Older or Less Athletic Grapplers: The perfect tool you’re not using to retain your guard in BJJ.

[@napb123]

An easy alternative to wrestling up for the unathletic is to use the frame, blade the body into the opponent to avoid flat position, bridge to create space, and then hip out and frame the knee of the leg on the ground on the hip, and then replace either full or half guard

[@EKMartialArts-io3fi]

Yes the side guard is great and I go over that one quite a bit

[@dimitardobrev3296]

Nice one guys. Thanks for sharing.

[@JordanHix]

Underrated topic for sure. Thanks fellas!

[@EKMartialArts-io3fi]

Thank you! Let me know if you have any requests

[@JordanHix]

@@EKMartialArts-io3fi No gi wrestle ups from De La Riva or Reverse De La Riva would make a great addition!

[@EKMartialArts-io3fi]

@ I’ll put it on the list my guy

[@standardm4tt]

"For those who aren't flexible" Next breath "We throw up triangles and loads of cool stuff."

[@stevenschwartz7162]

I noticed the Redzovic rash guard. I learned this shell as a one-stripe white belt in 2016 in a class taught by Adem Redzovic. I still use it today as a four-stripe purple. As I’m now in my 60’s, I almost always use the underhook to grab my partner’s ankle and more or less pull him into half guard.

[@EKMartialArts-io3fi]

Haha that’s awesome, small world. I actually started under Idriz Redzovic in Lincoln park for a short time then spent the majority of my Chicago training with Adem in the loop location (now called “Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club”). Good people over there, and Adem is the man. Cool to know you’re still using the shell.

[@RollinBoy]

I knew someone that literally did a Philly Shell while under side control, even under mount. Interesting 👍

[@EKMartialArts-io3fi]

I’m curious about the mount, I’d like to see that.

[@RollinBoy]

@@EKMartialArts-io3fi Under mount, if both arms are above his hips, there are a myriad of escapes. However, with one arm underneath, it immediately becomes offensive, watch anything Jeff Glover, like 'Jeff Glover 3rd Match from Grapplers Quest at UFC Fan Expo $1,000 Advanced Absolute' under a big guy it still works very well. Also check 'Jeff Glover side control escapes' if your a deep half player, you'll love it.

[@RipcordPlayback]

is this also applicable for the gi?

[@EKMartialArts-io3fi]

I don’t see an issue with it but I haven’t done gi for probably 3 years now and I’m not the most knowledgeable on any counters involving the clothing/lapels. Most of my techs should be applicable though.

[@AudreyandmeAu]

wait... maybe I'm just bad but can't they just go to mount everytime with your hands like that?

[@EKMartialArts-io3fi]

No worries my man - Think about when you’re in side control and your partner has both an underhook and a cross face to control you. They can’t easily go to mount even in that case because most people bring their knees to their chest, so if the opponent just attempts to raise their level and recklessly move to mount too much space will be created and you’ll get your guard back. You can still use this same leg position with this new upper body arm positioning. Once you get your underhook you do need to move very quickly to their thigh/lower leg so that they don’t step over your body but it should be enough time and then you’re back to wrestling.

[@dariusrana8487]

Cool. Look forward to trying this. Roy Harris has something similar which he uses in the gi.

[@EKMartialArts-io3fi]

Let me know how it goes, I’m not familiar with Roy but I’ll check it out

[@dariusrana8487]

@EKMartialArts-io3fi he uses one hand to grab the inside of the collar, and the other grabs his elbow. He was one of the OG American black belts. He has a good book on Kindle called Jiu Jitsu answe man. Has a solid background in other martial arts, too.