Tornado Guard: Rolling Back Take System

The tornado guard is an open guard system that uses a rolling inversion to take the back from bottom. Unlike the berimbolo which requires lapel grips, the tornado guard can be executed in both gi and no-gi contexts.

Core Concept

The tornado guard uses the momentum of a roll underneath the opponent to arrive in a back control position. The guard player essentially rolls underneath the standing or crouching top player, using leg hooks and hip control to arrive behind them.

Entry Mechanics

The tornado typically initiates from open guard when the top player is trying to pass. As the passer commits weight to one side, the guard player uses that pressure to initiate the roll — the timing of the inversion with the passer's weight commitment is the key technical element.

The Roll

The roll goes over one shoulder while maintaining leg hook control on the opponent. The legs wrap around the opponent's leg/hip as you invert. As you emerge from the roll, you should be behind the opponent with hooks available for back control.

Back Take Finish

After the tornado roll, establish seat belt control and insert hooks quickly. The opponent will often try to turn in immediately — preventing that turn-in by inserting the hooks before they can re-orient is the critical moment.

Defense

The primary defense is not committing weight in a way that gives the tornado opportunity. Staying square and not reaching over the guard player prevents the tornado initiation. If the roll begins, stepping back and maintaining base can abort the back take.

Frequently Asked Questions