Lapel grips drastically change BJJ. This addition inspires creativity in the sport. There are many different ways to use Gi grips. Some are already known to us, while others are still waiting to be found. Modern Jiu-Jitsu is improving, and grapplers must adapt and deal with the changes that come with the sport’s growth. Today, we will talk about a unique job called the squid guard.
What are Lapel Guards?
The lapel is an integral part of guard play in Gi Jiu-Jitsu. Using the Gi to control and slow down an opponent’s movement is key to moves like the worm and squid guard. These guards let you control an opponent who is fully resistant while giving you chances to hit back. The great thing about the collar is that we can use it as an extra part of our body and wrap it around the other person to sweep or submit them.
Lapel guards also let you hit the opponent’s upper or lower body to break their posture. When you do this, you can move on to other open guards or stronger spots. Even though it might sound easy, lapel guard methods are very technical and depend on the right way to hold your body and grip the weapon. This shows how important it is to keep your space from your opponent through grip control.
Once a lapel player finds the best way to hold the weapon, even the strongest opponent will find it hard to stop them. Many grapplers think wrist guards are cheap or unfair because they are so complicated.
Basics of the Squid Guard
The skilled BJJ star Keenan Cornelius came up with the squid guard variation. When your opponent backsteps the leg you want to control, the squid guard works well with other types of lapel guards, like the worm guard. When the opponent steps back, their far leg stays in the same place. This makes it the squid guard’s target.
The squid guard is a way to protect yourself by grabbing your opponent’s lapel. To get to the squid guard, you must bring the opponent’s lapel below their far leg and wrap it around from the worm guard, where you control it below their near leg. Pulling the lapel down gives you control over their leg and disrupts their stance, creating more sweep opportunities.
Performing the Squid Guard
From the open guard, use your left hand to grab your opponent’s right lapel. Before going for the position, control the other person by pulling their lapel and putting your feet on their shoulders or hips. Once the collar is in place, use your right hand to underhook your opponent’s right leg. This is similar to grabbing behind their knee in an Imanari roll. Place your right foot on top of your opponent’s right hip. Swing your left leg to help you turn your body toward the right leg.
Your body turns upside down, but you’re not flipping. Your head is next to your opponent’s right foot. You should keep your left hand on your opponent’s right collar while moving it to your right. This puts the opponent’s right collar on your right hand, behind their right knee, and wraps it around your right leg, which is now on their right hip. Because of the friction and strong grip control, this grip is hard for the opponent to break. This makes it hard for them to stand up straight. You are now in the squid guard position.
Final Thoughts
Among the greatest inventions in BJJ during the last few decades are lapel guards. Even while it focuses more on the athletic element of the art, it’s still worthwhile to research and try lapel modifications like the squid guard because not all opponents are as knowledgeable and skilled as you are.