Check out this video, which shows the very first time I stumbled across the 'logsplitter' position. it was a complete fluke, but it still won me the match and a silver medal. Then read on to find out what happened AFTER that competition... Click here to watch the same logsplitter sweep video on YouTube. Cool, huh? This is a guard variation I now use all the time because it offers both … [Read more...]
Butterfly Guard
Free Book About the Guard for Grapplearts Readers
Heres's a really cool resource for you, something that I've received a TON of positive feedback on. It's a free, downloadable book that breaks down the many different variations of the Guard position with detailed descriptions and lots of pretty pictures! And you can grab it super easily, for free... … [Read more...]
Can’t Get Underhooks in Butterfly Guard?
Underhooks in the butterfly guard postion are super important! I was on a popular BJJ forum this afternoon when a thread about one of my favorite BJJ positions - the butterfly guard - caught my eye. As it turns out, someone was having problems. Here's what he said: "In the last few months I have really been concentrating on trying to get a solid butterfly guard. I bought Kesting's … [Read more...]
Submission Grappling Choke
The arm drag from butterfly guard to the back is a tried-and-true technique that has ended many matches in submission grappling and BJJ. Here's how to do it... Stephan controls his opponent with the butterfly guard. He grips his opponent’s triceps with his right hand… … and pulls him forward while simultaneously moving his own body to the left. His opponent is now off … [Read more...]
Short Legged Guard Work
A while ago I gave some suggestions about dealing with the open guard of long-legged and flexible opponents. In the interests of fairness and balance let's address some options for the opposite situation, namely what to do if you have shorter, inflexible legs. … [Read more...]
Butterfly Guard Crash Course
As I was heading home from a workout recently, someone mentioned that their butterfly guard just wasn't working for them. I put down my bag, got back on the mat, and started trying to metamorphose his butterfly guard. … [Read more...]
Armdrag Counters
Q: "What are some simple ways to prevent armdrags as well as handle them once they're in process or completed?" A: Armdrags are a great tool to get behind your opponent or to set up other moves. They can be used on the ground (e.g. from the butterfly guard) or on the feet (e.g. to set up a tackle). They are simple, powerful and effective, and because of that they are also pretty popular, so … [Read more...]