Short Legs - Guard Options

Discussion in 'Grappling Technique' started by Easto, May 20, 2008.

  1. Easto Green Belt

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2007
    Messages:
    1,036
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Canada
    I have short stocky legs. My legs are very very strong, but I can hardly lock in a closed guard on most guys I roll with. My feet lock, not my ankles so it is very easy for my partner to break open my guard.

    What is my next best option? Should I focus on butterfly?

    I learned some nice sweeps from butterfly this weekend during a seminar. Is it wise for a newbie to work on something like this or should I stick to attempting closed guard for now?
     
  2. Tony Manifold Brown Belt

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2005
    Messages:
    2,773
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Victoria, BC

    get you feet on his hips or use a z guard and work scissor sweeps. My legs are extremely short as well and this has worked for me.
     
  3. BJJ in Chicago Livin' la vida bomba

    Joined:
    May 27, 2006
    Messages:
    2,916
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Trying desperately to learn the berimbolo
    buy helio soneca's half guard dvd. it's an amazing guard for somebody who is smaller.
     
  4. txfighter13 Purple Belt

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2006
    Messages:
    1,724
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Lone Star State
    use the x guard
     
  5. judofarmerbob Banned Banned

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    Messages:
    296
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    IIII OOOO WAAAAA
    learn your sweeps and then rock them. lanky people like myself have the luxury of being able to hang out in guard all day.

    maybe rubber guard, too. it's just gonna depend on who you're playing.

    sweeps are good though. sweepy sweepy sweep.
     
  6. davejitsu Purple Belt

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2007
    Messages:
    1,974
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Where silence speaks as loud as war
    What everyone else said, basically. Im a purple belt and have the same problem so I use either open guard with my feet on the hips, de la riva, or X-guard depending on the situation and my opp's abilities. The advantage is that you should be able to develop a solid half guard for sweeping.
     
  7. Trickster*** Banned Banned

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2008
    Messages:
    1,778
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Long Island, NY

    The kid at my academy who has this problem said he cant even DLR guard...I recommended he tried it but he couldnt push his opp's hip far enough away to make it effective. How tall are you?
     
  8. Lapu-Lapu Brown Belt

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2003
    Messages:
    2,540
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    North Carolina
    Work more on your top game. lol
     
  9. No Quarter Blue Belt

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2007
    Messages:
    618
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Pittsburghe, Transylvania
    I have a 28" inseam so needless to say I work alot on Butterfly and X guard.
     
  10. Gary Peters Purple Belt Professional Fighter

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2006
    Messages:
    2,025
    Likes Received:
    0
    Butterfly guard for sure.
     
  11. Jinzumkei Rock El Columbian

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2004
    Messages:
    4,693
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Irvine, CA
    i have a similar issue and i use a lot of Z guard, butterfly guard, and "sitting" guard.

    There's a purple belt at my school who has the issue too and he doesnt play a lot of full guard, but his half guard game is wicked.
     
  12. UrbanSavage** Pepe Silvia

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2006
    Messages:
    9,148
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    The mailroom.
    Butterfly and half guard. Look to work sweeps more than submissions from the bottom.
     
  13. davejitsu Purple Belt

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2007
    Messages:
    1,974
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Where silence speaks as loud as war
    Im 5'10", but I think the DLR guard is all about timing and can be easily used by short stocky legged guys. I use it when someone goes to stand or is inide passing with a knee up.
     
  14. UrbanSavage** Pepe Silvia

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2006
    Messages:
    9,148
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    The mailroom.
    DLR isn't a good guard for short legged guys, IMO.
     
  15. whipyourasstyle Exitus acta probat

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2003
    Messages:
    2,516
    Likes Received:
    0
    HALF GUARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    That said you can use any guard effectively. The Only "guard" that you have to have some special physical attribute to use is rubber guard (rubber bands instead of knee tendons. . . hence the name).

    Because of your size some may work better than others but you should be capable of playing all the guards.

    See other short players and their games . . . I can think of a few that I know personally who have short legs and are legit bad ass black belts

    Marcos 'Parrumpinha' Da Matta
    Renato Tavares
    Rafael Rebello
     
  16. SMillard Red Belt

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2007
    Messages:
    8,603
    Likes Received:
    28
    Location:
    America's wang
    I have a 29" inseam, 24" thighs and 16" calves and I have no problem using closed guard on 90% of the people I roll with and that 10 percent are fat asses in the >250 lbs range. I can't imagine you aren't doing something wrong maybe you are giving too much space or something. I definitely talk to your instructor about this.
     

Share This Page

X
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.