When & How To Use The Long Guard: Full Guide (Real Time Sparring Footage) 

What's your favourite guard??

The long guard has made the difference in me getting hit and not getting hit in both my sparring and my first fight! Thank you so much again for all your advice and knowledge Jeff! I'll have to continue working on all these other benefits of the long guard you've mentioned to truly optimize its use in training and fighting! 🙂

It had to have been so tedious to find that sparring footage for each sequence. You're incredible Jeff!

Went to sparring tonight and tried implementing the long guard in my rounds and I’ve gotta say, it has been a game changer! Typically, I enjoyed fighting inside the pocket (big Mike Tyson fan growing up) but I was never really successful because of my height or reach - but this guard has opened my eyes and I really saw an improvement. From catching more kicks, countering, and the general line of sight and reaction time I got from just managing distance using these techniques was SO good. Definitely something I’m going to continue using.

As a tall-ish leggy guy, Ive been implementing the long guard more during muay thai training and been finding some success. The advice to not paw down the incoming punches and instead deflect is gold, and I look forward to training this specific defensive method more. Ive been caught with one too many head kicks because i dropped my arm too far when pawing down a punch lol. Thanks a ton Jeff!

This is the standard for conducting combat tutorials. Demonstrate the technique, provide theory, troubleshoot idiosyncracies, & clip in live demonstrations through sparring/fights! 👊🏽💪🏼

i think its really great how you have countless examples of reallife sparring, you really practice what you preach

This was awesome. Please do more teaching videos like this with the key details and sparring footage.

I'm not a tall dude and I used to shell too much and fight in a certain way that made me look even smaller. I've always had a lot of success rolling with punches and kicks, parring and blocking, but I always had a hard time seeing what was coming after a few punches, also nullifying my aggression in the process, focusing too much on defense. Recently, I've been developing my long guard and improving my counters and overall aggression while sparring, all of it thanks to your videos! I thought my reaction time was sh*t, but it was all a matter of distance, thanks Jeff!

Long guard is one of the primary tools used by Larry Holmes and George Foreman , incredible defence when incorporating framing also. Awesome stuff :)

Long/High guard is my favorite as a long sticky boy (6'5 with legs). Jeff I saw you using your arms to frame, something I wanted to add (if I may) was how you can actually close that space yourself if you properly hand fight/clinch fight. Meaning a tall guy doesn't just have to retreat, they can actually just throw some powerful tools like a straight knee (the Schilt special). Basically you can pick your guard up, feint, hand fight, and then drop in close for a knee or elbow. I also think a powerful short (non standard) front kick is great for a long guard because you can easily kick safely from range, especially if they enter to hand fight. Choosing to enter/exit on your own! Also you can as you said with catching or deflecting a punch, when using high guard turn your lead arm/shoulder more (like you are throwing a punch) and you can hide behind your shoulders too. When I was training under one of the better MT coaches in Texas he told me the point of high guard is to defend yourself, not just push. So basically your lead arm pushing is also a hiding and safe spot for you!

You are one in a million or more. Im always surprised at how versatile you are in mma and the different combat sparts AND applying "infinite" number of techniques in real fights/sparring. May god bless you!

Amazing demo of long guard! Makes perfect sense. Similar idea as Wing Chun's hand position. One long one short. It works.

It's interesting people say Wing Chun is a useless martial art. But these blocks/deflection of punches are very similar to the blocks I learnt in Wing Chun as a kid. Anyways great vid Jeff, Cheers

On each of my Muay Thai training, I choose 1-2 of your combos / techniques, and I use them over and over on 1 training. Today I was doing sweeps. Well I'll try to mix them with long guard. With your tips, that actually might work great! Thanks!

I've watched quite a few of your videos and for me right now, this is the finest. An excellent breakdown of the mechanics, philosophy and realtime examples of a strong fundamental. I finally subscribed 👍🏽.

Love the long guard technique. As always, thank you for breaking it down AND demonstrating.

You are a great fighter I see you use different martial arts techniques in a unique style

I’m beginning my Muay Thai training and noticed one of my sparring partners at the end of each session uses the long guard. I’m still working on my footwork and being able to move strategically, but I think implementing this with my hands will help take the edge off so I can have more mental headspace to think. Instead of getting pelted every 3 seconds

Great video! highlighted some nuances of this guard that I didn’t know about. My favourite thing about your videos is that each one gives me inspiration for things to work on in sparring

Wow thanks! Ive been struggling for at least 3 month's. I started using the long gaurd and really helped me out. Im an older guy, so it helps me see whats coming.

This is probably the most helpful martial arts video for me. Your explanation of the Long Guard helped me a lot in sparring. I still need to hone it, but it is so worth it. Thank you, keep up the great work. Hopefully, I will be able to attend a seminar with at some point.

I love this. This is not taught enough in striking

I used to take the long guard for granted that is a great technical breakdown now I'm going to have to train this thanks again brother you post some amazing stuff

Great detailed explanation. Love it! Thank you Jeff.

Thanks for providing this mini seminar! Great material as usual

This is perfect timing for this video I have been struggling with this in muay thai. Long guard is such an integral tactic but I seem to be blinding myself when I use it. So I end up actually getting hit. I'll make sure to try these tips

I'm so thankful for this kind of videos you make! Good job!

Very precise with lots of exemples, loved it, being new to combat sports it's kinda hard to get a good grasp on what you should do when blocking or parrying, thanks for the work

hey Jeff Chan your videos are awesome with a ton of great info

Thanks Jeff! The long guard breakdown is something I needed for my game

Great tutorial man, you have a great use of this guard

Excellent vid 👍. Great content on long guard. The practical usage is the best as always. I can actually see it in action. Thanks 🙏

Jeff, this video is fantastic! As a traditional martial artist, I learned a lot just by watching. I' ll try to implement some of this ideas. Thanks a lot.

Very informative and useful, terrific job, always a great pleasure watching your videos and learning from you!👊

love your editing

Very educational video, thank you Sir 💕😎

Really interesting as usual ; there are some connections to the cross guard . Idk why but you're videos and techniques always have some kung-fu esque tactics ; there not only entertaining but precious : Excellent job sir !

You are a living genius

Thank god for people like you🙏🏾

Pereira utilizes these techniques exceptionally well

Ur the man jeff amazing detailed breakdown thank you!

jeffs the man!! another solid video.

Thank you Jeff, this helped me a lot. I am a tall person, keeping people away from me is key, this was opening up so much for me!

Awesome and very informative video, thank you!

Love this bro! Please keep more videos like this coming

This is one of the most AMAZING/HELPFUL instructional videos I’ve seen. Thank you!

such an awaited video

This is sick. So sick, in fact, the we absolutely need a part 2 where you show the countering system off of long guard deflections.

Thanks for the video! Great explanation. I feel like alot of effort goes into these videos

My favorite fight channel by farrr!

Excellent video 📹 I've seen so many variations. I really like this one thank you. Ouss

Best long guard video ever!

This is great, I've struggled with defending punches since I started Muay Thai.

Great video my dude

You're my best martial art educator

Thanks for this Jeff!🥊

Unreal! Thank you.

Damn glad you are receiving sponsorships now, Jeff, well deserved!!!

Thanks Jeff!

Combat is truly a gentleman's dance.

this is so great tips,love your channel man❤

As some bum untrained person with a good amount of street fights I feel like the better (also untrained) people that I’ve fought used this guard instinctively when being rushed. Seems like a lot of people’s instinct is to stick your arms out and “stop” or deflect whatever is coming your way. Great tutorial on how to use it properly. I definitely was “pawing” punches down. This is way more advanced of a guard than I originally thought

Thanks!

Send an ''SALVE'' from Brazil!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us,Jeff.

Great Video!!

Ur awesome man. Love the vids

Beautifully edited with your real time sparring as examples, it helps a lot. As a southpaw I've noticed that the lead hand often goes out to check jabs, so I'll try this. Anything else you should be careful with if you do long guard from open stance?

Great video!

Great stuff!

This is a great video! I'll have to use these next time I'm drilling with some friends. Thanks for making this!

Super useful, thank you Jeff.

Expert advice. Amazing!

Really good to transition and handtraps

Best video ever! I have been preaching this for years, but of course you just broke it down on an Expert level that I was never able to. I just always knew the Long Guard paired with Footwork is a far superior Strategy than to just Shell up and take damage, it has always annoyed me that so many Professionals do that on TV and teach it in Gyms. Shelling up and standing still is only for when your gassed and is a temporary solution, if you don't quickly incorporate Footwork too the fight will soon end. Shelling up and waiting for the right moment to counter is too high of a risk, too much of a Gamble.

Thank you for this video... This makes a lot of sense. I am excited to use this for saturday and see the difference.

Awesome Video!

love this. scary though, but i love the tutorial. thanks for sharing this.

I liked the video before I even watched it because I’ve been working on my long guard and this came at the perfect time.

Dope video! I hope you do more of these. Maybe one about the philly shell guard?

Great Long Guard video with guidance*****

I know nothing about the long guard . thnx your a great Coach

very informative, man. thanks!

very useful and important

Thanks for this. I learned a lot

I thought I'd lost a nut at my last training session! That sponsor at the start was perfectly timed for me to be in the market for a QUALITY groin guard! Especially in the lead up to my first muay thai fight 🙌

Man, this is sick🔥

Thank you!

Love this! It's been very helpful in my growth, and I've seen a great deal of success with it. I'd like some pointers on how to use this against a southpaw.

good job my bro ! ty

dude tanks alot! I just started sparring recently after 2 months of training alone, and I always back up when someone start throwing aggressive punches I immediately put myself in a static guard with no vision and I take all those punches with my body, I need to work on that new technique next session!!

Very efectiv. Ths for video

Thanks for the 10 out of 10 explanations and demo! This is MMA at its finest. I’ve started using the long guard ever since seeing it on Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu’s Muay Thai channel. It’s an application of Geoff Thompson’s good old “the fence”, perfect also for self defence as a non-aggressive-appearance stance with psychological defensive functions as well as physical. A lot of traditional martial arts use the long guard without calling it so. More modern ones too, for example Jeff’s demo of using it against jab, cross, etc. is very similar to how they do it in JKD. The lead hand also functions as a push teep, visual obscuration, feinting tool and grapple/clinch starter especially in gi-wearing MMA such as Kudo and Sambo - using it to grip their lapel/sleeve/pant. It also allows a safer transition into other guards, switching stance or combat mode/distance. Jeff, what’s your view on the Dracula guard for MMA?

I’ve been practising Ashihara Karate for years and I’ve always used the long guard….it’s very effective. Thanks for sharing Jeff.

This is very good 🙏🏾

Just great thank you!

Real life ninja. You can tell how much time and effort you’ve put into studying the game. It’s refreshing seeing and learning from guys with such great defense, not just guys that are willing to take a punch to give a punch.

Deflecting a straight punch in WingChun/JKD is called a Pak sao. The reason one targets the forearm close to the elbow is because its easier to deflect when someone throws a hard punch as they have less leverage closer to the fulcrum.

I love you thank you for this knowledge

Good Video thanks man