Company Guard
Inverted open-guard structure that sandwiches the passer between crossed legs — a high-control platform for sweeps and back takes.
Overview
Company guard is an inverted open-guard configuration where your legs wrap and sandwich the opponent between them, often after an inversion or failed pass. It creates strong off-balancing and back-take threats while keeping the passer’s hips connected to your hooks.
Position Flow
How to Enter
- Invert from open or de la Riva when they pressure your near side
- Recover after a toreando or knee-cut attempt by catching a leg and rolling underneath
- Transition from waiter’s or X-guard when they step into your crossed hooks
How to Exit
- Sweep to top when they overbalance trying to stand free
- Back take when they turn away from the sandwich
- X-guard or single-leg X if one leg clears and the other stays trapped
- Technical stand-up if they disengage and you reclaim your base
Key Controls
- Crossed legs sandwiching their torso or near hip line
- Upper-body grips on sleeve, collar, wrist, or ankle to stop them clearing space
- Active hip connection so the sandwich stays structural, not loose
Vulnerabilities
- Smash pressure that pins your shoulders before hooks settle
- Knee-on-belly or floating passes when the sandwich is shallow
- Neck exposure if you invert without protecting your head
Ideal When
You want an inverted retention layer that turns pass pressure into sweeps and back exposure.
OffenseOffense
Goals
- Keep the sandwich tight while forcing them to plant or turn
- Convert their clearing attempts into sweeps or back takes
Key Techniques
- Company sweep to side control when they stand tall
- Berimbolo-style back exposures from the inverted angle
- Waiter’s sweep chains if they step over a shallow hook
Pro Tips
- Protect your neck before celebrating the inversion
- Pull them into the sandwich; do not chase with loose legs
Common Mistakes
- Inverting without a connection and getting stacked
- Letting both of their feet plant outside your hooks
DefenseDefense
Goals
- Kill the sandwich and reclaim posture above their hips
- Clear one hook at a time without turning your back
Key Techniques
- Heavy base with hands framing their hips
- Knee-down smash to flatten the inverted player
- Long-step or floating pass once one hook loosens
Pro Tips
- Do not hop over unfinished company hooks
- Address the near hook first; the far hook alone rarely finishes
Common Mistakes
- Pulling straight up and handing them elevation
- Turning away early and offering the back
Variations
Classic company sandwich under a standing passerCompany to waiter’s sweep when they step overCompany to berimbolo / back-take chains
Key Concepts
- Company is a sandwich: connection beats athleticism
- Inversion is a tool, not a style — exit when control dies
- Sweeps and back takes should threaten together
Recommended Drills
- Open-guard inversion to company retention with cooperative pressure
- Company sweep to top consolidation
- Hook-clear rounds where the passer only tries to stand free
Summary
Company guard sandwiches the passer between crossed legs from an inverted angle. Protect your neck, keep the hooks connected, and convert clearing attempts into sweeps or back takes before they smash you flat.