Why Do People Pull Guard in BJJ?

by Adrian Davis April 11, 2025

Pulling guard is a common strategy in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) where a practitioner voluntarily goes to the ground, placing their opponent between their legs in a guard position. While this may seem counterintuitive in other martial arts or combat sports, pulling guard has significant tactical advantages in BJJ. Here’s why people often choose to pull guard:

1. To Avoid Takedowns:

Many BJJ practitioners are more skilled at ground techniques than standing takedowns. Pulling guard allows them to bypass the risks of stand-up grappling.
In competition, failed takedown attempts can result in losing points. Pulling guard minimizes this risk and gets the fight to the ground on their terms.

2. To Initiate Their Game Plan:

Some athletes specialize in guard-based attacks like sweeps, submissions, and transitions. Pulling guard allows them to play to their strengths.
By establishing guard first, they can dictate the pace and control the distance, setting up their preferred techniques.

3. Scoring and Strategy in Competition:

In some BJJ rule sets, successful guard pulls are considered neutral and do not concede points. This makes it a strategic move to avoid giving up points on a failed takedown attempt.
Guard pulling can also stall an opponent's game plan, especially if the opponent relies heavily on wrestling or top pressure.

4. Reducing Risk of Injury:

Aggressive takedowns, such as double-leg or single-leg shots, can lead to injuries from collisions or improper falls. Pulling guard is generally a safer and more controlled way to bring the match to the ground.
Especially for hobbyists or older practitioners, guard pulling minimizes the impact and stress on the body.

5. Setting Up Submissions and Sweeps:

Pulling guard immediately places the practitioner in a position to attack. From positions like closed guard, butterfly guard, or De La Riva guard, they can execute sweeps and submissions without delay.
Advanced guard players use guard pulls to transition seamlessly into submissions like triangles, armbars, and guillotines.

6. Overcoming Size and Strength Disadvantages:

BJJ emphasizes technique over brute strength. Smaller or lighter practitioners often pull guard to neutralize the strength and size of a larger opponent.
The guard allows for the use of leverage, angles, and technique to control stronger opponents.

7. Tradition and Style Preference:

BJJ originated as a ground-based martial art, emphasizing guard play as a core aspect of the art.
Many academies and lineages place a strong emphasis on guard development, making guard pulling a natural choice for their students.

8. Adapting to Modern BJJ:

In modern BJJ, especially in sport competitions, advanced guards like berimbolo, lasso, and worm guard have become highly effective. Pulling guard is often the quickest way to implement these complex techniques.
No-Gi BJJ has also popularized aggressive guard pulling, given the absence of grips for traditional judo throws.

When Should You Not Pull Guard?

In self-defense situations where standing control is crucial.
In competitions that emphasize takedowns or penalize guard pulling (like some Judo or wrestling-based formats).
When facing an opponent with exceptionally strong top control and guard passing skills.

Conclusion:

Pulling guard in BJJ is a strategic choice that maximizes a practitioner's strengths while minimizing risks. While it may seem counterintuitive in other martial arts, in BJJ, the guard is a powerful offensive and defensive position that can dictate the flow of a match.