Here's how the Kimura can help you transition from the Closed Guard, to the Mount, and then to your opponent tapping out. Photo 1 - If your opponent is quick he may be able to counter your Kimura from the guard by posting his foot and grabbing his pants. You may be able to simply rip his grip free from his gi pants if you are stronger or he is sloppy, but the following is a more elegant … [Read more...]
Submission
Marcus Soares Kimura from Closed Guard
Marcus Soares demonstrates a basic attack from the guard: Closed Guard to Kimura Photo 1 - In Brazil this sequence is often taught as one of the most basic attacks from the guard. You start with your opponent in the closed guard and a grip on his sleeve and lapel. Photo 2 - With your sleeve grip you pull your opponent's hand to the ground. At the same time you open your guard, escape your … [Read more...]
Technique 4: Omo Plata to footlock
A four step instructional article on transitioning from guard to the omoplata and then into an unexpected footlock when your opponent attempts to counter the omoplata. Stephan has his opponent in his guard and climbs his legs up until his left thigh is resting OVER his opponent's right shoulder. This is known as the "crooked", "climbing" or "high" guard. Stephan creates an attack … [Read more...]
Technique 3: Scissor sweep to Omoplata
The scissor sweep is one of the very first sweeps most BJJ students learn. And it's a legit technique, but even if your opponent counters it then it can still be used to set up a great omoplata attack... Stephan has his opponent in his closed guard, and uses the basic closed guard grip on his opponent's left side Stephan opens his guard, shifts his hips, puts his left shin across his … [Read more...]
Technique 2: Omoplata to wristlock
It's never good when your opponent manages to stand up in your guard. Fortunately you can use the omoplata to bring him back down to earth and put him into a very bad position... Stephan's opponent stands up, attempting to pass his closed guard. He maintains control of his opponent's right arm Stephan swivels his body to his left (so his left ear is touching his opponent's right shin). … [Read more...]
Technique 1: Triangle choke to Omoplata
The omoplata can be an attack in its own right, or a great followup to another technique. Here Stephan shows you how the omoplata can be used to salvage a failed triangle choke... Stephan attacks his opponent with a loose triangle choke. His opponent counters the choke by wrapping his right arm around Stephan's left thigh, preventing the choke from tightening. He controls his … [Read more...]
Eddie Bravo’s Rubber Guard “The NewSchool”
In this sequence Eddie 'Twister' Bravo shows yet another one of his innovative rubber guard setups to lock on the diviangle choke. Hold your opponent's head down by headlocking him with your left arm. Use the classic wrestling grip with your right hand. Shift your hips by pushing off your opponent's right hip. ONLY while your opponent's right hand is on the mat, bring your … [Read more...]
Eddie Bravo’s Rubber Guard “The Meathook”
Here, with permission from Eddie 'Twister' Bravo, the man who submitted Royler Gracie with a triangle choke at Abu Dhabi 2003, is a step, by step breakdown of one of his rubberguard setups. Step One: Hold the opponent's head down as tight as possible with your left arm Step Two: Shift your hips to the side, putting your left foot on your opponents right hip. Step Three: As fast as … [Read more...]
Clinch to Inside Trip to Heel Hook vs. Punching
Closing the gap in MMA can be the most dangerous part of the fight. Sometimes throwing fake strikes allows you to get in close enough to take your opponent down... White and Black are in punching range. White throws and overhand right - Black blocks at the bicep and rushes in... ...achieving the 'over and under' clinch position, a very common clinch in NHB and MMA … [Read more...]
Kimura/Bicep Lock from Open Guard, by Andreh Anderson
This painful submission, demonstrated by Andreh Anderson, combines the Kimura armlock with the bicep crush technique to tap out your opponent from the guard. Your opponent is attempting to pass your guard by underhooking your legs. Keep your legs heavy so that he cannot quickly establish his passing posture. Release your grip on the lapel and switch it to under his arm. Once you … [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...]
Kimura Armlock from Top Half Guard
The Kimura armlock is a bread-and-butter move in BJJ, but not many people know that they can use it from on top in the half guard. In this technique Marcio Feitosa shows you how... Marcio (dark gi) is in Marco’s half guard. Marco has his left arm under Marco’s armpit. Marcio encircles Marco’s left arm and … [Read more...]
No Gi “Brabo” Choke from Top Half Guard
The Brabo Choke can be a match-ending submission. And one of the best times to apply it is when you're on top in the half guard.. In this technique Marcio finds himself in Marco’s half guard, but without the gi. Marcio wraps his right arm around his opponent’s left arm and cups his head with the other … [Read more...]
“Brabo” Choke with Gi from Top Half Guard
You can attack with this version of the Brabo Choke anytime your opponent is using his half guard from the bottom and is wearing a gi... Marcio (dark gi) is caught in Marco’s (white gi) half guard. Marco is on his side with his left arm under Marcio’s armpit. Marcio free’s Marco’s left lapel, stretching it behind his body… and passes it to his right hand, under Marco’s … [Read more...]
“Comedy’ reverse omo plata from rear mount
Thanks to Matt Kirtley for submitting this technique. For more information, or to contact Matt, please visit Gracie Barra Clearwater - Stephan Kesting. While this entry into the reverse omo plata may seem like a comedy option (especially when I obviously have the choke in all these photos) I have actually used it when someone is defending their neck really well, especially when they have a 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...]
Sideride detail: attacking the turtle position
Thanks to Matt Kirtley for submitting this technique. For more information, or to contact Matt, please visit the Gracie Barra Tampa - Stephan Kesting. These details are rather simple and may appear obvious, but I have yet to see many people actually do it to get the crucifix and instead just complain about how hard it is to get the arm out with their knee alone. Here are two details to … [Read more...]
Step-by-step reverse omoplata
Thanks to Eduardo de Lima for demonstrating this technique, and to Matt Kirtley for taking the photos and writing the descriptions. For more information, or to contact either person, please visit Gracie Barra Clearwater - Stephan Kesting. If the crucifix choke is underused, then the reverse (or inverted) omoplata is almost unknown or at least considered an exotic novelty. Hopefully, this … [Read more...]