Dealing with Tucked in Arms in Mission Control

Hey guys I'm a blue belt training in Alberta. Me and my roommate have been going through "Mastering the Rubber guard" and MTS videos. Were both really liking it and I'm having a lot of success in rolls with "Meathook" and "Crackhead Control." My coach says he likes that were doing rubber guard so he's decided to figure out how to shut down all of our techniques there to make us get better at it. The biggest issue he's giving me is by tucking his arms in tight as soon as I get to mission control. He's to tight to zombie so I tried going to crackhead and I was able to get there by double bagging. once I get there I couldn't get the pump because he was kepping his elbows tucked into my hips.

Any tips or advice to deal with this?

I’m curious to see the replies to this. My professor does that or tripods on his head and feet and tucks his head into my upper pec while squaring up and eventually passing.

Such a classic problem. I also struggled with that a lot, and still do frankly.

Keep working reps into the pump, it works.
But some other ideas, try threatening a sweep and forcing them to post with one of their hands, then snatch a NY while he posts... typically you can try a Hip Bump then catch him with his hand on the mat.. I believe its called a pedro.

Try to get onto your side, RG while on your hip is way easier and gives more options to me.

You can try a Dead Orchard by grabbing his far Wrist and pulling it across, or a Croc Armbar as well.

You can also try entering to RG with the overhook already secured, like from Cocoon (Butterfly with and Over and Under) So that way the battle is tilted in your favor straight away.

Honestly I find it pretty tough being flat on my back with a strong dude who keeps his arms super tight.

Here are some ideas, im also curious to see what else comes up

I forgot to mention that you can also get to RG from Lockdown directly, so if thats part of your game you can use that

I showed From Cocoon to RG in this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=X1I-wrAfBUI

And from Lockdown to RG in this Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGMvqXB-3Wk

Hope these help

It's always best to enter rubber guard with an overhook but if you are in a mission control and can't get the zombie you have a couple of options:

-pump series
-dead orchard
-invisible crackhead route

Thanks for the advice, this will be a big help! Ill work on this and post an update on how its going!

Few things.

1. Look to swim for the zombie at their hand / wrist instead of their elbow. They are much weaker there.
2. I often prefer not having a zombie. Push their hand on the rubber guard leg side inward to their / your hip, now hug your knee. This should fold their shoulder over their forearm and leave that arm stuck and useless. Now the question is how much of his elbow do you have a good pinch grip with for your knee hug? That’s the key.. it’s the same as a tight zombie with a good elbow pinch, better even often because their arm is completely unusable.
3. When someone is in this position it means they’ve won the inside zone. In this case I look for a dead orchard when they step one leg up (their elbow loses strength of structure when they do). Or if they don’t want to step up, I go for Hindu control. Fighting off a guillotine opens up the elbows.
4. Every once in a while if they are really chilling and the body sizing is right, I go gun show / Germanator and force a dead orchard without them needing to stand a leg up since I now have a free hand.

Play with it. Biggest thing is stay comfortable in your rubber guard. They are stuck in your game, not the other way around, find a way to always hold and use it effortlessly.. Then they will have to eventually struggle to open it and this will lead to openings. Attack when they try to move, don’t force it. Wait and move with them. This goes for most all jits once you get into a hold. 👌♥️

Thanks Ben! I'll work on those tips!

Invisible crack head path. Hunt for an overbook then hit a Flying kung fu. The Pedro can work too

Awesome, thanks for the advice guys, I've been working on this and having more success with it!

Nothing gets hands moving like a fist in the neck. Einstein showed the Gag Reflex in one of his seminars that I was fortunate enough to attend, and at the time I didn't realize the absolutely incredible value of it but these days it's a staple in my repetoire.

The Invisible Crackhead route is probably your best answer against someone implementing that form of stalling tactic. Because your instructor isn't doing much to regain his posture, take the extra time to set up a High Double Bagger, which in turn would make it easier to transition to Invisible Crackhead. From there you can have an easier time Zombie-ing to Invisible Collar, or you can actually Super Pump to lock that near shoulder. However, your success may vary depending on your flexibility, leg strength/length, and the relative size of the person in your closed guard.

A simpler method to getting an easier Zombie is via elevation. While controlling your partner using Mission Control, use your free foot to push on the hip in order to lift your butt off of the ground. Sneak your Zombie arm under the forearm or wrist and punch up as you drop your butt back onto the floor. The logic is that you forcibly create space to Zombie and your opponent can't match your descent.

Royce Kim plays the invisible crackhead game as good as anyone in the world, great advice

I Really like the idea of forcing the space for the zombie. I use a similar concept for escaping knee on belly. I think that could work well for me!

Pisa sweep to get his hand out