Spider Guard: Complete BJJ Gi Control System

Spider Guard: Complete BJJ Gi Control System – Langhi & Lovato

By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by competitive black belts specializing in spider guard systems | Last Updated: January 11, 2026

The Spider Guard is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most versatile gi-specific guard position. Using sleeve grips and feet placement on the biceps to control your opponent’s upper body, spider guard creates powerful sweeps, submissions, and transitions that have proven effective from white belt to world championship level.

According to Evolve MMA’s spider guard analysis, the spider guard is a gi-based guard where you place your feet on your opponent’s biceps to block the upper body while holding the sleeves to manipulate posture. This venerable guard has stood the test of time and proven its worth in many high-level competitions.

BJJ Fanatics emphasizes that world-class level grapplers like Romulo Barral, Rubens Charles, Rafael Lovato Jr., Michael Langhi, and Renzo Gracie have all utilized the spider guard in IBJJF competition matches with great success. The spider guard is more than just a position—it’s a comprehensive system that all athletes need to learn if they want to be successful.

After coaching hundreds of students and using spider guard in gi competition, I’ve found it’s the fundamental gi guard that complements De La Riva perfectly. While DLR controls the lower body with leg entanglements, spider guard dominates the upper body with arm control and sleeve grips. Together, they create complete gi guard systems.

Whether you’re a blue belt building gi-specific guards or a brown belt refining championship strategies, mastering spider guard mechanics gives you the dominant gi control system that works against opponents of all sizes.

What Is the Spider Guard?

The spider guard is a position where you secure grips on both sleeves of your opponent before placing one or both feet on the inside of their biceps.

Core Spider Guard Components:

Sleeve grips on both arms (gi) or wrist grips (no-gi)
One or both feet on opponent’s biceps
Foot control blocks upper body
Sleeve control manipulates posture
Creates separation between arms and body
Natural body shifting to one side
Platform for sweeps, submissions, transitions

BJJ Fanatics explains: This control with their feet will block the upper body off the opponent, while the grip on the sleeve will help to control their posture. The spider guard is an extremely good controlling position for launching into sweep maneuvers, submission attacks, and various other transitional movements.

Understanding what is guard in BJJ helps you see why spider guard is so effective—you control their arms and posture completely, preventing passes while creating attacks.

The Spider Guard History

Origins and Development

BJJ Fanatics describes: The spider guard was developed mainly to be a defensive weapon against bigger and stronger opponents.

Historical Development:

Created by Helio and Carlos Gracie (early days)
Commonly stepped on hip with foot in bicep
Used for triangle submissions initially
Also used in 1940s Judo for takedowns
Natural development in 1980s BJJ

Early Pioneers:

Renzo Gracie: First seen using spider guard in competition against heavy opponents in open weight division
Mauricio “Tinguinha” Mariano: Credited with many early developments in spider guard system
Believed spider guard was natural evolution transitioning in/out of closed guard

BJJ Fanatics notes: Mauricio firmly believes that the spider guard is more than just a position, as it is more of a system that all athletes need to learn comprehensively if they want to be successful.

Modern Champions

Contemporary Masters:

Michael Langhi (famous for impassable guard)
Romulo Barral
Rafael Lovato Jr.
Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles
Keenan Cornelius
“Masa” (known for exceptional spider guard)

These champions proved spider guard effectiveness at the highest competition levels.

Entering the Spider Guard

Classic Entry from Closed Guard

Evolve MMA teaches: Rafael Lovato Jr. explains a simple entry starting from closed guard gripping the sleeves.

Entry Sequence:

1. Establish Grips

Start in closed guard
Secure sleeve grips on both arms
Control wrists firmly

2. Open Guard

Open your guard
Place knees to inside position
Position between their elbows

3. Enter Spider

Choose a side
Place foot on opponent’s bicep
Extend leg

4. Body Shift

Your body position naturally shifts toward extended leg
Don’t resist this shift
Focus on making guard tight
Goal: separate their arm from rest of body

5. Switch Sides

Place other foot on opposite bicep
Step on the one previously extended
Naturally shifts body to other side
Great drill for beginners

No-Gi Spider Guard

BJJ Fanatics notes: The difference with this position in No Gi is instead of using grips on the sleeve, the athlete will simply utilize wrist grips.

No-Gi Modifications:

Wrist grips instead of sleeve grips
Same foot placement on biceps
Same mechanics and attacks
Less common but still effective

Spider guard is primarily a gi position but can work no-gi with adaptations.

Essential Spider Guard Movements

Evolve MMA emphasizes: Once you establish the spider guard, you must understand the most common movements to retain the position.

Five Fundamental Movements

1. Side Switching

Switch extended leg from one side to other
Natural body shift occurs
Maintains control during transitions
Basic retention drill

2. Hip Lifting

Great trick to lift hips inside spider guard
Important concept for triangle choke attacks
Creates submission opportunities
Essential mechanical skill

3. Reverse Shoulder Rolls

Great movement for sweeps requiring rolls
Such as balloon sweep
Recovery technique
Advanced retention

4. Grip Breaking and Lasso Entry

Essential technique for entering lasso spider guard
Lasso guard: loop leg on opponent’s arm
Very controlling guard
Lots of attacking options

5. Granby Rolls

Great technique to recover guard
Can be used in variety of positions
Advanced movement skill
Retention under pressure

Spider Guard Sweeps

Kite Sweep (Basic Spider Sweep)

Evolve MMA teaches: BJJ black belt Kris Kim teaches the basic spider guard sweep (kite sweep) which is very similar to the scissor sweep.

Execution:

Extend leg into opponent’s bicep
This already compromises their balance
Underhook their opposite leg (or grip gi pants)
Use leverage to push opponent in same direction as extended leg
Push opponent down toward mat
Use leg grip to lift and circle leg down
Force opponent’s back onto mat
Transition to side control

Classic move effective up to black belt level.

Double Ankle Sweep

BJJ Fanatics describes: Once opponent steps too close, simultaneously let go of wrist controls, switching hands and cupping back of both ankles.

Setup:

Opponent places both feet toward your hips
Trying to shake off arm control
They step too close

Execution:

Let go of wrist controls
Switch hands cupping both ankles
Switch foot from bicep
Push both feet into their hips
Lift ankles upward
Forces them flat on back
Keep holding ankles (prevents 50/50 scramble)
Direct feet away from body
Maneuver into control position

Balloon Sweep

BJJ Fanatics teaches: Opponent leans too far over your abdomen giving opportunity to slip both feet into their hips.

Mechanics:

Both feet slip into opponent’s hips
Pull wrists backward
Extend feet straight up
Lifts opponent off mat entirely
Kick them to side (jump to side control)
Or roll over shoulder kicking over head
Follow trajectory landing in mount

High-amplitude sweep with multiple finishing options.

Hook Sweep

From raised leg:

Setup:

Opponent lifts leg in reaction
You’re at angle for sweeping
Near opponent

Finish:

Hook raised leg
Execute sweep
Especially effective close range

Spider Guard Submissions

Triangle Choke

BJJ Fanatics describes: Flare out opponent’s elbow with spider control while simultaneously stepping on hip with other leg.

Setup:

Flare opponent’s elbow (spider control leg)
Step on hip with other leg
Use foot on hip to lift own hips
Better clearance rate

Execution:

Spider control leg shoots over neck
Secure triangle choke
Lift hips before shooting
Important to bait with sweep first
Wait for post
Then shoot triangle

Study complete triangle guide for detailed mechanics.

Omoplata

BJJ Fanatics teaches: Setting up the omoplata from spider guard can be one of the most simple attacks and most effective.

Simple Setup (Standing Opponent):

Place one foot on opponent’s hip
Use spider control leg to extend their arm away
Slide hip foot up behind their arm
Over front of shoulder
Catch omoplata position

Lasso Variation:

Spider control one bicep
Lasso grip with other leg
Flare opponent’s elbow (spider control)
Release sleeve grip
Regrip opposite collar (lasso side)
Still apply pressure with spider foot
Kick lasso leg through
Enter omoplata position

Considering omoplata can be sweep OR submission, this makes it extremely successful.

Armbar

Michael Langhi’s Setup:

Use spider to swivel body perpendicular to opponent
Break grip on far pant leg
Pull sleeve right onto your rib
Swing free leg over head
Secure armbar

Failed sweep usually leads to submission series starting with triangle.

Spider Guard Transitions

To Back Control

BJJ Fanatics notes: Setting up spider control can force opponent to make hasty decisions when attempting to escape.

Back Take:

Spider control on bicep
Switch grips using cross grip on wrist
Opens entry toward back
Use hook around outside of hip
Find entry into back take
Berimbolo and crab rides also available

Study berimbolo for advanced back takes.

To Other Guards

Guard Transitions:

Lasso guard: Easily accessed from spider
X-Guard: Available from spider control
De La Riva: Natural companion guard
Baiting opponent into incorrect step creates switch opportunities

Using these transitions makes it extremely hard for opponent to defend or escape.

Defending Spider Guard

BJJ Fanatics teaches: One of the most fundamental concepts of passing spider guard is to utilize great posture.

Core Defense Principles

1. Proper Posture

Don’t stand upright
Lower body into squatting position
Use strong base
Upset control positions

2. Upset Leverage

Retract elbows back into own body
Inhibits opponent from accessing spider control
Prevents foot establishing bicep position

3. Step Backwards

Stepping forward helps sweeps/submissions
Stepping back forces them to reach more
Reduces their range of maneuvers
Don’t lower onto knees (easier to sweep)

4. Break Grips

Let go of own grips on opponent’s pants first
Circle arm underneath leg on outside
Push through onto inside of leg
Creates leverage forcing grip to break

Understanding knee slice pass helps because proper passing defeats spider guard.

Training Spider Guard by Belt Level

For White/Blue Belts: Building Foundations

Start with fundamentals:

Priorities:

Master basic entry from closed guard
Practice five fundamental movements
Learn kite sweep first (easiest)
Develop proper body shifting
Understand grip control

Resources about first BJJ class expectations help beginners understand guard progression.

Evolve MMA emphasizes: Don’t take any shortcuts and try to drill these positions on both sides.

For Purple/Brown Belts: System Development

Build complete systems:

Development:

Master all major sweeps
Perfect triangle and omoplata entries
Study Michael Langhi footage
Develop lasso guard variations
Practice transitions to DLR and X-Guard
Chain submissions together

Exploring blue belt development goals helps structure spider guard integration.

For Black Belts: Mastery

Perfect championship-level systems:

Master Level:

Develop signature spider sequences
Teach fundamental movements effectively
Perfect invisible adjustments
Create innovative combinations
Master both spider and lasso variations

Competition Strategy

IBJJF Gi Competition

Spider guard dominates gi competition:

Strategic Advantages:

Gi-specific control (sleeve grips)
Creates sweep opportunities (2 points)
Opens submission attacks
Works against all sizes
Legal at all belt levels

Champions like Michael Langhi prove effectiveness at highest levels.

Integration with DLR System

Spider guard + DLR = complete gi control:

The Combination:

DLR: Controls lower body with leg hooks
Spider Guard: Controls upper body with arm control
Flow between both creates unstoppable systems
Transitions seamless
Opponent can’t defend both simultaneously

This combination is foundation of modern gi guard play.

The Spider Guard Legacy

From the Gracie family’s early development to Michael Langhi’s impassable guard, spider guard represents gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most complete upper body control system. What makes it special isn’t complexity—it’s the simple principle of controlling the sleeves and placing feet on biceps to dominate posture and create attacks.

Mauricio “Tinguinha” Mariano developed spider guard as a comprehensive system, not just a position. Michael Langhi proved it works against world champions. And forty years from now, gi grapplers will still be using spider guard because the control principles are timeless.

The spider guard proves a fundamental BJJ truth: people of all ages and body types can use spider guard to great effect as it does not require significant strength or explosiveness to work. Simple mechanics, practiced consistently, create championship-level guards.

Whether you’re combining with DLR, attacking triangles, or sweeping to mount, spider guard provides the complete gi control system that works at every level.

How We Reviewed This Article

Editorial Standards: Technical information verified through Rafael Lovato Jr. instructional content, Michael Langhi competition footage, and contemporary spider guard specialists. Mechanical analysis reviewed by competitive black belts using spider guard in tournament settings. Historical information verified through documentation of Gracie family development and Mauricio “Tinguinha” Mariano contributions. Strategic applications based on IBJJF competition analysis (1980s-2025).

Sources Referenced:

Evolve MMA spider guard complete guide
BJJ Fanatics spider guard system analysis
Rafael Lovato Jr. fundamentals
Michael Langhi guard system
Mauricio “Tinguinha” Mariano historical development
Modern competition footage

Last Updated: January 11, 2026

Spider Guard: The Complete Gi Control System