Random Notes on Guard Retention, Mind games and Leg Locks

Unlocking the Secrets to Guard Retention, Mastering Mind Games, and Dominating with Leg Locks

Hey there!

Welcome back to another issue of 80/20 BJJ Coach. This time, I’m doing something different. I usually have a concrete subject I want to cover in mind, but this past week I’ve been all over the place.

I blame it on the awesome fights we got this past weekend. I’ve watched like 50 matches in the past week (WNO, Polaris… and I subscribed to Enigma to study D. Corbe but ended up watching almost their entire library 🤯)

We're delving into the art of guard retention, how to keep your opponents on their toes with constant threats, mind games, and leg locks. Let's roll!

Maximizing Guard Retention

Guard playing is like a beautiful dance of offense and defense. Just sticking to defense won't cut it, as sooner or later, you'll make a mistake and find yourself in a tough spot. The key is transitioning from defense to offense seamlessly.

Remember this golden rule: "Every time you get out of a defensive cycle (recover your hipline), start an offensive cycle. If you wait, you'll get into a defensive cycle again and again."

The Knee Shield → A Game Changer

For those of us who might not have the athletic prowess of a young athlete, the knee shield is your best friend in guard retention. It's simple, effective, and can level the playing field.

The Golden Rule of Counter-Offense

Now, let's talk about choosing the right attacking options when moving from defense to offense. It all starts with head position:

• If their head is high, go for those leg attacks like the K-Guard and backside 50/50 on their front leg, and irimi ashi (SLX) on the back leg.

• When their head is low, focus on attacking the arms and neck with moves like triangles and armlocks. The Clamp guard presents itself a lot here. Sit-up escapes to Snapdowns (Marcelo Garcia Style)

Threat Theory - Keeping Your Opponents Guessing

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, momentum is all about mind games. Constantly keeping your opponent on edge is the name of the game. Make them fear your attacks, and they'll hesitate to initiate their own offensive cycles.

The One Target You Should Never Ignore

Legs, legs, legs! The DDS guys know what's up – attacking legs is the ultimate way to create constant threats. Make your opponents aware of your leg attack prowess, and you'll open up opportunities for your guard play.

Direct Attacks on the Legs

To be successful, you need to use Kuzushi to unbalance your opponent's leg and once they make one of their legs light, you attack that leg. The 2 on 1 ankle entries are a great way to get there.

So, there you have it, folks! Guard retention and constant threat creation – two essential elements of BJJ that can take your game to the next level.

Until then, keep rolling, keep learning, and never stop improving your BJJ game!