Tuesday, March 3, 2009

How to Control your Opponent in Open Guard

Today in class I learned how to control your opponent in open Guard.  The principle is to use your legs against his arms (should be no contest) and have one of his arms stretched back and the other one stretched in so he loses his base.

Feet on the Biceps Position

You are on your back on open guard with your feet on his hips.  Control both sleeves.  Now place your right foot on his left biceps and stretch the foot out while pulling back on his sleeve. 

At the same time your left instep is on his left hip and you use it to rotate slightly to your left.

Your left arm is basing with your elbow and at the same time pulling his sleeve in. 

The combination of all of these should create instability in your opponent.

To change legs place now your left leg on his right biceps and stretch it, your right instep on his right hip, rotate to your right, base your right elbow and stretch out his sleeve.

If the opponent is too close just make space with your feet on his hips.


Over and Under Feet Hook

One variation of the biceps hold is to wrap your foot over and under.  Starting from the feet on his hip positon with sleeve control,  stretch out your right foot, now wrap it over his biceps and under his arm pit.  Now pull his sleeve with your right hand so that his hand is close to your chest.  Place your left instep on his right hip and rotate.


Guard Pass Fake to Omoplata

One application of the Over and Under Feet Hook is to go for the Omoplata.  You start with the Over and Under Hook with your right instep on his biceps and you're rotated to your left.   You purposefully left go of his sleeves and leave and opening for him to passover your left leg.

As he goes for that you rotate to your left all the way under him and come out on his left side with his left arm hooked and complete the Omoplata