Transitions, and Principles Connect to This System?

  • Seated Guard (Position) - Positional reference for comparing seated guard entries, controls, or recovery destinations.
  • X-Guard (Position) - Positional reference for comparing seated guard entries, controls, or recovery destinations.
  • De La Riva Guard (Position) - Positional reference for comparing seated guard entries, controls, or recovery destinations.
  • Reverse De La Riva Guard (Position) - Positional reference for comparing seated guard entries, controls, or recovery destinations.
  • Butterfly Guard (Position) - Positional reference for comparing seated guard entries, controls, or recovery destinations.
  • Dogfight Position (Position) - Positional reference for comparing seated guard entries, controls, or recovery destinations.
  • Frames (Principle) - Structures that preserve space during the guard exchange.
  • Distance Control (Principle) - Spacing behind the entry and recovery decisions.
  • Base (Principle) - Support to observe before selecting a sweep or coming up.
  • Grips (Principle) - Connections that give the chosen movement its purpose.

Take one idea into your next session

BJJGraph drill: Start from one guard and let the partner either stay connected or withdraw. Rise only when the chosen connection supports it; finish the round at stable top control or a deliberate return to guard.

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