Help...closed guard technique

[TThompson]

Tonight while rolling I had a problem trying to get my rubber guard set up because of two reasons;

First, one guy who out weighed me by 20 pounds was driving down into me. I had double under hooks but he would not allow me to make any space to set up my rubber guard, and when I did try to use my weak side leg to ouch off his hip he would almost go for a leg drag or crush to pass it. At times he would stand on both feet or be up on leg so I know there are sweeps from there, but my sweep game is not that great from closed guard.

Second, another guy who out weighed my by 60 pounds in muscle was posturing up with both hands on my hips making it extremely difficult to even sit up. When I would try to clinch I just didn't have the ability to so, and I'm not sure if that was because he was sop strong or we were sweaty? I tried to snap his elbows but again I was unable to get him to move really.

Any advice will be helpful and appreciated because I'm still learning and wisdom is knowledge.

[Apperz]

My advice: as a white belt, don't panic that you can't force technique upon a guy who outweighs you by 10kilos.

My second piece of advice: as a white belt, don't panic that you can't force technique upon a guy who outweighs you by 30kilos.

Even against someone your own weight Rubber Guard takes a long time to develop a feeling for. People will pop out, they will pass over your leg.

Keep working it. They will keep passing and stuffing you. One day, as your squeeze and transitional speed develops (from sparring people your own weight and relentlessly practicing), you will be able to get it and maintain it.

If you have Eddie's books there are sections on 'breaking your opponent down' and 'troubleshooting the rubber guard'.

[Apperz]

One more piece of advice: Eddie always says that 'Flying Kung Fu Move' is his go to when sparring people with a hefty weight advantage. Perhaps look that up.

[Brandon Mccaghren]

If your objective is to develop your rubber guard, ask your training partner to start the rolls from there and reset to your closed guard when the escape happens. Practice situational sparring. If your objective is to win your rolls using rubber guard, you may want to investigate some ways to convince your opponent that he would, in fact, like to clinch with you in order to pass or prevent a sweep. That might mean developing some other guards and learning to scoop out holes for your opponent to fall into. Learn to lay traps and skip all the hard parts of the rubber guard. Flying Kung fu, rescue dog, false sweeps, etc...

[apygav]

I'm having great success with free New York / meat hook from cocoon - maybe give that a try

[TThompson]

Thanks for the advice guys. I am trying to develop my rubber guard game, but I know that it doesn't always work so I know I need to develop better sweeps or attacks to these two counters. I'll also take a look at the "free New York/meat hook from cocoon."

[bobby rivers]

Double unders in full guard= prison guard.

[apygav]

maybe have a look at the swim move armbar set up from prison guard - I hit that quiet a lot, although if the dude is big you might need to put some reps in to get the timings right

[Ross Davidson]

Double unders in full guard= prison guard.

This.

Also, learn to move your body around the behemoths. There is no end all be all way of playing, and some guys are just going to have the capabilities of shutting down your rubber guard.

Flow with the go.

[Andrew Maxwell]

Flying kung fu is the way to go. If you can transition from full guard straight into New York, chill dog or flying kung fu your leg won't be getting smashed down like that anymore. While in full guard I like to frame my forearm into the side of their neck and scoot a hip out to one side, about 50% of the time they will put their hand on the mat or grab an underhook to try and push back into my forearm, that's when I jump straight to chill dog and rest a min or jump straight to flying kung fu. This also works really good for me from half guard as well.