Toughening the Guard

[S_Ryan]

Hi Guy's

Does anybody here have any specific exercises to strengthen the legs for the guard, or any drills that help enforce it.

I've tried some stuff. Like having your partner stand and squat with you in the guard - good for him, and for you. Oh, and of course. The usual squats.

What do you guy's do?

[Underdog]

Hi Sean how is done in the sfuk forum?

If you have acces to a bodybuilding gym you'll find the adductor machine (the one that girls use for the leg adductor muscles) real useful. LOL!

[Anaconda]

hit the weights in the gym: squats, leg curls, leg ext, etc. also deadlifts.

roll and use your guard as much as possible. let your partner punch and elbow your thighs and dig his elbows into your inner thigh. not all-out but enough so you feel it.

[Mad Dog]

Underdog is right. The machine he mentioned is the single best thing you can do for the muscles you use in the guard. Good luck getting the 300 lb. fat chicks who sit on it for 30 minutes using 20 lbs of resistance for 2000 reps, thinking its going to make their elephant size legs thin...Whew! Just had to get that out..You'll see what I mean!

[SweepEm]

One drill that is good for both dudes is to have one guy stand, in base and the other jumps to get the guy in guard, with his legs wrapped around his waist and do sit ups from there. If you are starting out and not in great shape, keep one hand in the guy's lapel to pull you up and then gradually work with no hands.
This keeps pressure on the guy that is standing, to keep and make a solid base, the other guy is working his legs and also his stomach muscles.
There are many more, but this one is an excellent drill to work on the guard and to tone the muscles needed for a strong guard.

[Eazy-E]

Dont forget the stomach muscles! I think these are almost as important as the legs in working a good guard.

E

[RYAN410]

I'm sure your legs are strong enough right now..
As your technic improves over time you are able to keep your opponent off balance...pushing on his hip w/your foot...pulling his head down...bringing his arm(s) across to break his balance....Then look for sweeps and/or arm bars....It will all come together in time.....