Let’s remind ourselves of the most important thing you need to do when you have someone in your closed guard: attack at all times.
Many jiujiteiros make a mistake of holding a closed guard for a longer period of time without doing anything. And, while simply holding your opponent in it and waiting for the right moment is sometimes a good thing to do, it is never a good approach to use the closed guard as a position of rest for yourself.
If you enjoy playing the Closed Guard game, then you’re going to love the Ezekiel Grip – as it traps the opponent’s arm and makes it virtually impossible for them to pull it out.
Waldo Zapata demonstrates it on the video below, alongside some extremely important concepts:
Compiling his experience of over 25 years of training with some of the best practitioners in the world, black belt Waldo Zapata details one of his signature techniques; the power shoulder trap.
- Start with an introduction to closed guard concepts and translate the understanding of the position into match winning techniques.
- Check out techniques applicable both in the gi and no gi and shape your game around this controlling position.
