Class 252...

A final class with a very good black belt, who is not only is a very successful competitor but also a very skilled teacher.

He taught some basics about pulling guard and retaining guard. The take-home lessons were:
I) Keep grips at all times to collapse him into guard, to break his posture in guard and to threaten attacks and submissions.

II) When attacking, keep connected and close distance; when defending, create distance and lose connections.

I also got to spar with the departing black belt, too, and it was a gentle and controlled mauling. It was good to roll with a high-level competitor and see the above lessons in action. He always maintained contact and never let the pressure stop.

Things to remember: grips, pressure and connections.