Clinching guards the next step for MMA

[pheonix5]

So many fighters nowadays who use the guard ineffectively get beat down by good wrestlers. In that respect I found an interesting blog discussing the importance of protection first using clinching guards.


http://radicalmmanyc.com/is-the-guard-dead-3/

[Discipulus]

I like Dreifuss' "rat guard." Makes a lot more sense to me as a control position than rubber guard, and doesn't require the bananas flexibility that a lot of the rubber guard positions do.

[Free your mind]

Im under the impression that a lot of people are to defensive in the guard. If you find someone in your guard during a fight something went wrong. However since your already there you might as well come to terms with the fact that you're about to catch a beating(possibly even a fight ending beating) so you might as well get busy. The guy on top of you is going to have a much harder time raining down punishment if he is constantly fighting off sub and escape/reversal attempts.

That being said I still say the guard is my last choice if im being out wrestled, turtle, side control bottom and half guard in my opinion are much better starting points to try and get back to your feet than starting in the guard.

[pheonix5]

Originally Posted by Discipulus

I like Dreifuss' "rat guard." Makes a lot more sense to me as a control position than rubber guard, and doesn't require the bananas flexibility that a lot of the rubber guard positions do.

Just watched a vid on that. Good stuff. It takes alot of steam off of the punches. Did these guys come up with that ?

Nevermind. I found it was developed by a Marcelo Garcia Brown Belt.

[Discipulus]

Originally Posted by pheonix5

Just watched a vid on that. Good stuff. It takes alot of steam off of the punches. Did these guys come up with that ?

Nevermind. I found it was developed by a Marcelo Garcia Brown Belt.

I think a few people have independently come to the same position, but Dreifuss seems to have a pretty complete system from there.

[shizzybrane]

These are my bread and butter guards.
Rat guard is the real deal. The rubber guard is too, and IMO flexability hasnt been an issue (its all in the angle). BJ penn refers to his overhook based guard as the "damn good guard." Using the guillotine as a control position like Marcelo also really work for me to avoid heavy strikes and set up subs (similar to the rat guard).

[attestedplum]

Thanks TS, I really like the look of this rat guard. I already play rubber and SW guard so this system will fit in nicely to my game

[Shemhazai]

I think limiting one's guard game only to the positions that protect the head/control posture is just too limiting. He uses an example of someone getting KTFO in deep half guard, but there are probably more examples of people taking very little damage in deep half guard and being able to score a sweep or chase the takedown. It's the type of position that has to be played aggressively to keep the guy using his hands to base instead of punching, but IMO disregarding all such positions because they can go wrong if you fuck up, well ... I just think it would make your guard game more predictable and easier to shut down.

[Jhf884]

Someone school a NOOB: What's the rat guard?

[attestedplum]

Originally Posted by Jhf884

Someone school a NOOB: What's the rat guard?