Make your guard stubborn with distance layers, pummeling, and recoveries you can pressure-test in games.
The Bottom Line
A structured, modern approach to keeping your guard against common passes. You get distance frameworks, counters, and ways to train them. Expect some inversion and mobility work; beginners may want an escape primer first.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: You want guard never passed
Skip if: You avoid inversion entirely
Tech focus: Guard Retention, Leg Pummeling, Knee Shield Defense, Headquarters Defense, Late Stage Recovery, Distance Management
Biggest takeaway: Distance layers decide retention.
📋 Jump to a section (Click to expand)
What You'll Learn
Ecological training needs layered retention so your games start from realistic, contested positions. This anthology gives a clear map of distances and responses.
It includes how to train retention and late-stage recoveries, which fits constraint-led rounds where you begin in disadvantage.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Guard Retention
- Inversion Options
- Leg Pummeling
- Knee Shield Defense
- Headquarters Defense
- Late Stage Recovery
- Distance Management
- Outside Positioning
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Format: Both
- Volumes: 8
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I like how the set teaches where to start rounds and what distances to protect.
Why Lachlan Giles & Ariel Tabak?
Lachlan Giles is an ADCC absolute medalist and respected coach; Ariel Tabak is a guard retention specialist who co-teaches a complete retention system. Together they present layered distances, leg pummeling, and recovery paths. The set includes guidance on training methods as well as techniques.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Must-buy; improved my open guard quickly.
- Concise, well-paced, and no fluff.
- Changed how I think about retention; superb structure.
- Great value even at full price; production is excellent.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Too advanced for some; mobility demands and some inversion.
- Skews toward lighter-weight retention style.
- Overlap with Submeta for some users.
Smart Alternatives
- Guard Retention Anthology: Around & Under – Complements this set with over/around passing counters.
- Pin Escapes & Turtle Escapes: Go Further Faster – If you need core escape principles first. (Price: $197.00)
Sources & References
Official listing: View Guard Retention Anthology: Through the Legs & Close Range on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
