Pass the Guard - Closed Guard
PASS THE GUARD
When you are inside of the enemy’s guard, he has many options to attack you or reverse the positions. Therefore, you will need several possible techniques to pass.
a. Closed Guard. In the closed guard, the enemy has his legs locked together behind your back.
(1) Knee in the Tailbone.
(a) Step 1. Moving one hand at a time, grasp the enemy at the belt with both hands. Keep pressure on him to prevent him from sitting up.
Knee in the tailbone, step 1
(b) Step 2. Place one of your knees in the enemy’s tailbone. You will need to lean toward the other side to prevent him from compromising your balance.
Knee in the tailbone, step 2
(c) Step 3. Push with both hands, and move your other knee back away from him. This should create a 90 degree angle from the knee in the tailbone. This action will also create more distance between the knee in the tailbone and your hip, forcing him to loosen the grip with his legs.
Knee in the tailbone, step 3
(d) Step 4. Release your grip with the hand on the side you are facing and move it under the enemy’s leg on the same side. You will then lift his leg, pulling it to you to gain control, and pass normally.
Knee in the tailbone, step 4
Knee in the tailbone, step 4 continued
e. Step 5. Pull your remaining hand out from between his legs at the earliest possible time to avoid the arm bar, and secure a grip at his waist.
Knee in the tailbone, step 5
(2) Stand Up With One Sleeve.
(a) Step 1. Gain control of one of the enemy’s sleeves near the wrist, and with the other hand grasp his jacket in the center to keep him from sitting up.
Stand up with one sleeve, step 1
(b) Step 2. Stand up with the leg closest to the arm you are controlling first and arch your back slightly, pulling on the sleeve that you control.
Stand up with one sleeve, step 2
Stand up with one sleeve, step 2 continued
(c) Step 3. Switch control of his sleeve to your other hand and use the original hand to push downward on his legs to break his grip. It is helpful to step slightly back with the leg on the side you are attempting to open.
Stand up with one sleeve, step 3
(d) Step 4. When his grip breaks, reach under the leg and pull it to you, tightening up to gain control and pass like before. It is important to control the leg below his knee so that he cannot bend it to escape and regain the guard.
Stand up with one sleeve, step 4
(3) Hands in the Arm Pits.
(a) Step 1. Pin the enemy’s shoulders to the ground by either placing the fingers of your hands in both of his armpits, or placing both hands around his neck.
Hands in the arm pits, step 1
Hands in the arm pits, step 1 continued
(b) Step 2. Stand up one leg at a time, placing one of your knees in his tailbone and stepping back with the other. The heal of your foot must be planted on the ground.
Hands in the arm pits, step 2
(c) Step 3. Sit down so that your knee is driven upward between the enemy’s legs. This will break the grip of his legs behind your back.
Hands in the arm pits, step 3
(d) Step 4. Drive your knee over his leg on the opposite side. This will immobilize the leg so that you can bring both legs over into side control.
Hands in the arm pits, step 4
Hands in the arm pits, step 4 continued
