Legitimate guard passing aid?

[Lynch Beast]

Been going to BJJ for around 4 months now, 1 stripe white belt, 6'2 230 and compete in powerlifting so have solid strength to start with.

While rolling last 3 sessions I have been holding on to the back of my opponents head while passing guard, I seem to be able to break their legs apart a little easier, at the same time I am putting quite a lot of weight on their upper body to then move to half guard and continue on with my game.

Is pulling on the head effective ? is there a name for the move or strategies to put in place so it's more effective?

 

[SuperSuperRambo]

What you're doing is called a can opener. To make it more effective, keep your elbows tucked in like a thai clinch, and don't do it from your knees.

 

[yovan]

Learn how to pass guard without brute strength and can openers plz.

 

[ATL]

Learn how to pass guard without brute strength and can openers plz.

agreed

 

[ATL]

one thing i always go back to is is just a basic pass

strong base
elbows in thighs until one side opens
sneak knee in or scoop with arm
sinc eyou say your strong this technique should be rather easy if done correctly

 

[Lynch Beast]

It's why I'm asking, I'm usually the biggest in the class, I want to develop a strong technical game and not rely on strength. Don't get me wrong, I want to play to my physical strengths eventually but I want a really solid technical game to base it on.

 

[SuperSuperRambo]

Learn how to pass guard without brute strength and can openers plz.

I weigh 145 lbs and I use this effectively to open the guard. It's not all brute strength when done with technique (as opposed to the Mark Kerr way, which is brute strength).

 

[ATL]

It's why I'm asking, I'm usually the biggest in the class, I want to develop a strong technical game and not rely on strength. Don't get me wrong, I want to play to my physical strengths eventually but I want a really solid technical game to base it on.

Im 6'2 240 so I understand, your going to have to program yourself not to do it. Just keep drilling the techniques being taught and try to use with minimal strength

 

[Higher Learning]

I weigh 145 lbs and I use this effectively to open the guard. It's not all brute strength when done with technique (as opposed to the Mark Kerr way, which is brute strength).

it is illegal in a ton of tournaments though

 

[ATL]

I weigh 145 lbs and I use this effectively to open the guard. It's not all brute strength when done with technique (as opposed to the Mark Kerr way, which is brute strength).

 

[yovan]

I weigh 145 lbs and I use this effectively to open the guard. It's not all brute strength when done with technique (as opposed to the Mark Kerr way, which is brute strength).

eh, I'm not down with the can openers. Usually it comes from beginners, and just pisses me off.

From the beginner's perspective, get posture. It all starts from there.

 

[HIMBOB]

What is the best defence to a can opener?

 

[yovan]

What is the best defence to a can opener?

Open your guard

 

[AwesomeSquad]

It's why I'm asking, I'm usually the biggest in the class, I want to develop a strong technical game and not rely on strength. Don't get me wrong, I want to play to my physical strengths eventually but I want a really solid technical game to base it on.

That's commendable. I made it a point to not use strength and now ,several years later, it is paying off dividends. I wasn't nearly as big as you but I made it a point to never use strength.

 

[sanchezero]

can openers are pretty irritating. i usually respond with a vicious titty twister, just to set the mood.

being a super strong giant, you'll reap huge benefits from using proper structure and just using enough strength to maintain it. just build appropriate frames and use your base and your weight to pop open the guard. once you get it down right, you'll be pretty tough to deal with.

like with any technique though, the learning process will be filled with failures as you get things figured out. stick with it and don't just fall back on 'hulk smash' when your technique doesn't work the 1st time. it's perfectly acceptable to spend a month (or several) just working the shit outta one guard opening/pass. especially if you want it to be top notch.

 

[Ice 9 Cobra]

What is the best defence to a can opener?

if you put your arms over his, your forehead will hit your forearms and he can't do it.

 

[buhriyon]

That is a complete beginner move and not even a good one at that. Number one it is dangerous, number two it wont work on more experienced guys and would probably really piss someone off. My advice don't do it.

 

[Zankou]

Can opener is a perfectly valid and effective move. If you are just being lazy and relying on it as a crutch, however, that's another issue.

A good guard player shouldn't let you grab his head, and if you do, should light you up by countering the grab. I go for the 2 on 1 every time one of the guy's hands so much as touches my head.

 

[BJ@LW&WW]

I'm surprised so many people are down for can-openers. I assumed most schools would mark it as illegal/rude no?

 

[sanchezero]

hard to call neck cranks valid since they're almost always illegal in tourneys. i certainly think they should be used appropriately in training so that people will know what to do when someone does use 'em, but for it to be the goto technique of a giant, powerlifting new guy is asking for trouble.