Collar Sleeve Guard

Position Gi only
Also known as:
Collar Sleeve

Collar Sleeve Guard is an open guard position where the bottom player controls the opponent's posture and movement by gripping one collar and the opposite sleeve, while using the feet on the hip and bicep to create distance and leverage. It is a highly offensive guard used to set up sweeps, back takes, triangles, and omoplatas.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · The cross-grip on the collar (same side as the sleeve grip hand) controls posture and prevents the opponent from disengaging.
  • · The foot on the bicep of the sleeve-controlled arm acts as a frame that prevents the opponent from establishing grips or posturing.
  • · The hip-side foot plants on the opponent's hip or thigh to manage distance and create angles for attacks.
  • · Constant off-balancing through push-pull dynamics between the collar grip pulling and the feet pushing keeps the top player reactive.
  • · Anticipate the opponent trying to strip the sleeve grip by maintaining a tight pistol grip and reinforcing with bicep foot pressure.

Execution

  1. 1 From open guard, secure a cross-collar grip with one hand and grip the same-side sleeve of the opponent with your other hand.
  2. 2 Place the foot on the sleeve-grip side onto the opponent's bicep, extending to control that arm and prevent grip fighting.
  3. 3 Place your other foot on the opponent's hip on the collar-grip side to control distance and create an angle.
  4. 4 Use your hips to angle off to the sleeve-grip side, keeping tension on both grips to break the opponent's posture and balance.
  5. 5 From this controlling position, threaten sweeps, triangles, omoplatas, and back takes by manipulating the opponent's base through grip and foot placement adjustments.

Common mistakes

  • × Keeping hips square to the opponent instead of angling off, which reduces leverage for sweeps and submissions and makes it easier for the top player to pass.
  • × Placing the foot flat on the bicep instead of using the ball of the foot with active toes, resulting in a weaker frame that is easily stripped.
  • × Holding a loose sleeve grip that allows the opponent to free their hand and establish combat base or initiate a guard pass.

From the bottom

What the bottom grappler is working toward from Collar Sleeve Guard.

Collar Sleeve Omoplata submission Collar Sleeve Sweep sweep Collar Sleeve Triangle submission
7 less common
Collar Sleeve Armbar submission Collar Sleeve To Closed Guard transition Collar Sleeve To De La Riva Guard transition Collar Sleeve To Lasso Guard transition Collar Sleeve To Spider Guard transition Shotgun Armlock submission Triangle From Guard submission

On top

The top grappler's options against Collar Sleeve Guard.

Knee Cut Pass pass Toreando Pass pass
4 less common
Headquarters Pass pass Leg Drag Pass pass Pressure Pass pass Stack Pass pass

How you get here

Techniques that land in Collar Sleeve Guard.

Lasso To Collar Sleeve Guard transition Open Guard To Collar Sleeve transition