Mastering the Guard: Tradition versus Innovation (Page 1) - Discussion

1 Topic by Dan Vanderlans 2010-09-01 22:21:40

Dan Vanderlans
White Belt
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Registered: 2010-09-01
Posts: 14

Topic: Mastering the Guard: Tradition versus Innovation

hello friends,

This is my first post from up here in Nova Scotia Canada where I train at Gracie Barra Truro NS. I really love to play the guard so I would like some insight or opinions on how to develop a solid guard.

Do the best guard players typically have one style or multiple styles? For example, I wonder if the best guard players typically become proficient in all ( x, butterfly, de la Riva...) or do they master one style and spend all/most of their time perfecting it? It would take years to become good in all of them. Is being very strong in one style enough?

Any insight into developing a strong guard would be appreciated

Thanks

Dan

2 Reply by chewie 2010-09-01 23:20:17

chewie
Black Belt
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From: Texas
Registered: 2010-04-05
Posts: 205

Re: Mastering the Guard: Tradition versus Innovation

welcome to the board...

how long have you been training?

i've been training for many years and have become proficient at many types of guard...they are all useful at different times...

3 Reply by Capoeira 2010-09-02 14:18:26

Capoeira
faixa roxa
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Registered: 2010-04-05
Posts: 69

Re: Mastering the Guard: Tradition versus Innovation

Explore a few types that you can easily integrate in your guard game. For example, you can interchange de la Riva and spider guard easily. Also, you will naturally find yourself going back to at least one of them over and over again. So make that your bread and butter move. So let’s say you’re a spider guard player. If you find yourself in a position where you cannot use spider guard techniques, then you explore the escapes and transitions that will put you back into spider guard. This doesn’t mean you should throw the rest of the guards out of the window but look at the situation at hand. You don’t have to be an expert to get a simple sweep from butterfly guard. At least know the positions but that will come with time. In tournaments you will see black belt champs that use one particular move more than another but doesn’t mean that is their only one. They transition from one to another as well, but they are integrated to fit his game. That is what makes a beautiful flow of jiu jitsu in my opinion.

4 Reply by Dan from NS 2010-09-04 15:28:23

Dan Vanderlans
White Belt
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Registered: 2010-09-01
Posts: 14

Re: Mastering the Guard: Tradition versus Innovation

Thanx for the responses,

I have been training for close to four years now. I am most comfortable in the guard and I have become proficient at defending using an open guard with a mix of butterfly, spider, and De La Riva mostly. Yet, the more I surf the net, the more new guards are popping up and I don't think it makes sense to attempt to learn them all and not master one in particular. Yet at the same time, like you have said, I need some understanding of all of them. I suppose I am trying to strike a balance in training philosophy. I have learned that the jiu jitsu journey is as much a philosophical journey as much as it is as a physical/ mental/emotional journey...if that makes sense....I love the journey!

appreciated your time