Open Guard vs. A closed type Guard

[OldTimey]

I have been playing with butterfly/foot on hips for the past week. I usually do halfguard or closed. I've had more success in the past week than over the past few months. Not trying to start a "which is the best guard", but I would like to hear opinions on a closed type vs. an open type guard, and how you decided which was right for you.

Thanks

 

[JMG1134]

I still use both. On a bigger, stronger guy, I'll usually close the guard so I can control him a little better. For the rest, I've really just been doing open guard to get better at it. I still get passed a good bit, but it's getting there. I've become a fan of spider guard. I know some people like to specialize in certain guards, but personally, I think its more important to be aware of the theory behind the guard: keeping proper distance to keep your legs in play, so you have your 4 limbs to work against their 2.

 

[OldTimey]

I still use both. On a bigger, stronger guy, I'll usually close the guard so I can control him a little better. For the rest, I've really just been doing open guard to get better at it. I still get passed a good bit, but it's getting there. I've become a fan of spider guard. I know some people like to specialize in certain guards, but personally, I think its more important to be aware of the theory behind the guard: keeping proper distance to keep your legs in play, so you have your 4 limbs to work against their 2.

Spider Guard looks like a lot of fun. I seriously considered using it more, but I don't want to damage my fingers. Some people I train with us it a lot, and their hands are fucked. I use the two on one wrist grip sometimes, however.

 

[JMG1134]

I like two on one a lot, too, especially with the bigger guys. I guess I've been lucky with my fingers so far, but I use a lot of sleeve grips, and have been blessed with pretty good grip strength and duration. It's a good one to play with, even if you don't use it as your go to guard.

 

[HtomSirveaux]

I have long legs so I like closed guard. I'll only play open if the guy is good enough to break open my guard or not let me close on the first place

 

[yetanother]

I use closed guard when I can get there, open guard when I can't get to closed and half guard if I'm forced too.

 

[Forceof1]

I'll switch up based on who I'm rolling with. I try to play all the guards over course of night, unless I'm really working on something or my opponent is better. Then it's lasso, deep half and hope for the best

 

[ElPresidente77]

I use closed guard when I can get there, open guard when I can't get to closed and half guard if I'm forced too.

This.

 

[thugpoet]

Butterfly and x guard mostly, tired then I'll play closed out of tiredness

 

[EndlessCritic]

closed is my strongest guard by far. cross the sleeve and take the back all day.

i find myself playing more half than anything though.

 

[monsieur_jj]

half guard = half back, i used closed, half, butterfly. Closed guard also fucks your fingers when you maintain it with the sleeve grips

 

[Glokta]

I found closed my goto at white belt but use it rarely now - everyone knows how to defend top, specialists can get round this but I don't spend enough time there.

Closed seems really limiting vs bigger guys. Its too easy get squashed, much rather be under a guy with butterfly.

I mainly use half for guard reclamation, I'll do the basic sweeps but find it much easier to bail. The specialists I know spend alot of time an effort getting sweeps and can easily get smashed by bigger guys... not for me.

 

[Shemhazai]

I don't play much closed guard. I prefer to play a guard that invites my opponent to engage and attempt a pass where he is, rather than one that makes him defend and stall until I concede a more favorable position to him. RDLR/tornado is good in this way, IMO.