[Tim Chan]

I know I'm not the best sub stylist.
I've never really been too much of a fan of the closed guard. I'm wondering why it seems to be so popular.

when you are using your closed guard, it doesnt really seem like you can do anything, except keept someone there, and maybe squeeze hard using strength(if you have really strong legs).

it doesn't really do much to prevent punches, and you usually have to open your guard to get any submissions or flipping someone over.

[Timbaland]

So you are asking for advantages of the closed guard?

I use the closed guard to break the other guys posture by pulling him in with the legs, then I open up the legs and attack him.

[ks1911shooter]

With or without the gi, you can keep the opponent from posturing up to work for the pass. Once you break him down, you can work for subs a lot easier.

With the gi, closed guard is a great way to set up various collar chokes too. Kimura works from the closed guard as well, though you may have to open your legs to apply the finishing touch to the lock.

[Kimuralex]

I dont think your legs have to be closed for it to be considered a closed guard. I think it is still a "closed" guard as long as the guys body is between your two legs.

Dean lister said it best when he said the guard is very effective because you have four limbs while the guy on top only has two.

[Frodo]

Sigh... There are many techniques you can do from a closed guard. I'm tired of iterating them, so for now just use the search function or your imagination.

[Deioces]

in sambo your not aloud to close your guard, and hey if it works for fedor then it must be good.

[georgejjr]

It also depends upon who you're fighting (keeping Fedor in closed guard wouldn't be advisable, for instance), and under what rules (closed guard in MMA is trickier than in sub grappling).

[knoxpk]

Closed guard IMO is a safety position. It gives you some semblance of control of your opponent while your opponent has to actively seek to get out in order to be in the safest of position. In MMA it IS a lil different due to some good GnP guys like Fedor for example bust still its much safer than being moutned by Fedor.

Anyway many will disagree with me so take it with a grain of salt.

[GJJNY]

It's great way to wear out n00bs and spazzes. Then after they're panting from trying to escape closed guard for a furious 3 minutes you triangle the shit out of them.

[Kimuralex]

Originally Posted by knoxpk

Closed guard IMO is a safety position. It gives you some semblance of control of your opponent while your opponent has to actively seek to get out in order to be in the safest of position. In MMA it IS a lil different due to some good GnP guys like Fedor for example bust still its much safer than being moutned by Fedor.

Anyway many will disagree with me so take it with a grain of salt.

lol bad example man, ANY position is a bad position to be in with fedor

but yea i also think it is a safety position, i like the closed guard cuz i can just chill out for a second and regain my composure, from there there are still quite a lot of attacks/setups sweeps