Preventing the Guard pass is the most important aspect of Jiu-Jitsu. The position is called Guard for the very purpose that the Guard position is what protect the bottom fighter from being attacked. Loose the Guard and you will not only be vulnerable to attacks but you will also start to get tired, once tired your technique will start to suffer.

Be sure to train your Guard preventions above all. Having a difficult Guard to pass will allow you to relax and have the confidence to attack you opponent. The harder you Guard is to pass the more you can open up and take chance.

Be sure to work this sequence it is a very power recipe for Guard retention.

Preventing the Guard pass is the most important aspect of Jiu-Jitsu. The position is called Guard for the very purpose that the Guard position is what protect the bottom fighter from being attacked. Loose the Guard and you will not only be vulnerable to attacks but you will also start to get tired, once tired your technique will start to suffer.

Be sure to train your Guard preventions above all. Having a difficult Guard to pass will allow you to relax and have the confidence to attack you opponent. The harder you Guard is to pass the more you can open up and take chance.

Be sure to work this sequence it is a very power recipe for Guard retention.

When it come to learn BJJ there is no faking it, you either get on the mats and show what you can do or you sit on the side lines and talk theory. While theory is important we need to be sure not to get caught up in over analysis and theoretical concepts but rather take as measurements what actually happens on the mat.

Many great and powerful martial arts have over time been watered down so as to appeal to the masses need to move forward in the belt system without having to go through what mastery truly requires. This has happened in many arts and is slowly also happening in BJJ. Luckily BJJ is not an easy art to fake or water down since sparring is still very much a central theme. Still many schools are feeling the pressures of giving out more strips and belts to keep memberships flowing. This puts a the BJJ community in a difficult situation, water down or loose members to those who do.

All this to say that be careful when choosing and instructor, this is the first important decision you must make on you road to mastery. The second most important decision is to cultivate an attitude of learning. When you go in the practice room go to learn and not dominate. Mastering BJJ entails for the most of us getting your ass kick for close to a decade before achieving the status of black belts. If you are to sensitive and you go into a negative downward spiral overtime you get tapped out you will no survive the journey. Instead focus you attention on what you have learned and not whether you dominated or not.

When you find yourself in side control be sure to prevent your opponent from getting the grips he needs to hold you down. By knowing the key grips you will be able to prevent your opponent from establishing a strong position. This will make for an easy escape and possibly also a submission.

Whether you’re competing or find yourself in a street situation the Arm-drag should be on the top of your list. This move if simple and powerful and has been used in all levels of competition. If you have drilled your arm drag thoroughly anyone who reaches his arm out to touch you will wish he or she didn’t. Be sure to drill this move so you don’t get pushed around.

When doing a knee slide pass it is common for your opponent to try and underhook. Be sure to drill these counters and get into a finishing position.

When attempting an armbar be ready for your opponent to lock his hands in several possible way to prevent the finish. Here are a few of my favourite was to split his grip.

Close guard doesn’t have to be static. The next time you find yourself in closed Guard try this combo.