Mastering the Octopus Guard with Nelson Puentes

In this video, I visit Nelson Puentes at Inverted Gear Academy in Pennsylvania to dig into the octopus guard — one of the most versatile and overlooked positions in grappling. Nelson is not only the founder of the globally recognized Inverted Gear brand, but also a black belt instructor with a deep understanding of how to make jiu-jitsu more effective and sustainable for hobbyists and competitors alike.

We start the session with a look at how the octopus guard emerges naturally during switch-based passing from half guard. As Nelson explains, the key is to avoid staying flat. “The longer you stay flat, the worse this gets,” he says. Instead, he emphasizes coming up on the elbow early, creating angles that lead to back exposure and sweeps.

Watch the full video here ↓

Building Back Exposure from Half Guard

Once your opponent backsteps, or if you can initiate that reaction, the window for attacking the back opens. Nelson demonstrates how coming up on your elbow — rather than staying flat — sets off a chain of opportunities. “Already you’re losing control here,” he points out as he starts to climb and shift angles. A simple butterfly hook, coupled with proper pressure and hip positioning, can tip the balance quickly.

If that hook isn’t available, Nelson moves into what he calls the “cat-dog” position — a chest-to-back connection that prioritizes control and pressure. “Now I can start working on cutting the corner, taking the back, or just flattening out for top position.”

Cat-Dog Game and Kids Training

Interestingly, Nelson shares that they drill this concept regularly with kids in class through a playful approach: “We play the cat-dog game every day.” The kids start from the octopus guard configuration and are told to either get chest-to-chest or chest-to-back — teaching them instinctive control, balance, and transitions in a way that’s both fun and effective.

How to Enter Octopus Guard Proactively

While the octopus guard often appears as a reactive move, Nelson also shows how to force the position offensively. With solid arm control and inside positioning from knee shield, you can slide into octopus guard without waiting for your opponent to act.

There is risk, of course — especially the threat of a crossface. But Nelson has solutions for that too. “If I catch this here… that hip bump sweep is right there.” Even when a crossface lands, he demonstrates how proper timing and angle can convert a defensive reaction into an offensive opportunity.

Conceptual Takeaways

The octopus guard isn’t just a novelty. It’s a conceptual approach to controlling the upper body, exposing the back, and using angles to neutralize pressure. Nelson’s focus is on isolating the hips, staying dynamic, and teaching students how to feel the positional shift — rather than memorizing rigid sequences.

Want More?

You can find Nelson Puentes at Inverted Gear Academy in the Lehigh Valley area. They ship globally and run one of the most concept-driven academies around.

Big thanks to Nelson for sharing these details with all of us!

You can follow Nelson on Instagram invertedgearnelson and check out his products at invertedgear.com.

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