The Pull Guard, or Pulling Guard, is a highly effective move that will allow you to start from a standing position and end up in a more dominant position, such as another guard type. I’ve already said the word guard 4 times, so I think it’s time I explain what this article is about and what it’ll cover.
This article is a guide to the Pulling Guard in BJJ. It’ll allow you to transition from a standing position and attain a superior position, such as De La Riva Guard, Butterfly Guard, and Half-Guard.
First, I’m confident that this article will be the only source you’ll need to learn about this move, and do it correctly. It’ll allow you to use it effectively the minute you finish reading this article. Of course, I’m aware of the fact that BJJ has an endless supply of knowledge, and that’s amazing.
However, this article will cover everything you need to know to start getting results with the Pull Guard in the present moment. Expanding your knowledge is almost always positive. I’ve added the word almost because some grapplers prefer to learn than practice, which you want to avoid.
So I think that’s enough chit-chat. Let’s dive into the real thing we’re all here for!
The first section will define what this move is and why it’s useful.
What Is the Pull Guard?
So you don’t need to know anything regarding the Pulling Guard. However, I’m assuming you have a basic level of understanding of BJJ. If you don’t, there’s still a fair chance you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
So let’s first define what the Pull Guard is.
The Pulling Guard is a technique in BJJ that allows you to transition from a standing position to any type of guard. You first want to grip the opponent’s collar with one hand and his sleeve (the other side) with your other. Then, you lean back and sit while pulling the opponent.
From your current position, you’ll be capable of attaining another type of guard, such as closed, open, butterfly, half, and De La Riva Guard. All of these allow you endless options moving forward.
So I hope you can appreciate the number of options you’re getting from having the Pulling Guard on your side. You have, literally, thousands upon thousands of moves you can potentially use, which you can learn and use in your fights.
I hope that got you excited!
Pull Guard Fundamentals
Alright. You now know what the Pull Guard is and why it can be potent. What we’ll do now is review some of its fundamentals. These are things you want to know about it before you begin practicing this technique.
You want to get it right from the very first time you’re practicing it. Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect – and you want to utilize this to your advantage.
Know what you’re looking for in your training before you step on the mat and begin practicing.
So now, let’s dive into the 4 most critical fundamentals for you to know.
#1 – Start with collar and sleeve grip
The very first thing you want to look for is gripping the opponent’s collar and sleeve. This is a common grip system you want to utilize. It’s the first step to many submissions and sweeps out there, such as this one!
So what would that look like?
Let’s say you’re facing the opponent. You now want to grip his right collar with your right hand (same side grip) while grabbing the opponent’s left sleeve with your left hand. Simple enough.
That’s the first thing you want to know and understand about this move. If you grip incorrectly, you’ll never be able to execute this move properly.
#2 – Attack using your leg on the side you control
So you now understand what your grips should look like. That’s good. I want to continue by addressing a critical part of this move.
There’s one side you control more than the other; in our case, if you grab his left sleeve, that’s the one you want to attack with your leg. I know you might still don’t know what that would look like, and that’s fine.
Just know that you want to place your attacking leg on the same side of your sleeve grip. Your opponent will not be able to defend by grabbing your leg and passing your guard if you attack the side that you control more.
#3 – Lean back and sit while pulling the opponent
The 3rd fundamental is to lean back and sit while pulling the opponent. That’s, of course, after you placed your foot on the opponent’s leg. Before we address this critical thing, let’s understand the importance of your leg here.
If you pull the opponent when you only have sleeve and collar grips, there’s no way you’ll be able to lean back and attain a dominant position. The only possible outcome here, assuming you’re facing someone with a bit of experience, is that your opponent will be able to sweep you.
That’s just how it’ll go down (no pun intended, really :))
Anyways, you want to have 3 contact points with the opponent. That’s why placing one of your legs (you know which one) on the opponent’s hip (of the same side of your leg)—is critical to the execution of this move.
Now, you want to lean back and sit while pulling the opponent with you. You’ll notice how it suddenly becomes much easier to bring the opponent with you and attain a dominant guard position.
#4 – Keep your contact points when you sit
The last critical thing you want to know before we move onto submissions from the Pull Guard—is to keep your contact points when you sit.
You have 3 contact points: sleeve, collar, and leg on the hip. That’s fantastic, as you now have plenty of control over the opponent. The next step now will be to sit (as you know already.)
But you don’t want to just sit and hope for the best. Instead, if you keep your contact points when you sit, there’s a bigger chance you’ll be able to pull this submission off (again, no pun intended!)
Submissions From Pull Guard
Okay. So you’re ready to advance into the more serious stuff. Hopefully, you’re ready to dive into what you’re really here for. I know it took a lot of time, but you’re now more capable of understanding this part of the article.
You literally know everything you need to start submitting the opponent using the Pull Guard. All that’s left for you is to study the various submissions this technique offers.
There’s no better feeling in BJJ than tapping the opponent and getting the win. I’ll be more specific, it’s that way for me. You might enjoy passing the opponent’s guard more than you do submitting. However, I find it most delightful and appealing when I’m able to force my opponent to tap out.
And that’s especially true in a real self-defense fight. So without further ado, let’s review some submissions!
#1 – Armbar
The first submission we’ll review is the Armbar. If unfamiliar with it, follow the previous link to learn about it. You first want to understand its basics before you begin using it, which is the same approach we took in this article.
So how does it work?
You and your opponent begin in a regular standing position. Then, you grab the opponent’s collar and his sleeve (of the other side of the collar.) Next up, you place your foot on the opponent’s hips and lean backward until in a sitting position.
Now this is where the real moves begin. Thus far, you know how to perform everything I’ve said. So how do you attack from your current position?
You push his hips upward with the same foot you placed on his hips while wrapping your other leg around his arm (over his arm.) Next, you push his head outward while wrapping your other leg and isolating his arm. Finally, you roll forward, taking the opponent with you, and hyperextend the opponent’s arm.
#2 – Omoplata
The Omoplata is an exceptionally effective and dominant BJJ submission. It allows you to isolate the opponent’s arm and hyperextend it smoothly. Naturally, it’s a move you want to know to boost your grappling abilities.
This is the 2nd move we’ll discuss today. You’ll begin with your standard Pull Guard and continue with a few moves you want to remember. I encourage you to bookmark this article to have it in easy access, so you can learn each submission and move on its own. This will shorten the amount of time it takes to learn each submission.
Begin by executing the Guard Pull move. Place your right foot on the opponent’s biceps while pushing it down. Next up, you push your other leg’s shin against the arm you want to isolate, bringing it down. Finally, you push the same shin until the opponent rolls forward, giving you access to the Omoplata position.
If you want to learn more about the details of the Omoplata, hence how to use from many variations and how to finish, follow this link to an article I wrote breaking it down.
#3 – Triangle Choke
The last submission we’ll review in this article is the Triangle Choke. You likely are familiar with it. But, if you’re not, it’s time you learn to perform it properly. Of course, BJJ masters can fill a few books just about mastering this submission.
So if you want to learn more about the Triangle Choke in an article I’ve dedicated to it, follow this link.
Anyways, the setup’s first part is the same as we’ve discussed thus far. You want to begin by executing the Guard Pull the way I’ve presented it in this guide. Once you pull the opponent and pull him toward you, however, you want to change the execution.
Instead of leaning back and sitting, you want to get into a similar position to the Butterfly Guard. You hook your feet on the inside of your opponent’s thighs and elevate him so his center of gravity is right above yours. Hooking your legs is critical, or else the opponent will escape.
Once you elevate the opponent using a similar motion to that of the Butterfly Guard, you push the opponent away with your left leg while hooking your right leg around the opponent’s head. Lastly, you trap his head and arm by hooking your left leg to the other side and locking your feet.
That’s pretty much it for this Triangle Choke variant. Follow the link at the beginning of this section to learn more about it.
Final Words
Thus far, you know what the Pull Guard is, its fundamentals, and how to finish once you have executed it. I decided to present these 3 submissions because they are the ones I encourage you to learn first.
They’re easy to learn and understand, making them attractive regardless of your belt color. You can be white, blue, purple, brown, and even black. It doesn’t matter. What does matter is the amount of effort you’re putting into training.
Because you can be a black belt and get swept by a blue belt who has practiced this Pull Guard a lot. And I mean a lot. So you want to keep up with constant learning and experimentation, as these make the best grapplers.
The Pull Guard isn’t the most effective type of guard. Follow this link to learn more about BJJ’s best guard positions you must learn (and how to use each one!)
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Here are other articles you’d enjoy reading:
BJJ 101: Reverse De La Riva Guard
X-Guard – BJJ 101 (How to Use and Finish)
BJJ 101: Spider Guard (The Proper Way)
BJJ 101: De La Riva Guard (Sweeps & Submissions)
BJJ 101: Butterfly Guard (Lots of Sweeps & Submissions)
Closed Guard 101 – Complete BJJ Guide
13 Best Submissions From Closed & Open Guard (BJJ)
11 Best Half Guard Submissions From Top and Bottom
BJJ 101: Half-Guard (And How to Finish From It)