“Seriously…why is the gracie guard promoted as self defense? … All the other guy has to do is reach down and grab your testicles, which you have left fully exposed by leaving your legs wide open.”
This is a surprisingly common misconception, usually made by people who have never sparred with a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner.
Rather than take the time to explain the silliness of this comment, I’ll let 4th degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and 4x Pan American Champion Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhães do the talking (and the choking).
Logan Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blog 