Guard Break in Gi

[Jon Chastek]

Could someone post a step by step explaination or a link to the guard break that we learned in class when you grab both parts of the lapel. I dont remember much of it other than that it worked pretty well and it seems like something I should know.

[Randall Jones]

It is pretty much the same thing as the no gi equivalent, with the exception of how your non-breaking hand grabs their gi to establish posture.

The way you grab both lapels is this:

Reach up high enough with your hand that you can place your hand in the gap between his lapels. Since they cross eventually, you should be able to just "zip" your hand down this gap, opening his gi slightly. I would usually anchor right below his ribs, but experiment with it to see what's comfortable.

The grip I take is lining up the two lapels almost like a teepee. That is, fold the thick stitched collar part a little so it faces out towards you. Do that for both lapels.

Then you can easily grip that teepee with your hand. Grab it with your palm down at first. Then, once you have a good grip, roll your wrist in so that your grip is now facing palm up. This really gives you a tight control. Also, it helps you keep your elbow tucked and secure so he can't attack it.

That's the best advice I can give written. If someone else finds a link to some pictures, I'm sure they'll post it.

[Jon Chastek]

What do you do if the grab your collar and keep you from making posture?

I had the problem of having someone who was small enough that I could lift them (so theoretically I could slam out of it) but I couldn't break their grip on my collar without letting go of their lapel. They would just drift up with me when I postured up. Should I try to use the hand with the lapel grip to keep them down or is there something that I can do thats more effective than that.

[Randall Jones]

That's a common and annoying problem to have. I deal with it in two ways.

First way:

Before you take the lapel grip with one hand, use both of your hands to grab their belt. Keep your elbows tucked in tight for this too. Using your hands on the belt as an anchor, drive your head upward to make your spine straight. Try to look at the ceiling basically.

Once you get good posture that way, try walking your knees back just a little. Try to walk away from their hips to make space. A lot of times when you walk away, you lose a little posture. Just drive to get it back again. Always be thinking about looking to the ceiling.

After you have that sort of posture, then take your one hand lapel grip and use the other to shake his legs off. Even if he still has his collar grip, once you have that good of a posture he won't be able to pull you down.


Second way:

If he has a really tight closed guard and you just can't break it, don't be afraid to stand up anyway. You're not allowed to slam him, but you can lift him off the ground and just start doing the shaking break anyway. Gravity will work against him and his guard will break.

This way is a lot easier than the first, but it's more risky. If the guy is smart, he will open his guard on his own at the right time and try to catch you off balance for an open guard sweep. But if you get stuck, this way is worth a try.

[Jon Chastek]

Thanks Randy,
That helps. I think I was giving up on standing up too early instead of just shaking regardless of if he came up a bit.

As a side point: are there any instructional videos you would recomend for guard breaking and passing in the gi? I probably wont be able to download it while I'm here but I might find a way.

[Quantum Jim]

Saulo's first DVD set is pretty good.