Rubber Guard: Trouble With Breakdown

[Ross Davidson]

My game has changed dramatically since starting to train with legit 10th Planet guys (big thanks to the Woolseys); my lockdown game has become much stronger, my leg locks are coming along nicely, and I'm getting pretty decent at catching people in the truck from turtle and side control. However, one thing I'm still struggling with, which I'm sure will dramatically improve my game, is breaking people down (properly) for the rubber guard. I'm still working on flexibility, but I have enough to do the basic path and some meathook action, and on occasion I'm even lucky enough to break someone down the right way for it. Most guys at my gym, however, are really good at not giving any hip space while in my guard, which then calls my flexibility into question. I feel like with enough technique and reps though I should be able to get breakdowns much easier. Any tips?

[Chris Herzog]

You feel like you have enough reps in breaking them down doesn't = breaking them down. Keep drilling it. Breaking posture and establishing posture is a war zone, something you will have to battle everyday. There is never enough reps in drilling those.

That said one little tip, make sure you are not trying to sit straight up onto their lap. Make a subtle angle (a mini shrimp) before sitting up on them, this changes the angle of their arms slightly making sure you are not fighting directly into the structural integrity on their arms.

[Ross Davidson]

You feel like you have enough reps in breaking them down doesn't = breaking them down. Keep drilling it. Breaking posture and establishing posture is a war zone, something you will have to battle everyday. There is never enough reps in drilling those.

That said one little tip, make sure you are not trying to sit straight up onto their lap. Make a subtle angle (a mini shrimp) before sitting up on them, this changes the angle of their arms slightly making sure you are not fighting directly into the structural integrity on their arms.

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind from now on.

[Brandon Woolsey]

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind from now on.

Ross it is most important to remember anything and everything that Coach tells you. His Midi-chlorian count is so high that its unreadable!! No bullshit, unreadable!

[Ross Davidson]

Haha! Unreadable!

[Chris Herzog]

[Dylan Ehrnreiter]

At the Richmond seminar Eddie talked about sitting up and just grabbing their head, baiting them to take the underhook on that side and launching you straight to new york. Something I personally like doing is getting there from lockdown when they beat me to the good side underhook. I'll whizzer and take the Stomp to get New York.

Good luck!

[Brandon Mccaghren]

+1 for Herzog's tip: always look for angle before you attack. It's gonna be much easier than fighting strength on strength. Keep that in mind for all of your guard positions.

[bobby rivers]

Also remember its okay to open your guard for a sec, scoot your butt back, grab his head, then break his posture and reclose guard. This is what I use on Greek god statue posture. Gotta divert their attention and be quick or else that knees comin up. Plus, if there 100% defending posture, hip bump. Keeps em' honest.

[Brent Smith]

Repetition repetition repetition. If you can pull the moves off against guys that know what you're doing then when you go against someone that doesn't know a thing about rubber guard youll completely tool them.

Also remember its okay to open your guard for a sec, scoot your butt back, grab his head, then break his posture and reclose guard. This is what I use on Greek god statue posture. Gotta divert their attention and be quick or else that knees comin up. Plus, if there 100% defending posture, hip bump. Keeps em' honest.

This is also an option but PERSONALLY I don't like to open my guard. Diverting their attention is a great way to open attacks though. You probably wont start doing that for awhile though. As you progress youll combine attacks and diverting will really help you open up attacks.