Gracie juijitsu basics -- Torrance Academy

[GuardMaster]

To all knowledgeable grapplers of Torrance Academy..

I just purchased Gracie Juijitsu basics series, and find that Rorion's teaching is solid. I like the techniques in general and am very happy to see they require the least use of strength.

My main concern is the passing guard tape. It seems that the main method used would get you caught in a triangle choke. Now while I understand that the man on the street doesn't know this most beginning grapplers do.

How do the gracies modify this method of passing guard against people who know triangle? Do they still use it and if so with what modifications?

I'm considering purchasing the intermediate tapes as well and have a few questions to any people who have already made this purchase.

[Mr. Heel Hook]

It tells you how not to get caught in the triangle, doesn't it? Aside from that, I prefere passing the guard standing up... always standing up.

[Mr. Miyagi]

I don't see why you would end up in someone's guard on the street, unless they too train.
It's true that the pass you're talking about can get you into a triangle. I don't ever use it in training but I've seen Royler use it in competition and get away with it, he must know something that I don't.

[GuardMaster]

Triangle

No Rorion does not mention how to avoid triangle when passing guard -- I am talking of the "Gracie Basics" tape.

My second question to you is why do you say to always pass standing up?

[buddyq]

Passing the guard

the way I pass the guard is first put your knee in his butt. Right between the cheeks real tight. Put your other leg out for balance. Make sure its not in his grabbing range. Then with the same arm as the balancing leg, reach on the outside of his outter leg and grab the opposite side of the collar and pull towards you as you push his leg with your body towards his forhead. His leg will slip to your side and you will be in the side mount. Hard to explaing without pictures. Thats just one of the ways. There are several.

Buddy

[Mr. Heel Hook]

Well, if you are passing the guard in the fashion from the tapes, just keep your head up high and your posture ridged. The reason why is to make it hard for the person in the guard to clamp his legs on you in an effective manor.

As for passing g the guard standing up, that's just how I prefer to do so now and that's how Rener and Ryron teaches it now. It is far more effective and safe I think and is just how I prefer to do it now.

[SweepEm]

Rorion is a great teacher.

Rorion's sons, Renner and Ryron are teaching a majority of the classes at Torrance and my friends tell me they are great teachers too.

Regarding passing the guard, you can pass the guard what's shown on the tape without getting caught in a triangle if you don't extend the arm that is holding the lapels too far up.
When you are in a person's closed guard, you should never have one hand holding the lapel(s) higher than your opponent's solar plexus and the other hand grabbing your opponents belt or pants at the waist to control the hip.
The problem is that most guys have their hand too high and that will lead to your opponent catching you in a triangle.
From what people have said, Royler still uses this method of passing the guard all the time. Sure, Royler is a black belt but he does use this type of guard pass.

You can use this type of guard pass but you need to be very careful of your lead arm and have it closer in and as soon as your opponent opens his legs, you have to immediately pull your arm and elbow inside his thighs.

[buddyq]

Elbows

Your right. Keeping those elbows in is sometimes everything. It'll keep you from getting caught in a lot of situations. if I'm passing the guard and I see them make a move to try a lock I quickly put my elbows into his thighs.

Another way of passing the guard was to first break his legs open by grabbing the pants in each hand near the crotch and dig your elbows into his thighs pushing them apart while at the same time standing to a crouching position which will force the legs open. Once the legs open, with one of your elbows keep pushing that leg till its below your knee. Then put your knee on his thigh pushing his leg to the ground and pinning it. Now your on top of his leg. While going to the side with the leg down, keep the leg pinned. Dont let your first leg off until you have your second leg taking over keeping it pinned. Once your passed you can let it go.

I actually saw Takada do this in a Pride match. It was an awesome show of skill.

Buddy

[Martial Artist]

Royler uses a very similiar pass in competition. Check out Joe Moreiras new guard passing set at www.islandmartialarts.com

He teaches this pass in detail.

[LoudenSwain]

No Rorion does not mention how to avoid triangle when passing guard -- I am talking of the "Gracie Basics" tape.

My second question to you is why do you say to always pass standing up?

The key to not getting caught in a triangle is keeping your elbow GLUED to your knee.

Once you pass one hand under the leg, GLUE your elbow to your ribs. If he never controls your arm, he can't triangle you. If he does control your arm, abandon the guard pass.

[crazyjoe380]

dude.. tapes are cool but you need a coach to really teach you what you need to know..

if an instructor teaches a "technique" he is going to teach not just how to do it but what to look for, what not to do, what other moves are associated w/ that move.. lots of s.hit... so tapes are cool but not like an instructor..

[sapatiero]

dig your elbows into his thighs pushing them apart

Not sure about that one, Buddy. You can usually tell the MMA guy in the BJJ class, as he`s the `thigh digger`. BJJ`s not based on using strength to pry the legs apart, and it seldom works on a seasoned BJJ practicioner. The guard opening techniques that do work are based on leverage, and they don`t leave bruises

[SweepEm]

yeah, for me, when a guy is trying to dig his elbows in my thighs, I just wait and let him use up a bunch of energy to frustrate him. Then I'll look at him and ask if he's through...because that isn't going to work...

When you're new to Jiu Jitsu, digging your elbows in a person's thighs in closed guard works against guys that don't train BJJ or are new....

[blitz]

Yeah I got tapped 4 times in my first roll 2 days ago against a guy whos been practicing for 3 years ;(

[OttawaFighter]

if download something called ares u should be able to download most of there videos otherwise i can send u some so u dont have to buy them