The quarter guard is a lesser known position that is actually quite powerful. It can lead to a variety of transitions, and was made famous by Eddie Bravo of 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu. When used in Jiu-Jitsu competition, it can provide you with the advantage that you need to defeat bigger, larger opponents, as well as opponents who are more skilled. Let’s take a look at a few of the popular positions associated with the quarter guard.
Under Hook Clinch from the Quarter Guard
The first path that you will consider taking in the quarter guard is the under hook clinch. In this position, you will basically have your opponent’s leg trapped in the quarter guard while you under hook their nearside arm. This will lead to a variety of sweeps and submissions, and isn’t commonly used in Jiu-Jitsu competition, which is all the more reason to learn and apply it during practice.
Deep Half Clinch
This is a powerful position that not many opponents are going to know how to defend. The deep half guard basically requires you to dive under your opponent as you grab their leg. The key to succeeding with this technique is to be 100% committed to taking your opponent’s back once you start the transition. If you hesitate, even for a second, your opponent is going to recognize what you’re doing and they are going to stop you.
The Mini-Stomp
No, this doesn’t mean a literal “stomp” to your opponent. The mini-stomp is a reliable Jiu-Jitsu competition move that you can use if you would like to experience a safe position while in the quarter guard. Granted, there are still a large number of offensive options but not as much as the deep half clinch or the under hook clinch. Another reason why you might try the mini-stomp is because you are trying to get your opponent back into your rubber guard.
Getting to the Quarter Guard – Butt Scoot Blast
The butt scoot blast is by far the easiest way to get your opponent into your quarter guard. During Jiu-Jitsu competition, start by playing your normal open guard. From here, “blast” your hips forward, shooting them downwards until you’re able to lock in your legs. This is going to take some practice, but once mastered, you’ll be able to get to the quarter position whenever you need to.
Conclusion
The lockdown is another widely popular position that closely resembles that quarter guard, which is why you should take the time to learn both. As you become proficient in the quarter guard, you’ll be able to effectively transition to the lockdown much more easily, and as a result, will have more submissions at your disposal.