Defensive work from the guard

[Rich67]

I have been working out with a friend the past month who had taken BJJ and worked out with the Machados in Los Angeles. He's pretty good (I think) and has taught me a few moves. The only thing I was wondering is this:

 

When in the guard position, what is the best defense when your opponent is actively punching you? We can't realistically practice this (I want to keep my teeth) and the defenses he has shown me I am wondering if they'd actually work in a real situation. He told me the best method is to grab at his wrists or biceps, control the arms, and try to apply a kimura or other lock. I always want to try to upa out from under him, and I feel that I'd get pummeled. I usually end up closing the guard and try to close the distance by pulling on him, but he always ends up arm barring me or worse. I'm new to all this; I just wanted some input so I can surprise the heck outta him the next time I hit the mat.

[TJS]

I think im missing something, when you have him in a tight gaurd and close in and pull him in you get arm barred??

[WolverineGuy]

Well, one thing to keep in mind is that when in the guard, you can control his hips. If I find that someone in my closed guard is successfully keeping space, I juke him around so that he has to use his hands to keep his balance. A smooth succession of sweeps and attacks from the guard will more than likely keep him from causing too much damage. Just remember, for him to punch you with any power, he has to have some sort of balance. He who controls the hips, controls the fight!

[Rich67]

I think im missing something, when you have him in a tight gaurd and close in and pull him in you get arm barred??

actually... I meant to say that when I TRY to pull him in, he grabs my arm... I never actually get him in close enough.. he locks my arm in then flings his legs around my neck and pulls my arm out of the socket from the side...??? It's hard to explain it; easier to show it, but...hope that clarified it.

[AndrewGreen]

Grab a pair of 16 oz gloves, headgear and a mouthpiece and go at it.

 

Overhooks are you're friend and keep tight.

[PhilM1]

let him in a little put your feet on his chest and push him as hard as you can with both legs ...stand up as he falls down and turn the tables...

[Rich67]

Thanks guys, I'll give it a try. I got the mouthpiece, but no headgear. Some bag gloves, but that doesn't do much.

[AndrewGreen]

let him in a little put your feet on his chest and push him as hard as you can with both legs ...stand up as he falls down and turn the tables...

 

Or he hugs you're legs, and passes guard....

 

Some things might work on people that don't know what they are doing, but this is not a good idea against someone that does.

[Rich67]

Just an update... I did some mat work again with him the other night. I used the closed and open guard and controlled his hips and controlled his arms pretty well. I even nailed him with my heels in the back a few times. He used a pair of boxing gloves and tried to score some hits. I got clocked a couple times, but I was able to defend pretty good. Eventually, I got him in close to where he couldn't hit me in the face any more. I just wasn't sure where to go from there. Eventually he passed the guard and made me tap. I guess I'll just have to keep learning techniques and I'll be able to go from there. I am really digging this grappling stuff; I think I can really get into it!

[WolverineGuy]

Good! Now that you're learning to control his balance, work to get to a more advantageous position. The guard is, in reality, a neutral position for both fighters (unless one of them really has no clue what to do). Work on a few different sweeps, as you will more than likely gain a full mount with a successful attempt.