The first of the two guard passes we were shown went something liked this:
you are in your opponent’s closed guard with your knees either side of his hips; you grab his belt or his gi pants and use this grip to drive his hips to the floor as you posture up; you then drive the small of your back against his closed ankles as you move your base backwards to break his guard; once his guard is broken you immediately connect your right arm to your right elbow if your are passing on your right side to prevent him reclosing his guard or establishing a hook; your foot is on the floor with your weight balanced; your left leg and your left arm are also attached together to prevent him getting his leg through and you are in ‘low surfer stance’; to pass his guard you then pass your right knee over his left leg with your knee on the floor and your foot hooked behind his knee; you then bring your left leg across your own leg so he cannot hook either of your legs and move them; the right leg passes over then the left leg follows; your arms at this point are hooking around his neck and under one shoulder getting ready to go to side control once you have cleared his legs.
The second of the two passes involved a standing pass. This went something like this: in your opponent’s closed guard pull across his right hand his middle line by establishing wrist control by grabbing hold of his gi sleeve with your left hand and grabbing his collar with your right hand; then stand up so your opponent is hanging off you; switch hands but remember to control his sleeve with your right hand; with your left hand drive down his knee and jump up to shrug him off; you then go into ‘surfer stance’ and start to pass as before.
Guard passing is very technical but it remains something I need to spend real time on and it seems there are no short cuts to this. The white belt I was drilling with was very helpful and pointed out there were too many holes in my attacks and defence and I had to close the space. This was excellent advice and it did help.
In sparring I was cannon fodder for most of the session, although I did manage to hold my own for a few lengthy sessions until falling foul of a very slick armbar and a kimura. I also nearly fell into a very impressive gogoplata but I spotted the danger and escaped. I did have one minor victory, though, when I caught a very good white belt in a bizarre reverse kimura from half guard. It was a desperation measure but I just managed to catch it and hold it for long enough. I should use kimura control more often, though, as the kimura is a favourite technique.
And I also used the rear-mounted neck attack escape to good effect today, too.
LESSON FROM TODAY: Close down the space; drill guard escapes.
No comments:
Post a Comment