Breaking the closed guard from the knees the RIGHT WAY

[@jons6348]

Lesson starts at @5:30.

[@Ray-Bradbury-o5s]

Hero

[@countryfriedoutdoors3932]

This technique is money. I’ve used it for 8 years it’s the only one I ever use. Everyone of my teammates knows it’s coming and they still can’t stop it. This is called the #1 guard pass for a reason

[@PaulJohn283]

Been using it since the late 90s and it never fails, I don’t even bother with other guard breaks.

[@mastersplinter666]

Henry is on a whole new level with his explanations. Wow! So clear and concise and explains all the important steps. Much love! You’ve made my bjj journey much more exciting

[@alexrosario423]

This is definitely not concise, it would be a bad examination of the details of a move if it were.

[@Mattchew2232]

You're up there with John Danaher for me. Henry, you're such a clear and articulate teacher. Thank you.

[@lawdog81]

Danaher says don't try to open from the knees - it doesn't work at a high level.

[@Leitefsj]

Shawn Williams is also a world class instructor.

[@TheLockon00]

@@lawdog81 I was thinking that, too. I imagine there are exceptions. It's similar, I think, to how the scissor sweep is seen as low percentage past blue belt. It seems these basic old-school moves can work very well if the details are refined enough.

[@Nlaw18]

@@lawdog81 yesterday in training I said this to a white belt newbie: all you’re learning is for you to make it work for you. It will be pretty much the same from white to black. What changes is the way you’re perceiving the technique. As you change your perception of a technique you’ll apply it in a different way. And that’s when you know you’re in a different level. That’s also when you might get a new belt or degree. So, I’d disagree danaher, not because he’s wrong but because i believe it depends on you’re perception of that technique and how you adress it. Cheers

[@eduardotoledo2744]

@@lawdog81 man, if you have a strong base on the closed guard, maybe you dont open the guard, but they open bcse they see they cant do much on you... and saying "work at a high level" is not a biiig thing. Not everybody fight gordon ryan or buchecha everyday on the mats...

[@retro6652]

I really appreciate that you took 30 minutes to discuss and teach this technique. Most people would gloss over a technique in half the time or less. Your attention to detail at each step is super helpful. I had learned a similar guard break previously that I had abandoned due to a lot of the issues you addressed here. Sounds like I need to revisit this one. Thanks much!

[@PeartSkirtAndSpunky]

This guard break is life at the moment as I’m glued to the ground going through ACL recovery- (6 months post op) Not cleared to stand yet- But even when I was training without an ACL this was my bread and butter! Thank you for this 🙌

[@Joes_Jitsu]

Same. Hip surgery 4 months ago. its weak and feels stuck in the mud. This is a god send.

[@slick222]

Perfect example of how very effective moves fall out of the jiu jitsu mainstream over time. A few low-visibility details are not taught/not learned, the move no longer works, someone finds something else that works, the old move gets lost.

[@doca8792]

Happy belated Birthday to an amazing instructor and just a really good human being.

[@guzmanalexgio1]

Happy birthday sir! I don’t know you and you don’t know me, but your teaching methodologies have had such a significant impact on my Jiu Jitsu. Thank you for the content, I hope to be able to meet you and learn from you in person some day! I normally don’t comment but I felt compelled to do so because of how thorough and detailed you are.

[@doca8792]

Henry is not only one of the best practitioners, he can teach it. I do believe he holds the record for shortest time it took in getting a black belt from the GOAT, Rickson.

[@gfernandez3635]

You have a gift for teaching, clear and concise, thank you.

[@sufianal-mukhtar2888]

Absolute gold from one of the best jiu jitsu instructors out there. Many thanks sir

[@elwalker9034]

You sir are a magician. Instead of giving up on this break I will practice practice practice. A lot of details observed. Thanks.

[@jaredscott9441]

Just started watching your content Henry and I’m already a big fan…awesome content

[@skeen267]

Exactly as I was taught by Mike Oberdick at Zero BJJ. Very effective guard break.

[@mako757]

Happy Birthday Henry!!! Have a great day and Thanks for the video!

[@Leopar525]

What a boss. Thanks for the lesson and happy birthday preemptively for the next one :)

[@gregstokes7169]

I always love learning from you brother ! Keep doing great things !

[@aungnyeinchan495]

I am so glad I found your channel, Professor!

[@GramJujitsu_Carnivore]

I’m excited to try this. I appreciate the attention to details- weight distribution, hand placement, etc…. I’m 61, 5ft 1,112 lbs. small details are important. I have difficulty opening up closed guard- because of lifting others weight.

[@angel-rq4fz]

First Happy Birthday Professor ; Continuation of Rickson Gracie is Henry ; Hopefully Rickson will succeed in his endeavour of Building the Federation JJGF .

[@zodiac154]

Really glad i discovered your videos. Looks like there's a lot i need to rediscover, play with, and correct

[@marlonransomlifestylefitne3565]

Happy Birthday my friend!

[@mjolnir9855]

Henry is so good at taking everything away from his opponent with the mere slightest unseen movements. This is like the esoteric, almost magickal, side of his JiuJitsu. Fundamentals taken to a masterful level.

[@markdaniels4178]

That's how it should be, master the basics then the advanced moves derive from the basics but many don't take those steps

[@rollinOnCode]

it is amazing the depth of knowledge henry has in jiu jitsu :)

[@reginaldanglin4264]

Happy late birthday, oss. PROFESSOR. Thank u.

[@Kapauhawaii]

Top notch explanation! Happy Birthday!

[@andrieslucian]

Amazing explanation, congrats and your videos really help. Big detail missing in my view, the leg to break with the elbow is the one that is locking on top.

[@TjoeHolland718]

Thank you, sir! Great stuff. Will be incorporating your insights into my training.

[@dukenukem8253]

I practiced this at home and it made a huge difference! The posture was rock solid. A practice partner that had previously broken me down pretty easily was visibly surprised that he could not break my posture. The breaking of the guard requires some practice and a lot of hip mobility, but I'm getting there. This is a much better approach than what I see other white belts doing.

[@dukenukem8253]

This is an amazing video addressing a key fundamental. I've only been in classes for two months, but no one has talked about this and I've been CLUELESS. I'm not a super strong guy, so I need to learn good posture to help me out. Thanks!

[@kingwilly8041]

It's ok, I was clueless about some of this stuff even though I was 10 years in. Most of it finally dawned on me but Henry points out even more stuff. I know black belts who are still ignorant of important concepts.

[@dukenukem8253]

@@kingwilly8041 It's been a few months since I posted that. I got humbled pretty soon after when the more senior guys would just immediately go for the hip bump sweep when they couldn't break me down. I still struggle with beating that. It was frustrating at first, but then I realized that is why BJJ is chess and not checkers.

[@MightyGorb]

Did my first session yesterday, this was one of the techniques we learned. Glad to find this video for my own practice. Thanks.

[@kingwilly8041]

I'm willing to bet it is taught better here than what you were shown.

[@dougreviewstheuniverse9082]

Great video. Thank you. It would have been great if you showed what you are doing with your hips in the guard and how you prefer to pass after you break guard. Happy late bday I subscribed

[@davidgoldsborough7557]

Nice the way u explained. I will definitely be watching more of your stuff !!!

[@bruceevans2137]

That was a bloody great video. Very well explained and demonstrated. Loved it. Thank you.

[@time6430]

Pure gold. Thank you for making this video and sharing your insights

[@theodorekim3795]

Been doing bjj inconsistently for sometime now and i’m just now really learning how to break the closed guard. Lol kind of blows my mind. The invisible jiu jitsu IS JIU JITSU! Thank you sir!

[@RicoMnc]

I notice something new every time I watch this video. Golden.

[@dominikpanufnik8585]

I like the way you teach! Thanks for the info.

[@russneese1004]

Happy birthday 🎂🎊🎈🎁🎉 Okie!!

[@dragosristici]

this is the best and most unique technique I've seen of breaking a guard...i will try it tonight

[@dragosristici]

that hip bump to hip bump countering is brilliant...i will try it tonight, too

Marvelous explanation, thanks A LOT, blue belt here struggling with guard break

[@bananapatch9118]

I’m a 60 year old white belt. I can’t sit on my ankles….my knees are too tight. I am constantly trying to sit that way and stretch them but it is a slowwww process. Because of this it seems I am always leaning forward a bit. Thoughts ? Thx !

[@PaulJohn283]

For real, I learned this from Luis Heredia back in the late 90s and then got it refined by Saulo Riberio in the early 2000s and till this day it almost never fails to break the guard safely and effectively and I’ve used it on and at every level.

[@jcweld]

Great instruction, thanks. It's helped my game.

[@darrinhodder2821]

happy belated man! Bjj is so amazing. also sick guard break. as a smaller guy i struggle getting out of strong tough guys guard.

[@kevinb8212]

There is a reason Rickson always preaches the importance of base. I’ve watched him do hour long seminars with black belts where all he does is move them off balance to make them learn how to form a solid base.

[@Aceinthehole1179]

Happy birthday Professor

[@Toddry]

Certainly one of the best with concepts in Jiu-Jitsu.

[@mukegilek]

Happy birthday professor!!

[@scottmarlow6018]

Thank you Henry. Nice seeing Scott Smith too!

[@Owl-of-Minerva]

Quick, someone say that none of Henry's material works so he will do a counter video teaching everything.

[@CardinalMonkey]

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation. I really appreciate it.

[@dustincronk2003]

Amazing! Thank you sir🙏

[@areitomusic]

Excellent video. Great use of body mechanics to prevent a weakness in your defense. These are concepts found in Classical Okinawan karate.. the hips and limbs being used to create difficulty for an attacker to counter a defensive. The foundation of the Okinawan Arts is "Ti", which is technique practiced in grappling scenarios.

[@rudals1281]

Thank you for explaining this in great depth.

[@movingman67]

I've been studying this video for a month or so. When I try it in class and it doesn't work, I wonder why. I come back to it and see my mistake and try to correct it next class. The devil is in the details.

[@36efitnessllc18]

Happy Belated Birthday!

[@cousinjudas]

Henry, thanks so much for all you do to teach us! I’m having an issue with breaking guard using this approach. The issue is that when I come up on my knee, facing sideways, my partner bends and scoops my leg (the one that was behind the butt). It’s really problematic and usually results in some kind of sweep or a break of my posture. Can you offer any counter to the bottom player scooping that leg?

[@jproquemore]

Phenomenal video. Thank you.

[@ramentengu9087]

My coach in wrestling also taught against active toes in the down position

[@hermanmelville3871]

This is money. Learned it from the man himself about 10 years ago and haven’t had my posture broken since.

[@markusalonzo6321]

Lmfao u must suck

[@77jiujitsu]

Happy belated birthday professor Henry Akins :-)

[@wizardwanny]

not sure if you've seen professor sauer's on the knees guard break, but it requires no knee wedge and you can stay in a safe position without too much movement. the only danger is your partner sitting up because both elbows are wedged behind the knees. Thoughts on this if you do know it?

[@yankeetiger41]

Simple concepts. Fantastic.

[@senditffh7919]

Henry, do you think it's better to pass on the knees or to stand? Most guys now stand to pass but I always feel like I could be swept.

[@MrJetlagfever]

tried this in training , works a treat

[@sybmundy6223]

By far the best fundamentals online

[@jesseyoung7855]

If Rickson teaches it, it's probably a really good strategy, it's the person's lack of technique that is likely the issue.

[@johnCjr4671]

Thanks Henry ! 😊

[@michaelstrong4823]

The most important detail in this position is Henry’s haircut. Obvious joke.

[@mrhoads7]

After sitting back and breaking open the guard… where do you go next?

[@UnskilledGrappler]

Roger said in an interview that he doesn’t think there’s anyone alive who could break his guard on the knees. I believe him. Now of course, most people don’t have anywhere near his level of closed guard. But if the only way to break a very high level closed guard is to stand, then isn’t standing objectively better? Stand and you take away almost all of the guard player’s options. Remain on your knees, and they remain in effect. To me, it’s a no brainer.

[@larsmuller1019]

Many thanks👍

[@stevenblood8257]

lol when i was young i didnt care wether i did pullups palm out or palm in..i couldnt tell the differance.the last timed pullups i did with one palm out and the there palm in..now i dont know if i can do more than 2or3 standups

[@joseroyal877]

Isn’t there a danger of omoplata when you turn your body?

[@machvisfexi]

Thank you!

[@mikengo8725]

when you say tuck your hips, you mean posterior or anterior tilt?

[@PauloBerni699]

I think Keenan is cool but I’d rather know everything Akins has learned over Keenan. I’ve been sitting on my toes for 25 years in closed guard so it’s good to have my own analysis and intuition vindicated. Andre Galvao also advocates for the “live toes” concept, so I guess everyone has different ideas of what feels more secure and advantageous or tactically more sound. This a Master Class in closed guard defense and counter.

[@mike8984ify]

Let's say there is an easy technique that works against 98% of opponents but is easily countered by the top 2%, compared to a much harder to master technique that works against everyone, which do you learn? Everyone might have a different answer to that. The other problem is the perception of the teacher... if it works on everyone he tries it with, but not high level competitors who are younger/stronger/faster, then it's easy to say it was the strength that caused technique to fail rather than the technique itself. Maybe that's even correct... In this case you've got Keenan or Andre going against the best of the best and winning, or Roger Gracie saying you can't pass closed guard from your knees, that standing up or smashing is what works. This is a great technique for the gym and if you master it, it'll work with 98% of who you roll with, but how much footage of this working in high-level competition?

[@Vscustomprinting]

Why not both?

[@mike8984ify]

@Keegan Yentsch Awesome, please provide a single source where Rickson opened closed guard on a world champion from kneeling position.

[@mike8984ify]

​@Keegan Yentsch Rickson using other "basic techniques" successfully really has zero relevance on whether he was able to open up anyone's closed guard from the knees. No one is making the argument about "basic techniques" in general or about Rickson's general success.

[@Bergstorm]

@Keegan Yentsch spot on my man

[@jameslee8766]

This is seriously awesome.

[@amancio2446]

Hope you hit up the the Great 808 with a seminar🤙🏽

[@maximlamoureux4129]

why is it that this escape isn't done in high level competition?

[@eugenefdscodes]

Thank you Henry

[@kekukunairvine6627]

Very helpful

[@CUNDUNDO]

Many times you are doing a technique wrong and many times it works because your opponent or opponents are using the wrong defense technique so in your mind you think that you are doing the technique correctly because it works all the time it`s only when you meet an opponent that has the knowledge of the corrrect technique of defense that you get into trouble and then you don`t know what to do The solution then is to review the escape technique in every single detail and correct all the little errors you were doing.

[@GusAguillar]

Mas kd a parte que passa a guarda?

[@MestreMur]

Great Image Quality video...

[@lowroad4257]

Akins is right up there with Danaher in my opinion.

[@anoktokbatosai8113]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@mattmgarza]

To be fair, he's probably straw-manning Keenan's understanning of a seated guard break. Keenan was just showing a few details and didn't have the luxury of a 30-minute video. If I'm not mistaken, it's becoming more or less of a consensus that standing breaks are superior. If I'm wrong, please correct me. I'm pretty sure Danaher definitely prefers standing breaks.

[@coneryj]

I've modified a few things about this so that it fits into a few principles that I like to follow. I don't like to rotate my shoulders. Too much arm and back exposure. You're putting too much faith into that grip. Any failure and you're screwed. I don't want to be forced into a situation where my arm has to stay straight like that either. I'm like to be able to quickly drop my elbow to his hip. When I'm in guard I generally keep my shoulders squared (and level) You should be able to rotate your hips without rotating your shoulders. It's important for them to be disconnected like karaoke's or hip switches.

[@MP-db9sw]

Awesome, thank you 🙏 9/18/24

[@Knightlife07]

This is amazing but this man repeats himself A LOT. But there is gems in between the reruns. Thank you for this! Even if your long winded!

[@Arcadianx98]

Sitting on my ankles like that kills my ankles and knees…

[@PotentialEn3rgy]

God that is a lot of information!! 👍

[@mel-c6v]

Amazing

[@jknorr8093]

Shout out to Professor Scott Smith!

[@snorelion]

Thank you

[@paulzenchuk7807]

Nice!!!

[@Janisurai]

🔥