Granby to Closed Guard

The Granby to Closed Guard is a dynamic defensive recovery technique that uses the Granby roll motion to transition from compromised bottom positions back to closed guard. This technique is essential for practitioners who find themselves in turtle, side control escape scenarios, or other defensive positions where traditional guard recovery methods are unavailable. The movement combines a shoulder roll with hip rotation to create space and redirect momentum, allowing you to insert your legs between you and your opponent to re-establish guard.

The technique is particularly valuable because it works against forward pressure, using the opponent’s weight and momentum against them. When executed properly, the Granby roll creates a brief window where your opponent’s base is compromised, allowing you to thread your legs through and secure closed guard. This recovery method is fundamental to modern BJJ defensive systems and forms the foundation for numerous escape sequences.

Mastery of the Granby to Closed Guard provides practitioners with a reliable escape route from dangerous positions, reducing the effectiveness of common pinning attacks and creating opportunities to return to offensive guard play. The technique requires good body awareness, hip mobility, and timing, but once developed becomes an instinctive defensive reaction that can save matches.

Starting Position: Turtle Ending Position: Closed Guard Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%

Key Principles

• Use shoulder roll mechanics to create rotational momentum and protect your back
• Generate space through hip extension before initiating the roll
• Maintain tight body positioning throughout the movement to prevent back exposure
• Time the roll to coincide with opponent’s forward pressure for maximum effectiveness
• Keep your chin tucked and shoulders rounded to protect neck and spine during rotation
• Use your legs actively to thread through and establish guard frames immediately upon recovery

Prerequisites

• Must be in a bottom position where back is threatened or side control is being established
• Opponent applying forward pressure toward your upper body
• Sufficient space exists to complete a shoulder roll without obstruction
• Your inside shoulder (closest to opponent) is mobile and can initiate the roll
• Hip mobility allows for the rotational movement required
• Arms are not trapped in a position that prevents defensive framing

Execution Steps

1. Create initial space: From bottom turtle or defensive position, explosively extend your hips backward while posting your outside hand on the mat. This hip extension creates the critical space needed to begin your roll and forces your opponent to adjust their base. Your inside arm should be protecting your neck, with your elbow tight to your ribs to prevent opponent from establishing control. (Timing: Execute during opponent’s forward pressure)
2. Initiate shoulder roll: Drop your inside shoulder toward the mat while tucking your chin tightly to your chest. Begin rolling over this shoulder in a diagonal direction, away from your opponent’s pressure. Your head should never touch the mat - the roll occurs across your upper back and shoulders. Keep your body compact by bringing your knees toward your chest as you begin the rotation. (Timing: Immediate follow-up to space creation)
3. Complete the rotation: Continue the rolling motion by driving your outside hip over your body, using momentum to complete the rotation. Your knees should remain tucked toward your chest throughout this phase. As you roll, your outside leg will naturally sweep in an arc over your body. Focus on maintaining a tight, compact body position to prevent your back from being exposed during the vulnerable rotation phase. (Timing: Smooth continuation of the roll)
4. Thread the inside leg: As your rotation brings you toward a supine position, actively extend your inside leg (the one closest to your opponent) between your body and your opponent’s torso. This leg becomes your first guard frame. Your knee should be bent with your foot placed on their hip or inside their thigh, creating an immediate barrier that prevents them from following you through the roll. (Timing: During final phase of rotation)
5. Insert the outside leg: Immediately after threading your inside leg, bring your outside leg over and around your opponent’s back. This leg will hook around their lower back or hip, while your inside leg maintains the hip frame. The combination of these two leg positions creates the foundation for closed guard. Your hands should be actively working to control their collar, sleeve, or posture during this insertion. (Timing: Immediately following inside leg insertion)
6. Close the guard and establish control: Lock your ankles behind your opponent’s back to complete the closed guard. Simultaneously pull them into your guard using collar and sleeve grips, or break their posture by pulling their head down toward your chest. Adjust your hips to center yourself beneath them, ensuring your closed guard is tight and your opponent is within your offensive range. From here you can immediately begin working your guard attacks or sweeps. (Timing: Final securing movement)

Opponent Counters

• Opponent sprawls backward as you begin the roll, maintaining distance (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Adapt by completing the roll into a seated guard position instead, using your legs to create frames and prevent them from passing. You can transition to butterfly guard or continue working for closed guard from the seated position.
• Opponent drives forward aggressively, attempting to flatten you mid-roll (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Use their forward momentum to accelerate your roll, completing it faster than they can follow. The increased pressure actually helps you rotate more quickly. Ensure you thread your inside leg immediately as you complete the rotation to block their forward movement.
• Opponent secures a grip on your leg during the roll, preventing guard closure (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Accept an open guard position temporarily (butterfly, half guard, or single leg X-guard depending on which leg they control). Work to break their grip and recover full closed guard, or transition to attacks from the open guard position you’ve achieved.
• Opponent posts their hand on the mat, creating a barrier that blocks your rotation path (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Roll in the opposite direction or use your legs to sweep their posted arm, removing the barrier. Their posted arm actually compromises their base, making them vulnerable to sweeps or other guard recovery methods.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Rolling directly backward instead of diagonally away from opponent
  • Consequence: This exposes your back to the opponent and allows them to take back control or maintain dominant position. You end up giving them the exact position they were seeking.
  • Correction: Always roll at an angle, moving your shoulders in a diagonal line away from the opponent’s center line. Visualize rolling toward the corner of the mat rather than straight back.
• Mistake: Leaving the body extended during the roll instead of staying compact
  • Consequence: Extended limbs make you vulnerable to submissions, particularly kimuras and armbars. The roll also becomes slower and easier for the opponent to counter.
  • Correction: Keep your knees tucked to your chest, elbows tight to your ribs, and chin tucked throughout the entire rolling motion. Think ‘tight ball’ rather than ‘rolling log’.
• Mistake: Failing to create initial space before beginning the roll
  • Consequence: Without space, the opponent’s weight pins you in place and prevents the rolling motion from generating momentum. You become stuck mid-movement in a highly vulnerable position.
  • Correction: Always initiate with an explosive hip extension to create 6-12 inches of space. This space is non-negotiable for successful execution. If you cannot create space, choose a different escape.
• Mistake: Threading both legs simultaneously instead of sequentially
  • Consequence: This creates a large opening that skilled opponents can exploit to pass your guard or attack your legs. The simultaneous movement also reduces your ability to control the distance.
  • Correction: Always insert inside leg first as a barrier, then bring the outside leg around. This sequential approach maintains defensive frames throughout and prevents guard passing opportunities.
• Mistake: Lifting head during the roll, looking at the opponent
  • Consequence: Lifting your head disrupts the rolling motion, strains your neck, and can result in you rolling directly onto your head rather than your shoulders. This is both ineffective and dangerous.
  • Correction: Keep chin tucked to chest throughout the entire movement. Look at your own belt or knees, never at your opponent. Your head should never touch the mat during a proper Granby roll.
• Mistake: Stopping the rotation before fully completing the movement to guard
  • Consequence: Half-completed rolls leave you on your side or back without proper frames, making you extremely vulnerable to guard passes or submissions. The opponent can easily capitalize on your compromised position.
  • Correction: Commit fully to the rolling motion and immediately establish your leg frames as soon as your rotation allows. The movement should be continuous and fluid from initiation to guard closure.

Training Progressions

Phase 1: Week 1-2 - Movement Mechanics - Learning proper Granby roll mechanics in isolation Practice Granby rolls solo across the mat, focusing on shoulder positioning, head protection, and compact body shape. Start from hands and knees, then progress to rolling from seated and standing positions. Drill 20-30 repetitions daily until the movement becomes natural and smooth. Partner can provide light resistance by placing hand on your hip to simulate pressure. (Resistance: None)

Phase 2: Week 3-4 - Guard Threading - Adding leg insertion mechanics to the roll With a static partner in top position, practice completing the Granby roll and immediately threading your legs to establish guard. Partner remains stationary, allowing you to focus on timing and leg placement. Emphasis on sequential leg threading (inside first, outside second) and immediate guard closure. Drill 15-20 repetitions per training session. (Resistance: Light)

Phase 3: Week 5-8 - Dynamic Application - Executing the technique against moving opponents with moderate resistance Partner applies controlled forward pressure from turtle or side control positions. Practice recognizing the correct timing window and executing the full sequence against their movement. Partner gradually increases pressure and begins attempting basic counters. Focus on creating space, completing the roll, and establishing guard despite their resistance. 10-15 successful repetitions per session. (Resistance: Medium)

Phase 4: Week 9-12 - Counter Recognition - Learning to adapt when opponents counter the technique Partner actively attempts to counter your Granby roll using sprawls, forward drives, and grip control. Practice recognizing which counter they’re using and adapting appropriately (switching to open guard, changing roll direction, etc.). Begin integrating the technique into positional sparring scenarios. 8-10 repetitions against varying counters. (Resistance: Medium)

Phase 5: Month 4+ - Live Integration - Applying the technique in full resistance sparring Use the Granby to Closed Guard in live rolling situations whenever appropriate defensive scenarios arise. Focus on recognizing the correct timing and executing under pressure. Partner offers full resistance and actively works to prevent or counter the technique. Success rate should gradually increase as muscle memory and timing improve through repetition. (Resistance: Full)

Phase 6: Ongoing - Refinement and Variation - Developing variations and improving efficiency Experiment with different entry points (from various bottom positions), develop combination sequences (linking with other escapes), and improve technique efficiency (reducing energy expenditure, increasing speed). Study high-level practitioners executing the technique and identify subtle details that improve success rate. Continue drilling basic mechanics monthly to maintain sharp execution. (Resistance: Full)

Variations

Granby to Butterfly Guard: Instead of closing the guard with locked ankles, keep both feet on the opponent’s hips in butterfly hooks position. This variation is useful when the opponent has a very strong base and closing guard would be difficult. From butterfly, you maintain mobility and can immediately work sweeps. (When to use: Against opponents with excellent base, when you need immediate sweep options, or when opponent is preventing closed guard closure)

Reverse Granby to Half Guard: Roll in the opposite direction (toward the opponent rather than away) while simultaneously inserting your inside leg as a half guard hook. This unorthodox direction often surprises opponents who expect the standard away-direction roll. Particularly effective when the standard Granby is being countered repeatedly. (When to use: When opponent is over-committed to defending the standard Granby direction, or when space constraints prevent the traditional roll)

Standing Granby to Guard Pull: Execute the Granby roll from a standing position (often during scrambles or failed takedown attempts) and complete the rotation into a seated or closed guard position. This variant requires excellent timing and spatial awareness but can be extremely effective in creating guard from standing exchanges. (When to use: During standing exchanges, scrambles, or when opponent is attempting to take you down and you prefer to establish guard)

Double Granby to Closed Guard: Perform two consecutive Granby rolls, using the first to create significant distance and the second to establish optimal positioning for guard insertion. The double roll is particularly useful against aggressive opponents who pursue hard during the first roll, as the second rotation redirects their momentum and creates the space needed for guard. (When to use: Against very aggressive top players who follow closely during your first roll, or when initial space creation is insufficient)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: Why is it critical to create space with hip extension before initiating the Granby roll? A: Creating space before the roll is essential because it provides the physical room needed to complete the rotational movement without being pinned by the opponent’s weight. Without this initial space, the opponent’s pressure will prevent your shoulders from rotating properly, leaving you stuck in a vulnerable position mid-movement. The hip extension also momentarily disrupts the opponent’s base and creates the timing window for successful execution.

Q2: What is the proper sequential order for inserting your legs when establishing closed guard from the Granby roll? A: The inside leg (closest to the opponent) must be threaded first to create an immediate frame and barrier, followed immediately by the outside leg hooking around the opponent’s back. This sequential insertion maintains defensive frames throughout the movement and prevents the opponent from following you through the roll or passing your guard. Threading both legs simultaneously creates gaps that skilled opponents can exploit.

Q3: How should you adapt your Granby to Closed Guard if the opponent sprawls backward as you begin the roll? A: When the opponent sprawls backward, you should complete the roll into a seated guard position rather than attempting to force closed guard. From seated guard, you can establish butterfly hooks, work for closed guard with better positioning, or transition to other open guard systems. Attempting to force closed guard against a sprawled opponent typically results in failed guard establishment and vulnerable positioning.

Q4: What is the biomechanical purpose of keeping your chin tucked and body compact throughout the Granby roll? A: Keeping the chin tucked protects the cervical spine and ensures the roll occurs across the shoulders and upper back rather than directly on the head, preventing neck injuries. The compact body position (knees to chest, elbows tight) serves multiple purposes: it protects limbs from submission attacks, creates a more efficient rotational motion with better momentum, reduces the time your back is exposed, and makes it harder for opponents to stop or counter the movement. A compact shape also allows faster completion of the technique.

Q5: Why is rolling diagonally away from the opponent superior to rolling straight backward? A: Rolling diagonally moves your shoulders and back away from the opponent’s centerline and attacking hands, making it much more difficult for them to secure back control during the vulnerable rotation phase. A straight backward roll keeps you aligned with their attack trajectory and often results in them taking your back or maintaining dominant position. The diagonal angle also creates better positioning for threading your legs and establishing guard frames, as it naturally creates the space and angle needed for effective leg insertion.

Q6: What should you do if the opponent secures a grip on your leg during the Granby roll, preventing full closed guard closure? A: Accept the open guard position that results from their leg control (butterfly, half guard, or single leg X-guard depending on which leg they control) rather than forcing closed guard. Work methodically to break their grip while maintaining your guard structure, or transition immediately to attacks available from that open guard position. Forcing closed guard against a strong leg grip often results in guard passing opportunities for the opponent. Advanced practitioners can use this grip as an entry to specific open guard attacks or sweeps.

Safety Considerations

The Granby to Closed Guard is generally a safe technique when executed with proper mechanics, but practitioners must be mindful of several safety considerations. Most importantly, never allow your head to bear weight during the roll - the movement should occur exclusively across the shoulders and upper back. Rolling onto the head or neck can cause serious cervical spine injuries. Always keep the chin tucked tightly to the chest throughout the movement. Practitioners with neck, shoulder, or upper back injuries should consult with medical professionals before practicing this technique. When training, ensure adequate mat space is available to complete the roll without obstruction, as collisions with walls or other practitioners during rotation can cause injury. Partners should provide appropriate resistance levels based on the practitioner’s skill level and training phase. Beginners should master the solo movement mechanics before adding partner resistance. The rapid rotational movement can cause dizziness in some practitioners initially; if this occurs, reduce repetition frequency until vestibular adaptation occurs. Proper warm-up of the shoulders, neck, and hips is essential before practicing this technique intensively.

Position Integration

The Granby to Closed Guard serves as a critical defensive recovery technique that connects compromised bottom positions back to offensive guard systems. Within the broader BJJ positional hierarchy, this technique functions as a safety valve that prevents the progression from bad positions (turtle, flattened positions) to worse positions (back control, mount). It is particularly important in the defensive framework because it provides an escape route that works specifically against forward pressure scenarios where traditional shrimping or bridge-and-roll escapes are ineffective. The technique integrates seamlessly with the guard retention system, as it uses similar hip movement principles but applies them in a rotational rather than linear fashion. From a systematic perspective, mastering the Granby to Closed Guard opens up entire families of related techniques including the reverse Granby, rolling back takes, and various inverting guard entries. The movement also connects to offensive scrambling sequences where practitioners use Granby mechanics to create unpredictable angles during transitions. Many high-level competitors use Granby-based movements as core elements of their guard recovery system, making this technique essential for both fundamental defensive skills and advanced guard play development.

Related Techniques

• Granby Roll - Foundation technique - core movement mechanic
• Hip Escape - Alternative guard recovery method for different scenarios
• Technical Standup - Alternative defensive recovery creating distance rather than guard
• Rolling to Guard - Related rolling-based guard recovery technique
• Turtle to Guard - Alternative turtle escape method to guard
• Elbow Escape - Complementary escape using different mechanics for similar goals
• Bridge and Roll - Alternative rotation-based escape from bottom positions
• Re-Guard - Generic guard recovery category that Granby to Guard exemplifies
• Forward Roll - Related rolling movement using similar biomechanics
• Shrimp Escape - Complementary linear escape technique for guard recovery
• Guard Replacement - Alternative guard recovery method from compromised positions
• Frame and Shrimp - Alternative escape combining framing with linear movement

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The Granby roll to closed guard represents one of the most mechanically sophisticated defensive movements in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, combining rotational dynamics with precise timing to transform defensive vulnerability into offensive opportunity. The critical element that most practitioners miss is the relationship between the initial space creation and the rotational momentum - these are not separate actions but rather a unified explosive movement where the hip extension directly feeds into the shoulder roll. From a biomechanical perspective, the technique exploits the opponent’s forward vector of pressure by redirecting it through a rotational plane that they cannot effectively follow. The compact body positioning throughout the roll is not merely defensive; it creates a moment of inertia that accelerates the rotation while simultaneously protecting vulnerable joints. The sequential leg threading is perhaps the most important technical detail - by establishing the inside leg frame first, you create a mechanical barrier that prevents the opponent from following your rotation, while the outside leg hook redirects their momentum into your closed guard structure. This technique should be viewed as a fundamental pillar of the defensive framework, as important as the bridge and shrimp, because it provides the solution to forward pressure scenarios where linear escape mechanics fail.
• Gordon Ryan: In competition, the Granby to closed guard is an absolute game-changer for defensive situations, but it requires serious drilling to be reliable under pressure. I’ve used this escape countless times when opponents think they’ve got me pinned in turtle or are about to pass my guard - the explosive hip extension combined with the roll completely changes the dynamic of the exchange. What makes it so effective at the highest levels is that most competitors are conditioned to expect linear escape movements like shrimping, so the rotational attack completely disrupts their pressure and base. The key to making this work in competition is commitment - you cannot half-ass a Granby roll. If you hesitate or slow down mid-movement, you’re giving your opponent your back on a platter. I drill this movement pattern almost daily, not just from static positions but from live scrambles where the timing is less predictable. When you hit it perfectly against a strong opponent who’s driving hard into you, their own pressure actually helps you complete the rotation faster. From the closed guard position you establish, you’re immediately in a position to attack or sweep, so this isn’t just an escape - it’s a transition to offense. The technique is especially valuable in no-gi where the reduced friction makes rotational movements smoother and faster.
• Eddie Bravo: The Granby to closed guard is pure jiu-jitsu wizardry, man - it’s like you’re getting smashed, and then suddenly you’re on bottom playing your game. In the 10th Planet system, we use variations of this movement constantly, especially in our lockdown and rubber guard games where we need to recover guard from bad positions. What I love about the Granby is that it’s so unexpected - most people are trained to defend against straight shrimping escapes, but when you start rolling and inverting, it blows their mind and their base. We’ve developed some sick variations where you Granby into lockdown half guard instead of closed guard, which sets up the whole electric chair and vaporizer sequence. The technique is also fundamental for our Twister side control escapes. One thing I emphasize with my students is that the Granby roll isn’t just an escape - it’s a transition into attacks. You should be thinking submission or sweep as soon as you hit closed guard, not just ‘phew, I escaped.’ We drill Granby movements from everywhere - standing, sitting, turtle, side control - because the body mechanics translate across all these positions. The rotational power you develop from practicing Granby rolls also translates into better inverting for guard work and more explosive scrambling ability. This is essential modern jiu-jitsu movement that every player should have in their defensive arsenal.