Turn sit-up guard into back takes, sweeps, and takedowns with simple grips and timing.
The Bottom Line
You will learn entries from shin-to-shin and standard sleeves, plus collar drags to ankle picks and singles. You will not need inversions or berimbolos. The drills teach weight shifts so sweeps end on top with control rather than scrambles.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Seated guard starters
Skip if: You only play closed guard
Tech focus: Sit Up Guard, Collar Drag, Ankle Pick, Single Leg, Back Takes, Shin To Shin Entries, Lapel Control
Biggest takeaway: Angles beat posture consistently.
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What You'll Learn
A sit-up guard blueprint that ties collar drags, ankle picks, and single legs to simple back-take routes. It stresses weight distribution, shin-to-shin entries, and finishing to dominant tops.
Good for players who dislike being flat and want a day-one guard that scales.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Sit Up Guard
- Collar Drag
- Ankle Pick
- Single Leg
- Shin To Shin Entries
- Back Takes
- Lapel Control
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: Both
- Runtime: 1 hour and 50 minutes
- Volumes: 3
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I like that every sweep has a plan to finish on top without a scramble.
Why Thomas Rozdzynski?
Thomas is a 3rd-degree black belt and podcast host who favors simple guards that convert to takedown-like finishes. His sit-up approach emphasizes posture, angle, and weight shifts over speed.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Commenters liked his seated reversal option when posture control is lost.
- Sit-up guard rewards posture and angle, not flexibility or speed.
- Older grapplers appreciate minimal neck loading compared to inversions.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Closed-guard purists argue seated guards can stall against patient kneeling passers.
- Without strong grips, standers can step out of basic entries.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- Closed Guard Systems (general alternatives) – If you prefer classic supine control over seated guards.
- Around & Under: Guard Retention (Giles/Tabak) – Helps you keep grips to enter sit-up safely.
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View Gravity Is Your Friend: Sit Up Guard Sweeps on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.