Some Guard theory....

Discussion in 'MMA' started by Andrew Green, Mar 31, 2004.

  1. Andrew Green

    Andrew Green Member

    Yet again, more class notes :D



    I’m finding this rather helpful, writing things out that is.



    Anyways, some basics on the guard, different types and when to make use of them.



    Closed Guard



    Ok, this you use when you got him in tight, down low. You want to keep his head down, and an underhook. Keep your hips out to the side and attack from there, keeping very tight. You got lots of submissions from here, See thread “Closed Guard Strategy”.



    Another basic strategy is climbing to high guard, although I don’t like this one as much, I prefer to attack by coming out the side. With a gi things are a little different, but we train no-gi.



    Another good option if he is staying low is to switch to butterfly, then scoot out and sit up.



    Now, in order to break your guard to pass he has to posture up, in other words get his head up.



    Once he does this, and as soon as he does this, release your guard, or he might release it for you. From there you got some different options.



    First you pretty much always want to turn your hips to the side, don’t be flat on your back, especially if he is pushing down on them as he straightens up to break.



    After that one of the following:



    1 – Sit up, re dig that under hook and pull him back into closed guard. Remember, don’t try to do this straight, he’ll stop it easy. A little hip movement goes a log way.



    2 – Sweep him. He’s upright, if you can catch him before he sits back to try and break the guard that is the best time. But at this point (Step 4 in the guard breaking post) he is open to a good number of sweeps. Scissor, elevator and flower if his leg is too far up to get started. He’ll either get swept or have to reset himself to avoid, in which case you’ll probably end up with a different option available.



    3 – Attack. He’s upright, arms likely extended, chicken wing, arm bar, triangle, now’s the chance go. Remember you got to free your hips first though, otherwise you just passed your own guard :D



    4 – Switch to a spider guard. One foot on the hip, one in the elbow, grab the wrists. Stay angled off, not squared.



    Spider Guard



    So from here it depends once again on what he is doing.



    If he is staying fairly upright you can attack from there.



    If he drops back down, you might want to transition to a butterfly guard. Feet hook first, then sit up and underhook.



    If he stands it depends on what he is doing. If he is pushing forward feet to hips, knees to your chest and over he goes. Or submit him, triangle works nicely. Or pull him back to closed guard.



    If he is pulling away you want to go for his legs. Either grab an ankle and sweep, or underhook a leg and sweep, or underhook a leg and go to an X guard (then sweep him ;) )



    Butterfly guard



    This is where he is kneeling and you are sitting.



    You want to keep him in tight, and you really want to keep his arms tied up. Underhook comes in great help here. The other is usually an overhook. His chin should be over your shoulder. This way when you go to sweep him he comes forward.



    Remember to keep space, and keep sitting into him, use your hooks to do this, and to break his balance.



    He is trying to do the opposite, keep your legs pinned to your butt, and you flat on your back.



    If his hips come up, you can sweep him.



    From here you can also transition into a closed guard if you are having trouble keeping him. Or if he starts to stand an X guard comes out nicely.



    If he goes up to one knee, go for the elevator sweep.



    You can also scoot out, and come under him going to a double leg tackle and reversing position, or same thing but come out on top in a sprawl position.



    Butterfly guard is not used for submissions as much as it is for sweeps and reversals / standups.



    X Guard



    Since we where working mainly guard positional stuff this one came in. ;)



    Basically you got a leg underhooked up by your shoulder. Your feet are hooked like a butterfly guard, but opposite ways (making an X) on the other leg. You keep his feet apart and off balance him. You can get some good sweeps leading to leg locks and taking the back out of this.



    It is used when a guy is standing and trying to pull away. You can also do a number of sweeps from that, but this can give you some better options after the sweep.



    Review



    Closed – Used when he is kneeling and his head is down. Attack from there, or as he tries to break. Don’t try to keep it if he gets his head up and starts working to break it. Break it yourself and things will work out better for you.



    Butterfly – He is kneeling and trying to drive you back and keep your back to the floor.



    Spider, he is upright, either standing or kneeling and pushing forward.



    X / ankle grabbing sweeps – He is upright and trying to pull away from you.



    And that was the theory behind today and yesterday.



    Problem was people using the wrong guard at the wrong time.



    It is possible to force the other guy to play the game you want, but sometimes it is just easier to let him do what he wants and play off of it.


    Most common are beginners trying to hold a closed guard when it is doing them absolutely no good apart from stalling things….
     
  2. shootodog

    shootodog restless native

    what is a rubber guard? is it an open guard?
     
  3. Andrew Green

    Andrew Green Member

    No, it's more of a close guard

    Except instead of hooking your ankles you underhook your leg over your his shoulder with your own arm.

    Can set up triangles out if nicely.



    edit: Hey wait a second.... I never mentioned Rubber guard.... :D
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2004
  4. shootodog

    shootodog restless native

    interesting...does it give better control over the opponent's torso? wouldn't you get pounded since you hand is occupied?
     
  5. Don Davies

    Don Davies Valued Member

  6. shootodog

    shootodog restless native

    great link! the chance of that punch landing seems 50-50. a good enough risk for a triangle.
     

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