Leg Locks, Open Guard, and the Rewards of Sport Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Context Dependent Risks and Rewards

There is a simplistic debate about techniques that work in sport Brazilian jiu-jitsu not working in real fair fights. I don’t know what a real fair fight is, but as long as we’re talking about people with two arms, two legs, and one head fighting one another, I’m going to go ahead and say that the techniques you learn in Brazilian jiu-jitsu gyms work in fights. What gets you in trouble is applying techniques in inappropriate contexts.

It’s not the smartest idea to jump guard on concrete. It also doesn’t make sense to fall off mount for an arm bar in an MMA fight with three minutes left in the round. Both techniques “work” but they are inappropriate due to the risks and rewards of the context listed.

If someone is standing to hit you, does it make sense to reach for their posture when their upper body is out of range? Or, given the context, does it make more sense to grab their legs and play open guard so they can’t hit you while you work for a sweep, submission, or stand-up?

Sport Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Stability

The argument about sport Brazilian techniques not working boils down to one question. Does your application of the technique put you at more risk of being hit, hurt, and finished? Many people arguing against techniques ignore the fact that effective striking relies on maintaining a solid base.

It’s unlikely that you will get hit hard when your opponent’s base is being disrupted by your open guard attacks. Similarly, if your submission attempts risk ending the fight your opponent’s hands will be stuck on defense and they can’t hit you well.

Below Beniel Dariush is working to pass, but he has to monitor Charles Oliveira’s legs to prevent open guard attacks. Because Dariush’s hands are occupied he can’t hit effectively, but Oliveira can work.

Later Dariush is hitting Oliveira from closed guard. This time Oliveira opens his guard, puts his feet on Dariush’s hips, and kicks him off to stand and avoid damage.

In both sequences Oliveira’s use of open guard prevents Dariush from hurting him. We can also look at last month’s fight between Sage Northcutt and Ahmed Mujtaba.

Mujtaba stands to start passing and pounding. Northcutt uses the space to attack a heel hook. Mujtaba is forced to try to open Northcutt’s legs and defend the submission, preventing him from hitting Northcutt. When he gave up on defending and tried to run, Northcutt’s submission was too deep, and Mujtaba was forced to tap.

It’s an arbitrary decision to avoid certain techniques. Yes, there are risks associated with using leg locks, open guards, and really any technique, but it’s your job to understand the risks that come with your techniques so you know which contexts provide rewards that outweigh those risks and then train accordingly.

We’ll talk more about the risks of positions and how that determines appropriate submissions later. Today we’re at 500 words.