Okay, so first off, why is it so impossible to find a stock photo of someone pulling guard???

Moving on

This week we have been focusing on guard.  Guess what… it’s not just a place to lay there!  We have been working on three key things so far:

1- a Good guard

2- Arm bars from guard

3- Sweeps

• A Good Guard:

If you just lay there, they will pass (or they suck.)  First off, grab one of their sleeves with both hands, and jerk their grip free.  Then pull the hand forward wit bot of yours until you can reach one of your hands into their collar (deep!).  Two things not to do now: Don’t lay down and just nap there.  Keep your head up, and prepare to do something.  Second, don’t burn out.  Don’t sleep, but use energy wisely.  That hand in their collar, concentrate on the grip…. you don’t need to curl the guy into your chest for heaven’s sake… just keep the grip.  If your hand is in deep it’s pushing his head off to one side a little, and screwing up his balance and attack a bit as it is.  Keep that other hand holding onto his arm.  Good job.  That’s guard.

• Arm bars and Sweeps.

I’ll do a follow-up post on these.  The most important thing for now is to nail that guard.  Get it good.  And once you’re there, move toward that sweep or arm bar.  Be a bit relaxed, but don’t take a nap.  Don’t burn out, but don’t just lay there.

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