As the attacker executing the reguard from Double Jump, your objective is to transition from the dynamic but potentially compromised Double Jump bottom position to the defensive stability and offensive versatility of closed guard. This requires methodical space creation through frames, precise hip movement to extract legs from underneath the opponent, and explosive guard closure before the top player can advance to a passing position. The technique demands patience to recognize the optimal moment for execution and commitment to complete the full transition without pausing in vulnerable intermediate positions. Unlike the Escape Double Jump which settles for half guard, this reguard targets full closed guard, requiring greater range of motion but yielding a significantly more offensive recovery position.
From Position: Double Jump (Bottom)
Key Attacking Principles
- Establish defensive frames before initiating any leg movement to create the space necessary for guard closure
- Hip escape timing is the critical mechanical element - execute when opponent shifts weight or adjusts position
- Guard closure must be explosive and decisive once legs are extracted, leaving no gap for opponent to exploit
- Control opponent’s posture with arm grips throughout the transition to prevent them from capitalizing on the movement
- Commit fully to the reguard once initiated - halfway attempts leave you more vulnerable than staying in Double Jump
- Time the reguard during opponent’s transitions or weight shifts when their base is least stable
Prerequisites
- At least one defensive frame established against opponent’s shoulder, chest, or hip to create space
- Opponent’s weight shifted forward or distributed unevenly, creating opportunity for hip escape
- Sufficient hip mobility to execute full leg sweep around opponent’s waist from underneath their base
- Recognition that offensive options from Double Jump have been neutralized or are lower percentage than reguarding
- Opponent has not advanced past the point of recovery - their control must still allow leg extraction and reconfiguration
Execution Steps
- Establish defensive frames: Place both hands against opponent’s chest and shoulder line, creating a structural barrier that prevents them from driving their weight into you. Use forearm frames rather than extended arm posts to maintain stronger structural integrity. These frames create the space needed for all subsequent movement and must be maintained until guard closure is nearly complete.
- Hip escape to create angle: Execute a sharp hip escape by driving your bottom foot into the mat and shrimping your hips away from the opponent, creating a 30-45 degree angle relative to their centerline. This movement begins extracting your legs from underneath their base while generating the angular momentum needed for guard closure. The hip escape must be explosive and committed to create sufficient space before the opponent can react.
- Extract inside leg from underneath: Withdraw your inside leg from underneath the opponent by curling your knee toward your chest while maintaining the frame pressure with your arms. This is the most vulnerable phase of the transition as one leg is no longer controlling the opponent’s base. Use the frame pressure aggressively to prevent the opponent from driving forward to flatten you during this extraction window.
- Secure upper body control grip: Transition one hand from the defensive frame to a controlling grip on the opponent’s collar, neck, or behind their head. This grip prevents them from posturing away or circling to pass while you complete the guard closure. Maintain the remaining frame with your other arm to preserve the space you created during the hip escape. This grip will become your primary posture-breaking tool once guard is locked.
- Swing outside leg around opponent’s waist: Drive your outside leg in a sweeping arc around the opponent’s body, aiming to hook behind their lower back. Use your hip flexibility and the angle created by the hip escape to generate the range of motion needed for full guard closure. The leg should travel in a tight arc close to the opponent’s body to minimize the time window where guard is open and vulnerable to passing.
- Lock ankles behind opponent’s back: Cross your ankles behind the opponent’s lower back immediately upon contact, securing the closed guard position. Lock at the small of their back for optimal control of both upper and lower body. Simultaneously pull with your heels into their lower back to begin breaking their posture forward, establishing the offensive dynamic of closed guard before they can posture up and begin working to open your guard.
- Consolidate closed guard position: Immediately break the opponent’s posture by combining heel pressure into their lower back with the collar or head control grip pulling them forward and down. Establish your preferred attacking grips for your closed guard system. Squeeze knees together to restrict their lateral movement and breathing, completing the transition from defensive reguard to a fully offensive closed guard position with immediate sweep and submission threats.
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Closed Guard | 40% |
| Failure | Double Jump | 30% |
| Failure | Half Guard | 15% |
| Counter | Side Control | 15% |
Opponent Counters
- Opponent drives heavy forward pressure to prevent hip escape and flatten bottom player (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Use the forward pressure to redirect into guard closure by maintaining your frame and timing the hip escape for the moment their drive peaks. Their forward commitment actually assists guard closure if you can establish the hip angle first. → Leads to Double Jump
- Opponent widens base and posts hands to prevent legs from closing around their waist (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Target half guard as an intermediate position by hooking one leg first, then work to upgrade from half guard to closed guard through knee shield adjustments. Accept the partial recovery rather than forcing an exposed guard closure. → Leads to Half Guard
- Opponent initiates guard pass during the vulnerable leg extraction and closure window (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Maintain defensive frames at all costs and prioritize getting at least one hook in to prevent the complete guard pass. If closed guard cannot be achieved, settle for half guard to maintain some form of guard entanglement. → Leads to Side Control
- Opponent backsteps and circles to avoid guard closure while maintaining top position (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: If opponent creates distance by backstepping, use the space to recover butterfly guard or open guard instead of forcing closed guard closure. Their retreat gives you space to establish alternative guard configurations. → Leads to Double Jump
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What defensive frame must be established before initiating the reguard from Double Jump? A: At least one solid forearm frame against the opponent’s chest or shoulder must be established before any leg movement. This frame creates the space necessary for hip escape and prevents the opponent from driving their weight forward during the transition. Without this frame, the opponent can flatten you during the leg extraction phase, making guard closure impossible and potentially advancing to a passing position.
Q2: What is the most vulnerable moment during the reguard transition and how do you protect yourself? A: The most vulnerable moment is during leg extraction when your inside leg has withdrawn from underneath the opponent but your guard is not yet closed. During this window, you must maintain strong frame pressure with your arms and move quickly through the transition to minimize exposure. The frame prevents the opponent from advancing while your legs are in transit between the Double Jump configuration and closed guard.
Q3: Your opponent drives heavy forward pressure as you attempt the reguard - how do you adjust? A: Use their forward pressure to your advantage by maintaining your defensive frame while redirecting their momentum. Their forward drive actually assists guard closure if you can establish the correct hip angle first through a sharp hip escape. Time the hip escape for when their forward drive peaks, then use their committed weight to pull them into your closing guard as your legs sweep around their waist.
Q4: When should you choose to reguard to closed guard versus escaping to half guard from Double Jump bottom? A: Reguard to closed guard when your closed guard attack system is stronger than your half guard game and you have sufficient hip mobility for the full guard closure. Choose the half guard escape when the opponent’s pressure makes full guard closure unrealistic, when you need the quickest possible recovery to any stable guard, or when your half guard offensive system is well-developed. The reguard is higher risk but higher reward.
Q5: What grip should you establish before completing the guard closure? A: Before closing the guard, transition one hand from your defensive frame to a controlling grip on the opponent’s collar, neck, or behind their head. This grip serves dual purposes: it prevents the opponent from posturing away during guard closure, and it enables immediate posture breaking once the guard is locked. Without this grip, opponents can posture up immediately upon guard closure and begin their guard opening sequence.
Q6: How do you consolidate position immediately after successfully locking your ankles? A: Immediately break the opponent’s posture by combining heel pressure pulling into their lower back with your established collar or head control grip pulling them forward. Squeeze your knees together to restrict their lateral movement and breathing, then establish your preferred attacking grips for sweeps or submissions. The goal is to transition from defensive reguard to offensive closed guard within two to three seconds of locking your ankles.
Q7: What happens if you can only recover half guard instead of full closed guard during the reguard attempt? A: If only one leg gets through to hook the opponent’s leg, accept half guard as an intermediate position rather than forcing an exposed guard closure attempt. From half guard bottom, you can work to upgrade to closed guard through knee shield adjustments, or transition to offensive half guard systems like deep half or lockdown. A solid half guard recovery is significantly better than an exposed position from a failed forced reguard.
Safety Considerations
The reguard from Double Jump involves explosive hip movement under load, creating potential strain on hip flexors and lower back. Ensure adequate warm-up before drilling, particularly focusing on hip mobility and groin flexibility. Avoid forcing the guard closure if hip range of motion is insufficient, as this can lead to groin strains or hip impingement. During drilling, communicate clearly with training partners about resistance levels to prevent injury during the vulnerable leg extraction phase. If you experience hip or lower back discomfort during the movement, stop and reassess your body positioning before continuing.