TFS#77: It’s Not The Technique, It’s The Entry

Happy (early) Halloween!

Nothing is scarier than having a horrible guard that always gets passed.

Prioritizing learning about how to avoid the side control or any disadvantageous position is better than learning specific escapes.

So before we start talking about the guard, let’s take a step back…

The Entry

Obviously there are multiple ways where you end up having to play guard but the most straight forward is by pulling into it when the round starts.

Some of us are known to be guard pullers. Especially those older, slower, smaller, or simply just more comfortable starting in guard.

The idea of pulling is to get yourself into a distance that is favorable for you and also to control that distance.

Once you can control that distance, you can begin setting up your guard.

The Idea of Guard

Like any sport, your defense is what allows you to execute your offense.

Playing defense is reactionary so you don’t want to be playing guard the whole time.

At some point, you’re going to have to attack.

So when you think “guard retention,” just remember that you are only “retaining” for the sake of your offense.

A lot of those times, you will have to “play from behind.”

Let’s breakdown a simple example:

1. Your opponent has control of your pant grip and starts a toreanda pass. By pushing your legs to the side, your opponent is now “ahead of you.”

2. If they’re leading with their shoulder, you’ll have to use your arms to frame against their shoulder. (Reminder: frame against what’s coming at you! I see some people framing against the hip during a toreanda pass. In this case, it’d be useless because their shoulder is coming down on your chest, not their hip!)

3. Then you’ll have to get your legs in front by pummeling on their body. Now you’ve “caught up” by squaring up with your opponent.

4. Once you’ve squared up, you can grab an ankle and throw in a De La Riva hook. Now you’re “ahead.” At this point, you’re setting up your guard…which allows you to start off-balancing…which allows you to start attacking or transitioning into a better position!

That’s why you need to be patient with your guard.

Some passers are relentless and will constantly apply pressure.

Attacking From Guard

Now that you have your favorite guard set up, you’re able to execute your attacks.

The most effective technique you can learn for any guard are sweeps.

Let me back up there and actually say the most effective technique you can learn for any guard is off-balancing.

Off-balancing includes hitting a sweep.

And by off-balancing, you’re forcing your opponent to play from behind.

Because the first thing they want to do is regain their balance…now they’re on the defensive! You’ve flipped the table.

Closing Remarks

“The best way to avoid side control is to avoid it!”

Well, you’re still going to end up in someone’s side control.

So if you still need some ways to fight out of it, ​here’s some techniques to escape side control you can use​.

That’s it for this week, see you on the mats!

Wayne

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