Question: Keeping him in my guard...

[horsegracie]

If I were you, and I have trouble getting to "hip bump" posture, say the guy is strong and keeps controling my hips and I can't sit up or remove his hands, I'd still open my guard, and scoot my butt back. He will try to pass now that your guard is open. Keep using your "snake move" to scoot away and keep him in your guard all the while using your hands to keep him away as you re-establish your guard or even try to go for his back.  When he defends you going to his back, you can usually scoot back closer to him and regain your guard.

[Costa Rica Jones]

Good advice.  I like it!

Thanks,
- Adam.

Get your dog to listen to you, anywhere you go!
http://www.dogproblems.com/secretsbook.htm

[tapornap]

As for the open guard (which I admit I know very little about)... the whole point to the guy trying to pass is so that he can open your legs.  If you open them for him, then you've done half the work for him, right?

This is not strictly true, because by opening your own guard you are taking control of the distance instead of letting him dictate it.  For example, for guys that like to do the pass where they stick an arm between your legs, give you the triangle, then stack you and roll you over, I will typically put my feet on their hips as soon as their arm is under, thus preventing them from stacking me.  Once I am comfortable with the distance I can start attacking the arms, move into butterfly guard and try for a sweep, etc.

It's also good to get used to putting a hand in their collar IMMEDIETLY after you get them in your guard...too many guys just lie back like its some kind of slumber party.  Before he has composed himself and gained posture, put your hand DEEP into his collar (like way behind his head) and then use that to manuever his upper body.

[Costa Rica Jones]

How can you put both feet on his hips, if he's got one arm under your leg, already?  Does your leg go around the outside of his arm/shoulder, then down on his hip?

[tapornap]

How can you put both feet on his hips, if he's got one arm under your leg, already?  Does your leg go around the outside of his arm/shoulder, then down on his hip?

No, you are moving away from him by scooting your hips from side to side.  If you can't create enough distance at first, you can scoot to one side, put one foot on his hip, then switch direction and scoot out to the other side.  The end result is that you are putting your feet straight out towards his hips while pulling his collars or his sleeves at the same time.

Or did you think all those shrimping drills were just for show?  

[Costa Rica Jones]

Shrimping drills?

Do you mean the Snakey-Snakey moves?

I thought that was just for escaping the mount???

[tapornap]

Shrimping drills?

Do you mean the Snakey-Snakey moves?

I thought that was just for escaping the mount???

Maybe someone can find a picture on the web but I mean the drill where you move across the floor while lying down by repeatedly flipping on your side and pushing your butt back, then switching sides and repeating.

It really is flabbergasting how much of jiu-jitsu relies on explosive hip movement.  It's crucial for just about every bottom position, including under mount, under side mount, half guard, and dozens of open and closed guard attacks.

[tapornap]

I should also add that if you don't like grabbing sleeves or lapels you can substitute by hooking under the arm or over the head.

However, also keep in mind that you can often grab clothing on the "street".  The only street confrontation involving bjj that I know of was when a friend of mine choked a guy unconcious in a bar using a cross (collar) choke from the guard (!)

[Costa Rica Jones]

I see your point, I just feel that in the super fast and dynamic nature of a street fight, there isn't time/opportunity to be holding on to shirt sleeves.  But collar chokes are a whole nuther issue.  

I appreciate your feedback.
- Adam.

[James3374]

KICK HIM IN THE GOODIES!

nah, j/k.

This is a really awsome thread.  It's gonna help my guard game out quite a bit.  

ttt

[triangleace]

keep the high guard if it is closed; keep climbing your legs up his back as he threatens to pass. This gives you an easier armlock or omaplata. if he is standing, getting the high guard is even easier and gives you the star sweep, one of my favorites

[el_negativo]

Thanks for the help, guys.

I'd rather avoid the stuff that is strictly tournament style, like controlling the sleeves, etc...

if not tournament style are you talking about a regular fight with an untrained person?  if so, just sweep him over.  he's not going to make posture by posting on your stomach.  or as mario sperry said on one of his takedown tapes "if the guy doesn't know jiu-jitsu, i'll just throw him down."

obviously you can't explain open guard on a forum (and you really can't explain a lot of it anyway - you've just got to roll until you feel it) but sleeve/collar control is very important.  don't open your legs until you have either one arm nearly totally dominated with two of yours (my preference lately) or both arms mostly controlled with both of yours or one arm controlled along with his collar.  if you just open your feet without one of those controls, he's going to give you a hard time.

[Ronin_]

GOOD thread guyz!!

[princegiggy]

A nice distraction is to use both hands and grab your opponents strongest arm.  This will kind of puzzle him and allow you to tighten your grip on his waiste. You can lift yourself up and to the side and try to push his hand down the opposite side and try for the back mount.  If not, you still have his hand and he isn't going anywhere.  I hope that helps. Try it!

[bwb]

ttt

Great info being shared