by Vitor "Shaolin" Riberio Passing the guard and taking an opponent's back in a Brazilian jiu-jitsu match is a huge advantage. Here Shaolin shows you one way to do it: … [Read more...]
Guard Passes
A Half Guard Sweep
by Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro The half guard in BJJ is a position that has evolved a lot. Originally it was considered to be a bad position, only one step short of having your guard passed altogether. Now it is the favorite sweeping position of many BJJ practitioners. … [Read more...]
Wallid Ismael-style guard passing by Andreh Anderson
Andreh Anderson is a brown belt under Rey Diego at (www.reydiogo.com). Here he kindly shares the details of one of his favorite guard passes. Andreh says: "Let me say that I don't know if this is the exact pass Wallid uses. … [Read more...]
The Margarida Guard Pass by Andreh Anderson
Andreh Anderson is a brown belt under Rey Diego at (www.reydiogo.com). Here he teaches a guard pass used by phenomenal BJJ competitor Fernando “Margarida” Pontes. … [Read more...]
Andreh Anderson’s Advanced Guard Pass
Andreh Anderson is a brown belt under Rey Diego at (www.reydiogo.com). Here he demonstrates an advanced gi guard pass. Andreh says: "Please study this one carefully because it is really tough to defend when done right." … [Read more...]
Single Leg Sweep, by Andreh Anderson
Andreh Anderson is a black belt under Rey Diego at (www.reydiogo.com) and loves sweeping his opponents. Andreh has this to say about the single leg sweep: "Most of you have probably seen the sweep itself, but I started using the entry when I was a brown belt and it worked really well. … [Read more...]
Sneaky Lapel Choke from Guard, by Andreh Anderson
Andreh Anderson demonstrates a technique where your opponent will think he's passing your guard, but this only sets him up for a sneaky lapel choke. The opponent tries to pass your guard by underhooking your legs. Maintain a deep cross grip on his lapel and keep your legs heavy in order to make it difficult for him to put your back on the mat and pass. If you can hook inside his leg with … [Read more...]
Armbar to Reverse Roll Guard Sweep, by Andreh Anderson
Here's a combination that takes you from an arm bar attempt to a powerful guard sweep from the closed guard, demonstrated by BJJ black belt Andreh Anderson. … [Read more...]
Knee Grip Guard Sweep, by Andreh Anderson
Andreh Anderson demonstrates a very useful sweep you can use when your opponent is trying to pass your closed guard with the gi. … [Read more...]
Quicky under pass to reverse omoplata
This is a very effective way to end a match quickly. Thanks to Matt Kirtley for submitting this technique. For more information, or to contact Matt, please visit Gracie Barra Clearwater - Stephan Kesting. I was worried that it might be considered redundant to demonstrate three passes that are so similar. But that quickly passed when I realized I'm awesome and there's no such thing as too … [Read more...]
Double underhook guard pass to reverse omoplata
This is a powerful guard pass often seen at the highest levels of no-gi competition that leads straight into a devastating submission. Thanks to Matt Kirtley for submitting this technique. For more information, or to contact Matt, please visit Gracie Barra Clearwater - Stephan Kesting. You've opened guard and gotten both arms under their legs. Clasp your hands down by their hips and … [Read more...]
Standing guard pass to reverse omoplata
Thanks to Matt Kirtley for submitting this technique. For more information, or to contact Matt, please visit Gracie Barra Clearwater - Stephan Kesting. This and the other reverse omo plata setups work well with normal guard passes because common defences often help you get them (such as posting on your hip to block the pass, or grabbing your sleeves to try to stop an under pass). And if you … [Read more...]
Straight From Brazil: A BJJ Half Guard Sweep Using A Belt Grip
This technique is being demonstrated by Oscar Daniotti, a BJJ black belt under Ricardo de la Riva in Brazil. He is the chief editor Faixa Preta Digital, an online BJJ magazine available in both English and Portuguese. … [Read more...]
Straight From Brazil: A Deep Half Guard Sweep Photo Demonstration
This technique is being demonstrated by Oscar Daniotti, a BJJ black belt under Ricardo de la Riva in Brazil. He is the chief editor Faixa Preta Digital, an online BJJ magazine available in both English and Portugese. … [Read more...]
The X Guard Position
The 'X guard' is a position that I've been using a lot recently. Depending on your point of view, it's either a form of the open guard or the half guard, but whatever you call it, it's effective as hell! You end up in X Guard a lot when you use the Butterfly Guard, especially when your opponent posts his foot to stop your sweeps. … [Read more...]
The Three Most Common Butterfly Guard Mistakes
When most people start using the Butterfly Guard in BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) and/or submission grappling, they make one or all of these three following mistakes. … [Read more...]
Trapped Flat in Half Guard? Do This!
The half guard can be a powerful attacking position so long as you stay on your side and maintain your mobility. However if your opponent gets his grips, flattens you out and drives all his weight onto you it really sucks. … [Read more...]
Double Threat Attacks from the Bottom Position
In grappling, sometimes a submission can be more than just a submission. Let me explain… There is no shortage of different submission attacks from the bottom position. Most typically you'd attack from the closed guard, open guard or half guard position, but you can also use submissions if you're turtled under your opponent, or even pinned in side mount. Of course if you finish a … [Read more...]
Pulling Guard in MMA
Q: Hello Stephan, I'm a big fan of your website - I've been following it since 2009. I compete in BJJ and No-Gi submission wrestling. I've also been training MMA with hopes of having my first amateur fight within the year. … [Read more...]
How to Defeat the Bigger Stronger Opponent NOW AVAILABLE
It's here! The How to Defeat the Bigger, Stronger Opponent DVD set is in stock, and ready to ship right now. Emily Kwok and I have been crafting this 5 DVD set for a long time, and it's one of the best instructional sets I have ever seen. … [Read more...]