Concerns With My Prison Guard

[Ross Davidson]

I have two quandaries I have run into with concern to Prison Guard. I'll state them in order because I have a strong feeling that the first may be dictating the second, to a degree.

First, I've realized the importance of having an angle, as well as the foot on the near side hip. However, I have not had success with getting the near side foot on the hip. I can still get the angle, and I can still use a modified shuck (basically me just using underhook leverage and upper body strength) to clear the arm. I think, no, I know, that this is hindering me from getting the most out of PG, and tiring me out in the process. From PDU I find it very easy to knee squeeze the torso to shuck; probably because of the seeeerious angle PDU comes with.

Second, once the arm is cleared, especially against bigger guys, I have trouble taking the back without them pressuring me back down into the starting position from full guard. Could this be caused by a lack of foot-hippage? Or is there some small detail I'm forgetting to do? Possibly move into a much higher guard after the shuck?

It's important for me to be able to take these guys' backs because they're so much bigger than me and my swim move isn't very polished at all.

Thoughts?

[Chad Clark]

I've been trying to up my prison guard for awhile, but I've been going from half-guard mostly. If I can get it from full guard, as soon as I shuck the whizzer, I try and lock up an arm triangle. If I can get the figure four I'll squeeze for a few seconds, see if I can get enough pressure for a tap, and if its a no-sell, I'll try and put a butterfly in and sweep them over. If you don't want to go through all that, lock up the arm triangle to keep them from squaring up as much, hip out a little bit so you can sit up for the back take a little easier? Also put reps into swim move, or lock the shoulder and toss them if they pressure into you but you still have an angle for a deep hook?

Edit: also if you need to fish your underhook deeper, don't forget to literally use your head. I like digging it under the jaw and into the neck. I feel it makes getting a better and deeper angle a lot easier.

[Ross Davidson]

I'm gonna have to try the arm triangle and the head digging lol. Thanks man. I'm also considering just trying to use the far side hip for leverage too.

[Tony "The Goods" Garcia]

Chad is spot on and has been working that dirty prison guard longer than I. I can tell you one thing for sure though, your head is a weapon! Head fight, drive it into them till they want to puke. It makes EVERYTHING easier.

[Nathan K.]

If you're able to get the proper angle, there shouldn't be a reason you can't get your foot on the hip unless it's an issue of flexibility. I say, don't be afraid to scoot your hips out more and really commit to the position; it's very secure when done properly.

Your second question is an easy one. As soon as you shuck that arm, you HAVE to take a high guard. As high as possible really, as far up his shoulders as you can get. You should be all the way on your side, digging your head into his head or neck to keep the arm secured. If your guard is too low, it is really easy for him to free his arm and escape back to standard full guard, especially if he's really strong. Also, this positioning makes the Swim Move transition incredibly simple.

[lilasmadja]

Ok, lots of stuff going on here but I'll answer the back-take question since it's the most direct. Basically, if you want to effectively make the transition from Prison-Guard to the Back, your gonna have to rely on your Homie-Control squeeze(head&arm) to keep their posture broken down so u can make the move. Your bottom leg is a butterfly hook which will soon become a back mount hook, but first you have to PUSH OFF the floor with the ball of your foot while simultaneously pushing off either THE HIP or THE GROUND with the other foot which will whip it's way around the back and become your 2nd Backmount hook. You NEVER let go of the head&arm HOMIE CTRL while making the transition with your legs to the back. Your homie-ctrl becomes over-under control on the back and your opponent was never afforded a chance to escape...cuz they in prison yo. That makes sense? So if your opponent is just resetting their base and shucking you off back into full-guard or prison guard, really clamp down with your head and arm control paying particular emphasis on the back of their neck and keeping their posture broken while you slide around to the back. Enjoy! -Compella

[Ross Davidson]

If you're able to get the proper angle, there shouldn't be a reason you can't get your foot on the hip unless it's an issue of flexibility. I say, don't be afraid to scoot your hips out more and really commit to the position; it's very secure when done properly.

Your second question is an easy one. As soon as you shuck that arm, you HAVE to take a high guard. As high as possible really, as far up his shoulders as you can get. You should be all the way on your side, digging your head into his head or neck to keep the arm secured. If your guard is too low, it is really easy for him to free his arm and escape back to standard full guard, especially if he's really strong. Also, this positioning makes the Swim Move transition incredibly simple.

Ok, lots of stuff going on here but I'll answer the back-take question since it's the most direct. Basically, if you want to effectively make the transition from Prison-Guard to the Back, your gonna have to rely on your Homie-Control squeeze(head&arm) to keep their posture broken down so u can make the move. Your bottom leg is a butterfly hook which will soon become a back mount hook, but first you have to PUSH OFF the floor with the ball of your foot while simultaneously pushing off either THE HIP or THE GROUND with the other foot which will whip it's way around the back and become your 2nd Backmount hook. You NEVER let go of the head&arm HOMIE CTRL while making the transition with your legs to the back. Your homie-ctrl becomes over-under control on the back and your opponent was never afforded a chance to escape...cuz they in prison yo. That makes sense? So if your opponent is just resetting their base and shucking you off back into full-guard or prison guard, really clamp down with your head and arm control paying particular emphasis on the back of their neck and keeping their posture broken while you slide around to the back. Enjoy! -Compella

Thanks! Both of you! I think these details are what I've been in need of. I can't wait to rep it out against the white belts as I roll with em haha (white belts are hard to come by at my gym)