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Couldn't disagree more. It doesn't mean you should usually (if ever) go there by choice, but it's absolutely crucial to know your way around the guard in case you end up on the ground unintentionally as a result of a wild scramble, slipping, if you get tripped/knocked down, or any other reason. Particularly knowing your away around standard open guard (feet on the hips with your opponent standing), closed guard, and half guard...being a spider guard expert or being on your 1-leg-X game may be a bit less important.I dont think playing guard is a good idea in self defense. I mean we do train to intercept arm during punches (and lock up triangle ) but frankly slamming isnt allowed in BJJ but sure as hell gonna happen in a street fight. Guard just seems to leave you open to strikes too especially against an aggressive attacker ?
Knowing how to quickly hit a sweep or get back to your feet, and defend yourself, is arguably one of the most important reasons to learn BJJ - definitely one of the things MMA fighters seek from learning it too as few are as good off their back as a BJJ player.