Purple Belt Roadmap
Build a connected game: a primary guard, a passing identity, and finishing chains from dominant positions.
Learning Objectives
- Choose a primary open-guard identity and a matching passing style.
- Connect guard entries to sweeps, back takes, and a short finishing list.
- Hold and advance pins with pressure instead of stalling in side control.
- Learn safe leg-entanglement entries and exits without collecting random attacks.
Weeks 1-4: Guard Identity
Pick one open-guard family and learn how you enter, retain, and off-balance from it.
Butterfly Guard Entries
IntermediateSit to butterfly from standing and from collapsed half guard with underhooks ready.
De La Riva Control
IntermediateEstablish DLR with a far-sleeve or collar grip and keep the hooked leg loaded.
Collar-Sleeve Off-Balancing
IntermediateUse collar-sleeve to force posture breaks and create sweep or back-take angles.
Weeks 5-8: Passing Identity
Build one passing lane you can return to when the first attempt stalls.
Body-Lock Pressure Pass
IntermediateLock the hips, walk the feet, and flatten the guard player without chasing legs.
Headquarters to Knee Cut
IntermediateHold headquarters, kill the bottom hook, then cut the knee when the frame dies.
Long Step vs Open Guard
IntermediateClear the near hook, long-step the hips, and recapture upper-body control.
Weeks 9-12: Back Hunting
Turn every scramble into a seatbelt, not a reset to closed guard.
Seatbelt to Body Triangle
IntermediateConvert a loose seatbelt into a locked body triangle without giving up the choking arm.
Berimbolo to Back
AdvancedRotate under a standing DLR opponent and come up behind the hips with hooks ready.
Arm Drag to Back Take
IntermediateDrag the near arm, take the back angle, and insert the first hook before they square up.
Weeks 13-16: Entanglement Literacy
Enter and leave ashi positions on purpose so you are not surprised in no-gi.
Inside Ashi Control
AdvancedFind inside ashi from DLR or standing, then stabilize before hunting a finish.
Saddle Awareness and Exits
AdvancedRecognize saddle danger early and hip-escape or come up to a legal passing stance.
Heel Hook Defense
AdvancedHide the heel, keep the knee stacked, and extract toward the opponent rather than away.