When it comes to jumping guard in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, it’s often viewed with controversy…and for good reason. The main issue of jumping guard is that it can be very dangerous. If gone wrong, the person getting jumped on can easily break their leg and it’s an extremely graphic situation to view. Having said this, guard jumping remains legal under IBJJF rules and is still commonplace in competitions. Here’s everything you’ll need to know about guard jumping in BJJ.
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Why is jumping guard dangerous?
Imagine trying to step forward with a straight leg. Now, imagine trying to do so, whilst someone your own weight jumps on you and your leg meets their body. This results in the leg snapping as it’s almost like a kneebar where the straightened leg can no longer bend against the bodyweight of the opponent.
This is something that sadly happens, and is so dangerous that even John Danaher famously banned it from his training sessions. In fact, most gyms will not allow guard jumping as it’s seen as too dangerous. There’s also another danger.
The second danger of guard jumping is far rarer but still goes on. This is where the person who jumps falls backward, as their opponent cannot hold their weight. This is commonly associated with flying triangles or armbars, but can happen with guard jumps too. In short, if your opponent isn’t strong enough to hold you, then you will fall back. Most of the time, you’ll be ok but can end up slamming your head and getting concussed.
Can I jump guard as a white belt in IBJJF?
As a white belt, it’s illegal in IBJJF to jump guard. However, you can do so from blue belt onwards. Remember, this practice usually happens more often when training in the gi where it’s easier to pull off due to setting up grips. Nonetheless, as a blue belt competitor, it’s something to look out for.
Whilst on the subject of legalities, there’s also another technicality that is involved with jumping guard. Imagine getting jumped on, and you fail to support the guard jumper and fall into them. If done quickly enough, then this can be defined as a slam.
Again, under IBJJF rules this can be deemed as illegal, resulting in a disqualification. Obviously, no one likes slams in BJJ, but from this perspective, the ruling seems very harsh as it’s no more dangerous when compared to jumping guard.
Below is an example of guard jumping gone wrong. Be warned, this is not a particularly pretty sight.
How to defend jumping guard
There are several ways to defend jumping guard, and if you’re worried about safety then they’re all worth consideration.
The first way is to grip your opponent’s leg which would make their guard pull counterproductive. If you pull any form of guard with your leg or pants getting gripped, then it counts as a takedown. Therefore, if you make this grip, they probably won’t jump. Even if they do jump but you quickly re-direct their one leg with your free arm, you can even turn this into a takedown and instantly pass the guard on the ground.
There are some more obvious ways too. The first is to pull guard yourself. If you’re very scared and you’re facing someone you know who likes to jump guard, then simply pull a guard of your own before them. Similarly, you can also opt for a takedown. Remember, in competition – these methods may need time to set up, so you will not have time on your side if you’re worried about a guard jump.
One method of defense against a guard pull is to try and squat once they jump. If you’ve ever drilled guard jumps, then a wide base with bent knees is ideal. As mentioned earlier, leg breaks can happen when the legs are extended. By making sure your base is wide with bent legs, you lessen the chance of your legs getting injured. Of course, this is a skill in itself and takes time to develop a feel of the timing against people that jump guard.
Is it wise to jump guard?
Obviously, from a sports BJJ perspective – guard jumping is a strategy that you would not necessarily want to use in an MMA or street fight. However, if you like to play the closed guard, then it can be a quick route to get into the position. Sometimes, if you don’t jump guard then getting to closed guard can be quite difficult. As a result, jumping guard removes these problems.
Having said this, there are other methods to get to closed guard. One of these is by pulling into de la riva, and quickly dragging the opponent into your closed guard by re-arranging your legs.
Whatever your reasons, the bulk of the time guard jumping is done by those who favor the closed guard. Otherwise, it’s probably not a wise move to make. Just remember as well, you’ll probably annoy your training partners in the gym, especially without forewarning them beforehand.
If you do plan on jumping guard, remember to do it correctly. Aim your jump on the hips, instead of below the hips as otherwise it’s more likely to result in injury as it resembles the infamous kani basami.
Conclusion
Guard jumping is fairly taboo for a reason. If done badly, it can break the leg and result in surgery. At the same time, it’s still a sight that often goes on in competition. Therefore, if you do plan to compete, then make sure you know how to defend against it. Whether that’s a practical defense that stops the jump dead, or whether it’s just damage limitation once the opponent has jumped guard – overall it’s best to have a plan and to educate yourself for when guard jumping occurs.
