This WILL Change Guard FOREVER!!

[@atlanticsligo]

This is phenomenal.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

It’s really soooo powerful!

[@TheSymphonyofpain]

My poor knees lol

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Lmao it’s not that bad if you rotate hips open more, but even if you aren’t flexible using your hand will help you more

[@TheSymphonyofpain]

@@JonThomasBJJ ❤️

[@SethKBaldwin]

I don't have full range of motion in my knees such that I rarely play butterfly guard because it's excruciating to put my foot to my butt. I'll definitely see how I can add this safely but I'm worried about getting collapsed.

[@0b3ryn29]

​@@SethKBaldwinyou can use the same concept of using hands to frame against leg to prevent leg drags. Requires less flexibility in the situation. I use it often

[@bdupri25]

@@JonThomasBJJ Jon, I share this guy’s pain, haha. How about - what kind of stretching routine could get flexibility like yours or the guy demonstrating this. I’m thinking that may be like an hr a day of stretching. How did you do it?

[@richardhansen4170]

Believe me, give this a few weeks of specific training and you will have a new perspective on the open guard, and your guard will be 100 times better than it was before you learned this. By the way, thanks for sharing and well done Espen and Jon! The way you explain this makes it so easy to understand. Great job! Great video

[@Gmiyas]

Great instructional! Please consider a follow up video on this topic, specifically on proper structural form to avoid injury as well as mobility/stretching to properly enable this type of framing. Thank you!

[@kennethchapman1]

100% - this is an amazing concept and deserves a deeper dive

[@ericnevitt637]

This improved my guard retention immediately. Was a pleasure to learn from you last week. Going to be drilling this with the boyz tonight.

[@frumby12]

Why have I trained SO LONG and never thought of this? One thing you did t mention… the hip and knee alignment is important to keep unhealthy pressure off the knees. It was mentioned in the context of hamstring strength, but the same position relieved torque on the knee I think.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah absolutely! Should have thought to mention that in there as well. Almost need a consistent disclaimer for all jiu jitsu videos and mobility safety lol

[@conflakesroxy]

Man now I know why I’ve been stretching… Time to do this

[@huskylord123]

I definitely want to add this to my game. I just hope my meniscus doesn't ruin the plan. Thank you for sharing this.

[@thorbreakseverything1836]

I have been fooling with this for the last six months and just saw this. wow, very exiting all the places this can take me.

[@ronaldp.vincent8226]

I’m starting to learn more about the importance of self frames when playing open guard.

[@olegbroichenko352]

Circle frame is gold!

[@vladfarias]

When I think you've already provided every wonderful instruction you could , you just come up with an even better one.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hahaha I try to not disappoint I got 3 more big ones mapped out in my head I’m excited about

[@cameroon95]

This is honestly the best bjj piece ive seen on KZbin ever on guard. Ive been trying for years to circle my leg back when someone uses torrendo grips with very little success. This honestly has completely changed my rentation , just need to remember to get back in offence after i get my leg in . Would love a follow up video or instructional on this

[@ivanivan4563]

game changer details, ty guys, you are best online instructors) respect from Russia!

[@chuckduncan9098]

Very interesting. I'm still working on the concept of my body as many parts rather than one unit.

[@drialoves5013]

this is really gonna help me recover my guard! thanks john :D

[@neillangston5846]

My open guard has gotten so much better watching you, now I have more to implement. Nice!

[@jasonlinam9645]

Great stuff. John is a phenomenal human. Excellent teacher. We saw this in Denver.

[@chrismasseybjj]

I was at Espen's seminar yesterday and his details on DLR and Berimbolo were excellent. We had a roll (it went as well as you'd expect) and he suggested this video to help with my guard. Also he was just a super cool guy.

[@professor_earn]

Thanks for sharing!

[@CauliflowerDino]

Love this, will really help my game. We are lucky to have Espen doing a seminar at our gym this weekend, so I can pick his brain about this 🤘🔥🔥

[@alains4050]

Awesome tips for the older grapplers!

[@Paladin1776a]

Excellent, thank you Jon!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy to help!

[@kamesennin178]

Excellent concept thank you so much for sharing 🙏

[@kennethchapman1]

Watched this 3 times and then went to open mats to try this with the blue/purple belts that constantly smash me and are way superior strength wise and technique - worked twice with little strength! Thanks for such a practical tip!

[@LexLupton]

It’s rare that you see something that is completely novel and yet can be put into your game immediately. Thank you for this fantastic content

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I know this is honestly one thing that instantly improved my retention so much

[@zacharywong483]

Fantastic details and footage to match here!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much!!

[@PauloBerni699]

I'm a small quite flexible 60 yo black belt and I've been using the ankle grab to circle my foot from the stacking or any semblance of a crowding position when I'm in guard in order to return it over their head and inside my opponent's shoulder, but this video introduces a more systematic paradigm in guard retention. Very well done and explained!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah I had seen small stuff with this before but this full system around it takes it to a new level!

[@randymarsh6253]

Bro out here changing lives!

[@aidywong703]

love it will be using these details thank you!

[@kevin-augusto]

beautiful!

[@ghelix333]

Amazing. Thank you Jonathan

[@rapp3090]

I will use this immediately. Thanks.

[@neckbomb9693]

Damn, dropping that secret jitsu knowledge yet again 🙏🦾🔥😎

[@JonThomasBJJ]

The small stuff makes all the difference!

[@neckbomb9693]

@@JonThomasBJJ thanks man! I’ve implemented many of those small things into my game and it’s helped me tons, and also helped me understand jitsu conceptually. If you ever do a seminar in the Austin/central TX area I will be there! 🙏🦾🔥😎

[@matthewchristie4158]

I love this technique. What a great video. Thanks for doing this, buddy.

[@shabblabbat]

As a distributor and seller of arthroscopes, I approve of this video.

[@Farsidejunky]

The ones who will be helping you sell more equipment will be the ones who don't adjust their hips for the movement they're trying to make with their legs.

[@orgANGmo]

​@@Farsidejunky or 40yo software engineers who want to try something new. Like me.

[@GASmotorsports]

@@FarsidejunkyI think it’s interesting you don’t think Jiu Jitsu can destroy hip joints.

[@martinmyggestik292]

This is great. Another benefit is that if they manage to pass you, your inside space is already closed, so they will have a hard time establishing control.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

100 percent

[@spencebjj]

Thank you for sharing guys!!!

[@antoniyhristov]

Amazing concept, never thought of it! Keep up the great content, Jon, we all appreciate it very much!

[@pfdg500]

Amazing, I'm going to have to start playing around with this. Thank you for sharing!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah it’s so addictive when you start

[@alessandrofarinella4735]

My knee popped out just watching the first 10 seconds lol

[@dennissweeney7953]

Will give this a try tonight!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hope it works well for you!

[@andriyuzumaki666]

What a simple and effective idea 💡

[@race_allen]

I'm super excited to try this. Great video.

[@MikeYounes-e5d]

Your videos are solid gold

[@patrickdalessandri3177]

Great instructional! So simple a concept but effective.

[@lukaszbilski5373]

Amazing concept. I’ve seen this done by Pato, but your explanation is on point.

[@breakfastwithdragons]

This was gOld 🙏🏽✨ thanks Thomas 🎉

[@JonThomasBJJ]

You're so welcome!

[@blockmuse]

wonderful insights

[@kellaway-1578]

I'm 100% going to have to start stretching

[@jamesneddermeyer3984]

Much appreciated 🙏🌎🤙

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy to help!

[@Vscustomprinting]

Trained it, sprained it (jk).. Cant wait to do it again..

[@willieb.hardigan6091]

Who is this Espen guy, looks like he has got good balance

[@ni1name]

Great stuff! Loved this!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@zakh1866]

I tore my LCL doing this and now I'm afraid 😭 - Great content though!!

[@AEB-tb3om]

Yeah I agree with the concept for very flexible people, but if you use this technique to be at the very end range of your flexibility, and they stack you FURTHER, I do fear that you'll pop something in your knee specifically

[@Vscustomprinting]

@@AEB-tb3om its a concept for everyone but people that are completely inflexible due to the framing mechanics and movement mechanics ..

[@Username18981]

People's hips need to take the brunt of the pressure. If your gup cand move to take off the pressure you will wreck your knee.

[@svatandoost]

Hip Rotation and stretch is mostly in the glutes than knee

[@chanbru]

Thank you

[@davormladinic6617]

Thank you for sharing these details

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy to help!

[@alevieirareis]

I had never heard anything even like that. That's why your channel is so recommended, Thomas

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah it’s such a small idea but insanely powerful when you start using it, instantly makes a massive improvement in guard!

[@supermanbeer84]

100% giving this a go

[@ndaking]

Can't wait to try these techniques.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hope it helps a lot!

[@rollrolleat]

Thank you for a great tip for recovery!! Is it possible to make damage my own leg? It looks so scaring thing.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I think it’s very safe if you just watch how far you push it, I have 50 plus people in gym using it who aren’t flexible. Just check your own tolerance levels

[@ThinkingFramework]

my knees might break😂

[@Azmx986]

For a potential future video I'd love to hear your thoughts on flexibility, stretching, programming of it, and why it matters.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I might bring a guest in to discuss!

[@Raivopaa]

Great stuff. I've been done this for ages. Kind of. When you're too stiff, you don't have other options than help your legs with your arms 😅

[@JonThomasBJJ]

100 percent it’s great for non flexible people because they can put their foot in position

[@bazlewis]

This is pretty fantastic. A gamechanger that isn't hyperbole. I've been farting about with grabbing my leg in various ways for a bit now due to a hip injury, but without the foresight to thread that idea together into an actual guard retention concept. I'd gotten as far as, that's sore or I can't move my hip that much, grab that dumb leg and move.

[@UnskilledGrappler]

Movements like this make me fart too.

[@Vscustomprinting]

@@UnskilledGrappler this is an underutilized way to help defend. Sometimes you have to pass to prevent the pass

[@ardemesa88]

Eddie Bravo employed similar technique in his breakthrough match vs Royler, way back in 2003

[@Demonthya]

ok... I need to unlock my hips

[@Vscustomprinting]

I find this is exactly as adversized.. My teammates also pointed out that its often easier to bring parts of your body to yourself (for bigger, less flexible people) when you opponents are pushing on you, almost like they help you..

[@tvbuster]

This is a creative solution but for me personally it looks like knee LCL snap city.

[@seazerespiritu137]

This has improved my game so much since this video came out

[@JonThomasBJJ]

That was the goal! Some of the best stuff doesn’t do well in the beginning but when people use it months later they see how much it changed their game

[@orgANGmo]

If I knee this video was coming 25 years ago, I would have studied to be a knee surgeon.

[@leandroviannachagas7282]

Thanks! Will help me a lot

[@linusji1732]

Sadly for me, I blew my outside ligament in a matrix attempt last year, so I will never be able or even dare to do this

[@steph-3026]

I first saw Diego Pato show this on Flo, its still new to me so I'm glad you guys broke down this technique by concepts and applications.😄

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I had loosely seen the idea of grabbing foot before but never really went far into how far you could take it!

[@mavka.chorna]

This is the first time i've heard Espen speak 😅

[@rkp1222]

Fantastic content as always. Thanks guys

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy to help

[@mendybaev]

wow just amazing and so simple

[@willrob3951]

this is amazing

[@radicalmaverick77]

I just want an in depth instructional in that back take at the very end! Straight ankle, inversion, to crab ride?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Might throw something up on second channel on this

[@radicalmaverick77]

​@@JonThomasBJJ did you make something? Thanks!

[@abdelhamid6674]

Looks awesome I will try it in next rolls

[@RodMaxdi]

Guard retention instructional are definitely the most useful

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Absolutely

[@onyxcideYT]

I feel dirty… like I should’ve had to pay for this. Golden rules for guard retention

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hahahah was hard to release this one because it’s so damn good, sometime you want to hold on to the secrets but it’s better the world has it! Now everyone got to reinvent passing

[@marinradovan9539]

This is great. I've been working a lot on frames lately (inspired by Rafa), and this ads another dimension. How much flexibility is needed? My hip mobility is really bad

[@smasher1234]

You know what also helps to keep your guard is being able to gold yourself like paper. Lol. But this will help me thank you

[@-jack-6801]

So much evolution of the art happens everyday. I wonder how different jiu jitsu will be in 20-30 years.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

It’s gonna be crazy for sure!

[@tomwalker389]

This WILL Change My Knees forever!!

[@Vscustomprinting]

Youd be surprised.. just playing around with it, its easy (easier, even!) on the knees because of all the framing

[@jeffersonbarbosa5034]

Veri good 🙏🙏🙏

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much!

[@chrismize2738]

I would think of this as an attribute rather than a technique. To think I thought that rubber guard was rough on the joints😳

[@JerseyDevil_RF]

His knees are made of rubber! 😮

[@ecady75]

Awesome thx for sharing

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks for watching!

[@synthamesk]

Simple but genius

[@JonThomasBJJ]

It really is

[@TheEverydayJiuJitsuPodcast]

Great stuff

[@fordguyfordguy]

Jon, can you please go over the reverse matrix sequence Espen does at 7:14?

[@MrCheatDany]

Is it safe for knees? With decent mobility, isnt there risk of ACL/LCL tear?

[@ArielTabak]

If you have enough hip external rotation and strength throughout that range, you will be okay.

[@KilljoyJiuJitsu]

🤯 This is a game changer!

[@Pifagorass]

Genius tricks ❤ 😁

[@timothylee5824]

Appreciate the novel content!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy you liked it

[@dragosristici]

HOLY COW

[@jaredh713]

Can you do a video on hip and hamstring stretches so we can try this?

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Will probably bring on an outside expert for stretching related stuff