Guard strategy

[TJ-Jitsu]

So what say you for your guard strategy? What are you trying to do from each guard, be it half, full or butterfly? Are you of the opinion that any one guard is superior to the other? If not why not? And if so why so?

Finally the age old question: should you be fighting to sweep or submit? 😉

[Tempest]

Depends on if my opponent stands in my guard or stays low. If they stay low, I like knee shield, but if they stand I tend to work towards De Le Riva.

Personally, I always work towards the sweep and if the sub presents itself I take it.

I am pretty basic from half guard. I want the leg side underhook and out of there.

I typically only do butterfly to throw people off or to set up my Del la Riva, so not much from that.

I don't think one is superior, I tend to be of the opinion you have to play with all of them SOME to see what works with your game. Since I tend to play a very position heavy game, without many leg-locks, I don't tend to work the fancier guards very much. Though they are obviously effective for those that use them.

Now as to what you SHOULD be doing? Please see the interview with John Danaher that I posted to our other discussion regarding this. I think we should be fighting for control.

[TJ-Jitsu]

Depends on if my opponent stands in my guard or stays low. If they stay low, I like knee shield, but if they stand I tend to work towards De Le Riva.

Personally, I always work towards the sweep and if the sub presents itself I take it.

I am pretty basic from half guard. I want the leg side underhook and out of there.

I typically only do butterfly to throw people off or to set up my Del la Riva, so not much from that.

I don't think one is superior, I tend to be of the opinion you have to play with all of them SOME to see what works with your game. Since I tend to play a very position heavy game, without many leg-locks, I don't tend to work the fancier guards very much. Though they are obviously effective for those that use them.

Now as to what you SHOULD be doing? Please see the interview with John Danaher that I posted to our other discussion regarding this. I think we should be fighting for control.

You’ll have to forgive me for not watching that interview. It’s over 2 hours long. Is that John Dannahers suggestion and words? Fight for control?

[Tempest]

It is. I know it is long. But it really is pretty good and quite relevant to the other discussion.

Plus, you get to see a Phd make Joe Rogan shut up for a bit.

So, realistically, when I am rolling, I look for positions that make me more comfortable and my opponent more uncomfortable.

And to be more, faithful, to what professor Danaher said, his suggestion is to isolate the positions of control from the actual attack and to focus on establishing a position of control regardless of your relative body positions, then attack.

He uses the example of Gordan Ryan destroying Cyborg as an illustration of this principle with regards to his leg-lock system.

[tallgeese]

So what say you for your guard strategy? What are you trying to do from each guard, be it half, full or butterfly? Are you of the opinion that any one guard is superior to the other? If not why not? And if so why so?

Finally the age old question: should you be fighting to sweep or submit?

Distance control is the answer for each and every guard. Either opening or closing, which will lead to you a set of tactics for each. The application of which one will depend on you, him, the situation, and environment.

My favorite is the one that the door is open to. I'm partial to butterfly and spider for the simple reason that those are the ones I like, so I drill them more, hence I am more reliable with them across a wider array of situations.

Superior depends on situation and the training of each fighter. I do think everyone needs a solid closed guard game. It's the one you'll want when all else falls apart.

Sweep or submit? What the situation, what's your partner doing, what are your goals in the encounter, and what have you trained the most. No right or wrong.

[TJ-Jitsu]

It is. I know it is long. But it really is pretty good and quite relevant to the other discussion.

Plus, you get to see a Phd make Joe Rogan shut up for a bit.

So, realistically, when I am rolling, I look for positions that make me more comfortable and my opponent more uncomfortable.

And to be more, faithful, to what professor Danaher said, his suggestion is to isolate the positions of control from the actual attack and to focus on establishing a position of control regardless of your relative body positions, then attack.

He uses the example of Gordan Ryan destroying Cyborg as an illustration of this principle with regards to his leg-lock system.

I’ve listened to some of it, but I’ll be completely honest here (surprising, I know.... ). I don’t think it’s the best strategy for fighting from guard. I think it’s great for catch wrestling but counter to Jiu Jitsu.

[TJ-Jitsu]

So what say you for your guard strategy? What are you trying to do from each guard, be it half, full or butterfly? Are you of the opinion that any one guard is superior to the other? If not why not? And if so why so?

Finally the age old question: should you be fighting to sweep or submit? ��

Distance control is the answer for each and every guard. Either opening or closing, which will lead to you a set of tactics for each. The application of which one will depend on you, him, the situation, and environment.

My favorite is the one that the door is open to. I'm partial to butterfly and spider for the simple reason that those are the ones I like, so I drill them more, hence I am more reliable with them across a wider array of situations.

Superior depends on situation and the training of each fighter. I do think everyone needs a solid closed guard game. It's the one you'll want when all else falls apart.

Sweep or submit? What the situation, what's your partner doing, what are your goals in the encounter, and what have you trained the most. No right or wrong.

I like it. I agree with the idea of "no right or wrong." My jiu jitsu improved drastically when I stopped saying right or wrong... but did start saying "more or less efficient."

[Tempest]

It is. I know it is long. But it really is pretty good and quite relevant to the other discussion.

Plus, you get to see a Phd make Joe Rogan shut up for a bit.

So, realistically, when I am rolling, I look for positions that make me more comfortable and my opponent more uncomfortable.

And to be more, faithful, to what professor Danaher said, his suggestion is to isolate the positions of control from the actual attack and to focus on establishing a position of control regardless of your relative body positions, then attack.

He uses the example of Gordan Ryan destroying Cyborg as an illustration of this principle with regards to his leg-lock system.

I’ve listened to some of it, but I’ll be completely honest here (surprising, I know.... ). I don’t think it’s the best strategy for fighting from guard. I think it’s great for catch wrestling but counter to Jiu Jitsu.

Perhaps... but what I have found is that it works. If I put my opponent in, for example, bottom side control, but they are defending the submission and just kind of stalling me there, if I make them hold my weight and then work slowly towards a better position, my opponent is more likely to give me something trying to get out than if I just sit there.

[TJ-Jitsu]

It is. I know it is long. But it really is pretty good and quite relevant to the other discussion.

Plus, you get to see a Phd make Joe Rogan shut up for a bit.

So, realistically, when I am rolling, I look for positions that make me more comfortable and my opponent more uncomfortable.

And to be more, faithful, to what professor Danaher said, his suggestion is to isolate the positions of control from the actual attack and to focus on establishing a position of control regardless of your relative body positions, then attack.

He uses the example of Gordan Ryan destroying Cyborg as an illustration of this principle with regards to his leg-lock system.

I’ve listened to some of it, but I’ll be completely honest here (surprising, I know.... ). I don’t think it’s the best strategy for fighting from guard. I think it’s great for catch wrestling but counter to Jiu Jitsu.

Perhaps... but what I have found is that it works. If I put my opponent in, for example, bottom side control, but they are defending the submission and just kind of stalling me there, if I make them hold my weight and then work slowly towards a better position, my opponent is more likely to give me something trying to get out than if I just sit there.

Oh I'm far from denying that it works- its a great idea and a great strategy, I just wouldn't trade for mine tbh....