The 10th Planet Rubber Guard is one of the most iconic and debated systems in modern jiu-jitsu. At the heart of Eddie Bravo’s 10th Planet system, it’s a high-control guard designed to break an opponent’s posture, shut down their offense, and create a non-stop chain of submission threats.
But for many, it’s a confusing web of flexible legs and weird-sounding names. This guide will demystify the Rubber Guard, breaking it down into its core components. We’ll show you the key positions, primary submission paths, and how to start implementing this powerful system, regardless of your flexibility.
Key Takeaways
- Posture Control is Everything: The primary goal of the Rubber Guard is to break your opponent’s posture, making it impossible for them to strike or pass.
- A System, Not a Single Move: It’s a series of connected positions (like Mission Control, New York, and Chill Dog) that flow into one another.
- Path to Submissions: Every position is designed to lead to high-percentage submissions, such as the Omoplata, Triangle, Gogoplata, and Armbars.
- Flexibility Helps, but Isn’t Required: While flexibility is an asset, the system can be adapted to accommodate different body types using specific techniques and angles.
What is the Rubber Guard & Why Use It?
Traditional closed guard can be a stalemate. If you can’t break your opponent’s posture, you can’t attack, and they are free to start trying to pass. The Rubber Guard solves this problem.
By using your leg to clamp down on your opponent’s back, you physically pull their head down, breaking their posture with your body’s structure, not just your arm strength. From this broken posture, you have complete control to set up your attacks while they are forced to defend.
The Control System: Core Positions
Mastering the Rubber Guard means understanding its main control points. Think of these as checkpoints on your way to a submission.
- Mission Control: This is the home base. You have your opponent in guard, you’ve cleared one of their arms, and you’ve brought your same-side leg high up on their back to control their posture. Your other hand is typically controlling their other wrist or bicep.
- New York: From Mission Control, you transition your controlling leg from their back to over their arm, trapping it. You do this by grabbing your ankle with your hand and pulling it into position. This traps their arm and tightens your control, setting up the Omoplata.
- Chill Dog: If you are struggling to get your leg over their shoulder from Mission Control, you can use Chill Dog. You place the foot of your free leg on your opponent’s hip, use it to shrimp out slightly, and create a better angle to bring your attacking leg higher up their back.
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Drills to Master the Guard
Flow Drill: Don’t just hold the positions—flow between them. With a partner, practice transitioning from Closed Guard -> Mission Control -> New York -> Chill Dog -> Mission Control. The smoother your transitions, the harder it will be to stop.
Flexibility & Mobility: You don’t need to be a contortionist, but hip mobility is key. Regularly practice butterfly stretches, hip flexor stretches, and hamstring stretches to maintain flexibility. This will make it easier to get your leg high on your opponent’s back and maintain control.
Summary
The 10th Planet Rubber Guard is a deep and sophisticated system, but it’s built on simple principles: break their posture, control the position, and attack relentlessly. By focusing on mastering core positions, such as Mission Control, and drilling the transitions between them, you can turn your guard into your most effective weapon on the mat.
Unlocking the Rubber Guard FAQs
Do I need to be super flexible to play Rubber Guard?
No. While flexibility helps, using proper angles, hip movement (such as the Chill Dog), and hand-assisted positioning (grabbing your ankle to move your leg) allows less flexible individuals to play an effective Rubber Guard.
What’s the biggest mistake beginners make?
The most common mistake is focusing only on the submission. They try to jump to the Omoplata without first establishing solid control in Mission Control. You must win the posture battle first.
Is the Rubber Guard effective in MMA?
Yes, it was designed specifically for mixed martial arts (MMA). It provides excellent control to prevent an opponent from posturing up to land ground-and-pound strikes.
What is the best way to start learning?
Start with one goal: achieving and holding Mission Control on a resisting partner. Once you can consistently control your partner’s posture, you can begin adding in the transitions to New York and beyond.
