Leveling up

Some critical insights this weekend at The Stronghold.

Half guard top-

problem- was getting reversed too often when attempting to pass.

solution- don't sit on the hip without being ready to base out. probably better to just go with more stable positioning.

chest to chest, pressure farside arm, rip head to side w/crossface, stiffarm on leg to open up.

common issue i had- putting the free leg up too early, getting hooked.
solution- crossface and sprawl hip. or, keep legs pinched/use free leg to pry open legs (or lockdown)

Passing the guard

problem- getting de la riva'ed too often, getting out of passing posture vs. some people

solution- keep elbows in tight to body- more power this way. drive with knees. don't extend arms far in without having passed with legs as well. only straighten arms and break passing posture when fully ready to go to a pass. drive with knees. control pants at inside knee or at ankles. patience with passing.

Side control

problem- difficulty in getting past the frame (clearing nearside arm and forearm in throat), difficulty finishing from here, getting reversed sometimes

solution- flow under frame and break posture (use leg move and hip pressure to face), or flow over and smash down wrist (like americana- force them to underhook).

clear forearm in throat by moving with shoulder to pin arm next to head. can set up possible arm triangle.

use crossface/pressure on farside arm.

favor elbow across body rather than just crossfacing. if they bridge after you've flowed over the arm, drop ribs or hip on head so they just mess themselves up.

anchor self on farside shoulder/head/whatever and pull self deeper into side control. flow under arm and start breaking down their posture. pressure from everywhere.

use ribs/hips on face from n/s.

once they give you something, suck it up and don't give them back anything. pressure until they have no other options to move, and then finish them.

pop back up to knee on stomach if they are bridging crazily- use to take the back. or hand in collar and choke- if they bridge, they choke themselves.

Mount

problem- they are tucking and protecting too tightly, can't finish them

solution- get one lapel, drive fist to ground, drive elbow to move head at 45 degree angle and drop weight on them. they will move and you can do whatever. back will often open up (push arm across and take it)

Half guard bottom

sweep- counter to arm weave- spider sweep. timing is important.

frame up opponent and prepare to pin arm to hip. or catch the underhook arm and pin to hip before they settle weight. replace guard from there.

Butterfly guard to footlock x-guard transition

rock up, hands in armpits, kick leg through, hand off to other side, push opponent away and pull towards footlock via thigh. lock the footlock position, put foot on hip, pinch knees. rotate knee and sweep opponent or prepare to foot lock them or move to x-guard.


Half butterfly


control crossface arm (around wrist), get on side, lift hook and pull arm out (towards you) so they can't base. sweep them if they don't react. if they base, move to x-guard. if they base with the other leg, x-guard opposite side.

remember for x-guard- control arm that could potentially grab head. push opponent away and towards legs by armpit/lat.

x-counter- grab head and peel arm off leg with other arm.