Passing The Guard

I just finished reading Passing The Guard and it is a great book. I picked up the book because I really need to work on passing the guard since it is so important to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and I really struggle against higher ranks when doing our guard passing drills at class.

-Review-




Passing The Guard is not only the most reasonably priced book but the first that I've seen that really covers passing the guard in such detail.

The book uses an interesting method of graphical symbols to indicate what limb moved or had previously moved from picture to picture. They also list alternative approaches within a technique. Counters are listed on the same page with each technique so you not only learn how to pass the guard but you get some ideas on how to keep it.

Unlike many BJJ books the written instructions are clear and there are only a minor number of typographical/editing errors. I was very impressed with the outlines and explanations throughout the book. The text really enhances the images and helps to make sure you are getting all the details correctly. I would recommend anyone beginner to expert pick up Passing The Guard as it covers in great detail every aspect of passing the guard.

This Kid Is An Amazing Fighter

I can't believe how good this kid is.

Here is his record to date:
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - 160-8-0 (win-loss-draw)
Boxing - 12-1-0 (win-loss-draw)
Wrestling - 99-20-0 (win-loss-draw)
Vale Tudo (NHB) - 3-0-0 (win-loss-draw)

Technique Class

Well last nights class was much better than Mondays. We got to learn some new moves that I will try to describe below. I figure trying to write a description of the move might help me to better understand the techniques minor details. Attempt this move at your own risk I am not responsible for you killing someone or injuring someone trying to do this move of any other move described in this blog.

I will call the move,

"The side choke from guard"
1. Opponent is in my guard
2. Opponent tries to gain base and posture by placing both hands against my stomach and pushing up.
3. I Circle my right hand behind my opponents right elbow (from my perspective)and push out to the right side of my body. Simultaneously I use my left hand to push my opponents left(from my perspective)elbow off to my right side (I must push his arm far enough that it is to the right side of my head).
4. I Bring my right hand up between my opponents arms and around the back of his neck. I Bring my head up off the mat and pin my opponents left bicep (from my perspective) against his neck and my ear. I want my head as high as possible on his bicep.
5. I Grab my left arm bicep with my right hand and bring my left hand back to the side of my head.
6. I keep my guard and arms closed while scooting around like I am trying to get to his back. I am trying to get the blade of the inside of my right arm against his carotid artery in his neck.
7. Once I am positioned well I squeeze my head against his left bicep (from my perspective) and my right forearm against his carotid artery and choke him. I must make sure to use the inside blade of my forearm or the choke wont work very well.

Analysis Of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Part 4) From BJJ.org

Passing The Guard
Passing the guard is one of the major tools one should have in his/her BJJ arsenal. If there was one skill to be obtained in BJJ, this would be the one! If you can consistently pass someone's guard with ease, you will take so much away from their ability to control you. (Add to this some good hold down skills to become truly effective.)

I have spent a little over two years working on it with my instructor Joe Moreira. This one skill has helped me so much that I must recommend it to all. Let me share with you some of what I have learned.

Here are the principles and guidelines to passing the guard:
Space

* create space to uncross the opponent's ankles
* space while you're in the process of passing his guard

Weight

* keep your weight centered on the opponent's upper torso while passing

Formula
(This is a simple way to remember where you are in the process of passing.)

* Step one - establish base and posture
* Step two - uncross the opponent's ankles
* Step three - secure and control the opponent's hips
* Step four - pass under or over the opponent's leg

Note: The above formula will work with or without a gi!

Based upon the preceding principles and guidelines, I can show you sixty-five (65) different techniques on passing the guard. I'm sure there are more than sixty-five, but that's all I know. Once you understand these principles and guidelines, you can figure a lot of different ways to pass.

When you begin to put the basic ways of passing the guard together into two and three technique combinations, the amount of energy you spend to pass will begin to decrease. When you can put five and six techniques together into a solid combination, now you're flowing. And, when you can pass your opponent's guard and talk to another student about politics, mathematics or sports, while your in the process of passing their guard ... well, now you're really flowin'!

Another Ask A Ninja Video

Ask A Ninja Video. These don't really have anything to do with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu BJJ but I find them quite funny so I thought I would share them.

Technique Class From Hell

Well last night turned out to be a very long class. We did our normal warmup of 45 minutes then did armbar, triangle, and escape drills. We were supposed to do 20 of each, at least that was until someone was found to be doing them half-assed. Therefore we ended up doing 200 armbars from the guard and got a lecture about why we perform these drills once we are tired. I wont go into all the details but in short you will have to perform these techniques under stress and will be extremely tired therefore they need to be done with conviction and correctly even when tired. How you train in class is how you will respond in a real situation. Needless to say my stomach is extremely sore today. Hopefully that is the last time we have to do any technique 200 times.