10th Planet No-Gi Guard System

Guard System Advanced difficulty

What is 10th Planet No-Gi Guard System?

This guide connects several 10th Planet guard ideas, including rubber guard and lockdown half guard.

This guide connects several 10th Planet guard ideas, including rubber guard and lockdown half guard. Study one control and one exit at a time. The linked Eddie Bravo instructional is particularly relevant to the rubber guard and bottom half guard portions.

Use the implementation sequence to choose a training focus, the connected techniques to study each position, and the course recommendation to explore a detailed video explanation. This is BJJGraph’s study guide; it is not an official course outline or a substitute for coached practice.

Study this system with BJJ Fanatics

Explore a relevant instructional alongside this guide. Check the syllabus and sample on BJJ Fanatics to decide whether it suits your training.

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The Ultimate Rubber Guard

with Eddie Bravo

Who it suits: Students exploring 10th Planet guard connections. Check the syllabus for your chosen branch; this is broader than a single finish.

Eddie explains rubber guard development, an omoplata pathway, guard variations and bottom half guard.

View course & syllabus on BJJ Fanatics →

Core Principles

• Flexibility and hip mobility enable unconventional control positions
• Break posture through overhooks and leg control rather than gi grips
• Create submission chains where defensive responses open new attacks
• Use unfamiliarity as a tactical advantage in competition
• Integrate striking defense considerations for MMA applications
• Systematic progression from control to submission
• Embrace inverted and unconventional positions for strategic advantage

Key Components

Rubber Guard Series (Dominant closed guard control leading to high-percentage submissions) The rubber guard positions (Mission Control, New York, Meathook, Chill Dog, Carni) use the leg to control the opponent’s posture while creating overhook control. This system breaks traditional posture recovery and opens pathways to triangles, omoplatas, and gogoplatas through systematic transitions.

Lockdown System (Transform defensive half guard into offensive attacking position) From half guard, the lockdown uses both legs to trap the opponent’s leg, preventing passing while enabling sweeps and electric chair submissions. This component provides defensive stability and offensive opportunities from bottom half guard, particularly effective against pressure passing.

Twister Path (Capitalize on scrambles and turtle positions with submission threats) The truck position and twister series create unique submission opportunities from turtle, scrambles, and back takes. This pathway includes calf slicers, banana splits, and the signature twister submission, providing attacks from positions opponents rarely defend.

Flexibility Protocol (Physical preparation enabling execution of system positions) Systematic stretching and mobility work targeting hip flexors, hamstrings, and spinal rotation enables the deep positions required for rubber guard and twister attacks. This component includes specific warm-up sequences and progressive flexibility development essential for system execution.

Implementation Sequence

1. Foundation Building: Develop fundamental flexibility and become comfortable in basic rubber guard and lockdown positions Key points:

• Daily hip flexor and hamstring stretching
• Practice basic rubber guard control (Mission Control)
• Learn lockdown mechanics from half guard
• Develop comfort in inverted positions
• Build conditioning for maintaining unusual positions

2. Rubber Guard Pathways: Master the progression through rubber guard positions and their submission endings Key points:

• Mission Control to New York transition
• New York to triangle setup
• Meathook control and omoplata paths
• Chill Dog to gogoplata connections
• Invisible Collar control maintenance

3. Lockdown Integration: Implement lockdown system from half guard with sweep and submission chains Key points:

• Lockdown entry from various half guard positions
• Old school sweep mechanics
• Electric chair submission pathway
• Lockdown to back take transitions
• Combining lockdown with whip-up techniques

4. Twister Series: Develop truck position entries and twister submission sequences Key points:

• Truck entry from turtle and scrambles
• Calf slicer from truck position
• Twister control and finish mechanics
• Banana split variations
• Transitions between truck attacks

5. System Integration: Connect all subsystems into cohesive guard game with strategic transitions Key points:

• Rubber guard to lockdown transitions
• Lockdown to truck pathways
• Recognizing which pathway to pursue based on opponent reactions
• Combining striking defense with guard retention
• Competition strategy and pacing

6. Advanced Applications: Refine timing, develop counters to common defenses, and adapt system for competition Key points:

• Counter opponent’s rubber guard defenses
• Advanced lockdown variations
• Twister entries from unexpected positions
• MMA-specific applications
• Teaching methodology for coaching others

Where to begin in the instructional

For the omoplata route, start in Volume 1. Bottom half guard and further guard variations appear in Volume 4.

BJJGraph earns a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what the graph teaches.

Explore the course contents on BJJ Fanatics: The Ultimate Rubber Guard →

What Challenges Will You Face?

• Insufficient flexibility limiting rubber guard depth: Implement dedicated daily stretching protocol targeting hip flexors and hamstrings. Progress gradually through rubber guard positions, starting with Mission Control before attempting deeper positions like Meathook or Chill Dog. Use yoga and specific 10th Planet stretching sequences.
• Opponents standing up and escaping lockdown: Maintain active lockdown pressure and immediately transition to Old School sweep when opponent attempts to stand. Use whip-up motion and off-balancing before opponent establishes base. Practice lockdown retention drills against standing escape attempts.
• Difficulty entering truck position from scrambles: Drill specific truck entries from turtle and failed guard pass positions. Focus on timing the entry when opponent’s weight is forward. Practice calf slicer grip as primary truck entry mechanism. Study common scramble patterns to recognize truck opportunities.
• Lack of sparring partners familiar with 10th Planet positions: Use positional sparring starting from specific 10th Planet positions. Educate training partners on basic defenses to create realistic resistance. Attend 10th Planet seminars or visit affiliate schools for specialized training. Film training to review position execution independently.
• Overreliance on flexibility instead of technical precision: Focus on mechanical understanding of each position’s control points. Practice positions at submaximal flexibility ranges to develop technical proficiency. Study Danaher’s systematic analysis of guard retention principles. Balance flexibility training with technical drilling.

How to Measure Your Progress

Rubber Guard Control Retention: Ability to maintain rubber guard positions against escape attempts and establish submission pathways Proficiency indicators:

• Consistently achieve Mission Control from closed guard
• Transition between rubber guard positions fluidly
• Finish triangles and omoplatas from rubber guard positions
• Maintain control for 30+ seconds against resistance

Lockdown Effectiveness: Success rate with lockdown sweeps and submissions from half guard Proficiency indicators:

• Enter lockdown from various half guard scenarios
• Execute Old School sweep with 40%+ success rate
• Threaten electric chair causing opponent reactions
• Prevent passing while in lockdown position

Truck Position Entries: Recognition and execution of truck position opportunities during scrambles and transitions Proficiency indicators:

• Enter truck from turtle 60%+ of opportunities
• Recognize truck entries during guard pass scrambles
• Maintain truck control against escape attempts
• Finish calf slicer or twister from truck position

System Integration: Seamless connection between rubber guard, lockdown, and twister subsystems based on position flow Proficiency indicators:

• Transition from rubber guard to lockdown when appropriate
• Convert failed lockdown sweeps to truck entries
• Recognize optimal pathway selection based on opponent reactions
• Chain attacks across different subsystems

How to Train This System Effectively

Drilling Approach

The 10th Planet system requires specialized drilling that emphasizes position familiarization and flexibility development. Begin each session with the 10th Planet warm-up sequence (hip rotations, butterfly stretches, rubber guard pulls). Use progressive resistance drilling where training partners gradually increase defensive intensity as practitioner comfort develops. Implement position-specific rounds (rubber guard only, lockdown only, truck only) before integrating full system sparring. Film training regularly to review position mechanics and identify technical errors. Dedicate at least 20% of training time to flexibility and mobility work, as physical preparation directly enables position execution.

Progression Path

White Belt Foundation (Focus: Basic flexibility development, Mission Control familiarity, lockdown mechanics) - 6-12 months Blue Belt Development (Focus: Rubber guard transitions, Old School sweeps, basic truck entries) - 12-18 months Purple Belt Integration (Focus: System connections, submission finishes, competition application) - 18-24 months Brown Belt Mastery (Focus: Advanced variations, counter to defenses, teaching methodology) - 24+ months Black Belt Innovation (Focus: Personal variations, MMA integration, system evolution) - Ongoing

Common Mistakes

• Attempting advanced positions without adequate flexibility preparation
• Forcing rubber guard positions when opponent posture is too strong
• Neglecting lockdown pressure and allowing opponent to escape easily
• Missing truck entries during scrambles due to unfamiliarity with timing
• Overcommitting to submissions without maintaining positional control
• Training only the offensive aspects without developing defensive counters
• Ignoring traditional guard fundamentals in favor of exotic positions

Which Positions, Transitions, and Principles Connect to This System?

• Rubber Guard (Position) - Primary position family for entire system
• Mission Control (Position) - Foundational rubber guard control position
• New York (Position) - Key rubber guard position for triangle setups
• Meathook (Position) - Advanced rubber guard control for omoplata paths
• Chill Dog (Position) - Rubber guard position for gogoplata attacks
• Lockdown (Position) - Core half guard control mechanism
• Electric Chair (Position) - Submission position from lockdown system
• Truck (Position) - Central position for twister series attacks
• Twister Control (Position) - Finishing position for signature submission
• Inverted Guard (Position) - Transitional position in system flow
• Triangle Setup (Transition) - Primary finishing path from rubber guard
• Omoplata Sweep (Transition) - Alternative attack from rubber guard positions
• Old School Sweep (Transition) - Primary sweep from lockdown position
• Truck Entry (Transition) - Entry mechanism to twister series
• Triangle from Guard (Submission) - Primary submission finish from rubber guard
• Omoplata (Submission) - Alternative submission from rubber guard positions
• Gogoplata (Submission) - Advanced submission from Chill Dog position
• Twister (Submission) - Signature submission finish from truck
• Calf Slicer (Submission) - Alternative finish from truck position
• Electric Chair (Submission) - Primary submission from lockdown system
• Frames (Principle) - Fundamental principle enabling guard maintenance and recovery
• Hip Escape Mechanics (Principle) - Hip mobility foundation enabling rubber guard and inverted positions
• Submission Chains (Principle) - Strategic framework connecting system attacks
• Fork Attacks (Principle) - Methodology for forcing opponents to choose between losing options
• 10th Planet Rubber Guard System (System) - Specialized subsystem focusing on rubber guard details
• 10th Planet Half Guard Bottom System (System) - Specialized subsystem focusing on lockdown variations
• Twister System (System) - Specialized subsystem for truck and twister attacks

Take one idea into your next session

Choose a control you can enter comfortably. Practise maintaining posture control without pulling your knee into a forced range.

BJJGraph earns a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what the graph teaches.

Check the sample and current price on BJJ Fanatics: The Ultimate Rubber Guard →