Atlas/Guard/Matrix Guard
Guard position·triangle choke (leg flexibility creates easy triangle entries), armbar (angle shifts isolate arms), kneebar (inversions expose opponent's legs)
Matrix Guard
Flexible Defense Guard
Inverted Guard Defense

Matrix Guard

Flexible hip movement for guard retention

Dominance
55
vs 45
Control depth
Distal
Guarding
Transitions
19
outbound
Submissions
43
downstream
//01—About this position

What it is

Open guard where the guard player shifts hips and shoulders back to change angles and avoid passes. The position uses movement over frames to retain guard when defensive structures break down. Works as guard retention when standard guards are compromised.

What you do

The step-by-step execution guide lives in the app — 6-step breakdown, biomechanics, and situational tips.

Open1position detailin the App Store↗
Dominance — Guarding perspective
55 vs 45
Disadvantaged↓ 10Dominant
Control depth · Distal — Angle shifts and mobility for retention
Dominance — Passing perspective
45 vs 55
Disadvantaged↓ -10Dominant
Control depth · Distal — Control pace, flatten hips, pass patiently
//02—Concept tags
GUARDDEFENCEFLEXIBLERETENTION
//03—Transitions outbound

19 ways out.

All19transitionsin the App Store↗
Matrix Guard →
Tripod Sweep
Lying across torso - cross-body pressure control
Type
Sweep
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
De La Riva Hook Entry
Shin hook behind leg - off-balance, sweeps, back takes
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
Reverse De La Riva Hook Entry
Reverse leg hook engaged - inverted angles, back access
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
Arm Drag to Back
Over-under grip - upper body control from back
Type
Back take
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
Single Leg X Entry
One leg hooked, one elevating - sweep angles
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
Matrix Guard to Butterfly Guard
Feet hook inside thighs - lifting sweeps
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
Spider Guard Entry
Feet on biceps with sleeve grips - posture control
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
Deep Half Guard Entry
Hip penetration beneath opponent - sweep leverage
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
X-Guard Entry
Crossed leg hooks - explosive sweeps
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
Matrix Guard to Half Guard
One leg trapped - asymmetrical guard control
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
Matrix Guard to Open Guard
Unlocked legs - flexible guard system foundation
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
Rubber Guard Entry
Flexibility-based guard - leg trap controls posture
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
Granby Roll
Inverted on shoulders - dynamic scrambles, unusual angles
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
Collar Sleeve Guard Entry
Collar and sleeve grips - break posture, create angles
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
Matrix Guard to Seated Guard
Seated upright facing opponent - guard entry position
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Matrix Guard →
Matrix Guard to Smash Pressure
Crushing chest pressure - flatten guard structure
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Matrix Guard →
Matrix Guard to Stack Pressure
Stacking weight on shoulders - compressed guard
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Matrix Guard →
Matrix Guard to Over-Under Grip
Asymmetric grip - one over one under
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
Matrix Guard →
Matrix Guard to Double Underhooks
Both underhooks on legs - lift and stack control
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
//04—Submissions downstream

43 finishes live
from this position.

All43submissionsin the App Store↗
SUB-001
Triangle Choke
Guarding
Watch
7/10
SUB-002
Guillotine Choke
Guarding
Watch
6/10
SUB-003
Arm-in Guillotine
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-004
Armbar
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-005
High Elbow Guillotine
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-006
Kneebar
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-007
Omoplata
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-008
Ten Finger Guillotine
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-009
Gogoplata
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-010
Heel Hook
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-011
Inside Heel Hook
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-012
Inverted Armbar
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-013
Inverted Heel Hook
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-014
Kimura
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-015
Outside Heel Hook
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-016
Straight Ankle Lock
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-017
Toe Hold
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-018
Aoki Lock
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-019
Buggy Choke
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-020
Cross Collar Choke
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-021
Cryangle
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-022
Estima Lock
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-023
Loop Choke
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-024
Monoplata
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-025
Reverse Triangle
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-026
Rolling Kneebar
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-027
Straight Armlock
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-028
Tarikoplata
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-029
Arm Crush
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-030
Baratoplata
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-031
Bicep Slicer
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-032
Calf Compression
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-033
Calf Crank
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-034
Calf Crusher
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-035
Calf Slicer
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-036
Gi Tail Choke
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-037
Goose Neck Wrist Lock
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-038
Reverse Calf Slicer
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-039
Scissor Choke
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-040
Wrist Lock
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-041
Z-Lock
Guarding
Long
2/10
SUB-042
Reverse Wrist Lock
Guarding
Long
1/10
SUB-043
Straight Wristlock
Guarding
Long
1/10
//05—Linked positions

Browse the graph.

Control80
Side Control
Lying across torso - cross-body pressure control
15 ↗ transitionsControlling
Guard60
De La Riva
Shin hook behind leg - off-balance, sweeps, back takes
19 ↗ transitionsGuarding
Guard62
Reverse De La Riva
Reverse leg hook engaged - inverted angles, back access
12 ↗ transitionsGuarding
Control82
Back Control
Over-under grip - upper body control from back
7 ↗ transitionsControlling
// Matrix Guard · Guard

Read this position
on your phone.

Open Matrix Guard in Grapla for the full detail block, all 19 outbound transitions, the counter graph, and the option to log this position straight to your journal.

Download on the
App Store