Class 89…

Tonight was an intermediate class and we worked on strategies for maintaining and breaking guard. 

Standing guard break from top in guard: grab opponent's hand, drag his hand to opposite side; stand up on side of grabbed hand; stand other leg up; switch hands and hold onto hand; then use free hand to push down on knee on safe side; pass knee over and secure side control with seatbelt control.

Sitting guard break from top in guard: grab belt, elbows in thighs of opponent on inside; knee in arse; other leg extended back to side and twist hips to open guard; then pass knee over and secure side control with seatbelt control.

Attacking opponent trying break guard bottom: secure sleeve control; one foot on hip with other leg wrapping round back of knee and going into sweep.

We then did some sparring and I was paired with somebody on the same belt level as me. He was stronger and faster than I was but I did OK. I was constantly defending but I escaped some pretty tricky positions and didn't get tapped. A minor victory. 

Things to remember: Utilise attacking options from both bottom and top; it pays to be proactive rather than reactive or 'Attack is the best form of defence'.