The 50/50 Rubber Guard: Techniques and Tips

Here’s a comprehensive guide on executing the 50/50 rubber guard, detailing tips for effective application in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The 50/50 rubber guard is a fascinating and complex position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) that offers various entry points and techniques. Although it isn’t a high percentage move that will work in a lot of cases, it’s just fun! In our goal of mixing effective, beautiful, and unexpected moves, this move checks two of those boxes. In this post, we will explore the fundamentals of the 50/50 rubber guard, including essential drills and tips to enhance your skills.

Understanding the 50/50 Rubber Guard

The 50/50 rubber guard is a hybrid position that combines elements of the rubber guard and the 50/50 guard. It allows practitioners to control their opponent while setting up submissions or sweeps. This position can be particularly effective for leg locks and other attacks.

Basic Leg Lock Flow to 50/50

To effectively transition into the 50/50 rubber guard, it is crucial to master the basic leg lock flow. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the drill:

1. Starting Position: Begin on the outside circle with your legs inside.
2. Grabbing Ankles: Reach for both of your opponent’s ankles and scoot closer to them.
3. Attacking the Leg: Once you have a grip on the ankles, shoot your leg through, ensuring your balls are on their knee. This positioning is critical for effective leg locks.
4. Key Positioning: Remember the mantra “balls to knee”; this is essential for maintaining control. Place your foot on their hip and pinch your knees together to establish the ashi garami position.
5. Transitioning to 50/50: From here, drop your knee to create an 80/20 position, which sets you up for the next steps.

Entering the Rubber Guard

Once you have established the 50/50 position, you can begin to work into the rubber guard:

1. Fighting for Control: As you engage with your opponent, they may attempt to block your movements. If they do, pull them in closer to you.
2. Arm Positioning: Keep your arm on the outside while bringing your knee up and your foot across to establish the rubber guard.
3. Maintaining Structure: It is crucial to have your hand on the mat outside the rubber guard to maintain stability and control.

Executing the Rubber Guard Techniques

With the rubber guard established, you can begin to execute various techniques:

1. Far Hand Reach: When your opponent’s far hand reaches for your toe, use this opportunity to flip them over into an 80/20 position.
2. Pulling Them In: As they come in, pull them closer while keeping your arm outside your leg. This positioning is key to maintaining control.
3. Knee to Shoulder: Bring your knee to your shoulder, allowing your foot to cross over. This movement helps in securing your opponent’s arm.
4. Grabbing the Elbow: Use both hands to grab their elbow, pulling them in while hooking your toes into their armpit.
5. Final Grip: You can either hold their heel with a simple grip or bring your wrist onto their heel for additional control.

Conclusion

The 50/50 rubber guard is a novel position that requires luck, practice and precision. By mastering the basic leg lock flow and understanding the key elements of the rubber guard, you can add to your strang and unusual and rarely successful arsenal. However, this position is fun and is beautiful if you can actually pull it off. Let us know if you can get one on anyone! Happy training!