Why does Ryan Hall dis the Rubberguard?

[Tyler Timmermans]

Doesn't he specifically say in his DVD that he just wants to avoid weak body movements? My understanding was that flexibility, which he has, shouldn't be a crutch. He wants to focus on the strongest mechanical and structural body movements, which is the whole theory behind his perpendicular triangle finish. It makes sense to me.. you could teach it to anyone (not dependent on flexibility) and not risk injury, which he said he has witnessed before. And like others were saying it's a different brand. He also DID it quite alot.. you probably won't see him doing that anymore. My style has changed dramatically and I'm still a white belt. I imagine your style could change even more going from blue-black. Don't hate, to each their own.

ya i think there should be more people using different guards and series of attacks from it.

[Heidi McCreery]

My guess would be that someone of Ryan's skill may not see rubber guard as being a necessary addition to his game, which as some of you have already said would probably mean he does not understand it to it's fullest extent.

I never met Ryan, but he is an amazing Jiu Jitsu artist and I would certainly hope that he is not a close minded, arrogant, ass hole. That would be incredibly disappointing.

[ifreez]

Doesn't he specifically say in his DVD that he just wants to avoid weak body movements? My understanding was that flexibility, which he has, shouldn't be a crutch. He wants to focus on the strongest mechanical and structural body movements, which is the whole theory behind his perpendicular triangle finish. It makes sense to me.. you could teach it to anyone (not dependent on flexibility) and not risk injury, which he said he has witnessed before. And like others were saying it's a different brand. He also DID it quite alot.. you probably won't see him doing that anymore. My style has changed dramatically and I'm still a white belt. I imagine your style could change even more going from blue-black. Don't hate, to each their own.

This is also funny, because RG is not a weak body movement, and, unlike Ryan claims, you are not to be flat on your back. It's also all about angles. So in essence, in my view, he is bashing what he knows not.

Nonetheless, although I believe strongly in angles, as you can see this intricate body positioning of higher belts, I believe that the 'strong body mechanics' stuff is a little bit of hype.

Don't get me wrong, it's not worthless, but very, very important, yet also important is sensitivity from various positions. If your training partner is good a putting you in positions that negate any possible structural advantage you can muster, then, for example you better be very good a working from flat off your back. More specifically, you should put yourself in bad position often just to work on them.

Or, another example, is sometimes in the triangle, you just can't get the angle to 'stomp and curl'. So, you have to also master varying type of squeezes to finish a fight. 'Stomp and curl' might be the best, but you also have to develop squeezes from even the bad angles.

I might be wrong, but that's what I see for now.

[Louis Ho]

Eddie is the Van Halen of no gi. I like that, John. That would make me the Jeff Beck of no gi.

[WilliamGunter]

I'd be the kerry king of no gi, no skill just brutal nonsense, j/k slayer fans lol

[Tyler Timmermans]

and i am the George Fisher of all grappling.

[AJ Camacho]

Doesn't he specifically say in his DVD that he just wants to avoid weak body movements? My understanding was that flexibility, which he has, shouldn't be a crutch. He wants to focus on the strongest mechanical and structural body movements, which is the whole theory behind his perpendicular triangle finish. It makes sense to me.. you could teach it to anyone (not dependent on flexibility) and not risk injury, which he said he has witnessed before. And like others were saying it's a different brand. He also DID it quite alot.. you probably won't see him doing that anymore. My style has changed dramatically and I'm still a white belt. I imagine your style could change even more going from blue-black. Don't hate, to each their own.

Yeah, he did say that. I also remember after his ADCC performance him changing his stance on the guard altogether. To the extent of saying that people should avoid things like the rubber guard and even his own upside down guard because it doesn't work at the highest levels of grappling (his notion, not mine). He began extolling the virtues of a strong top game, in the vein of a Roger Gracie style of grappling.

http://www.lockflow.com/news/ryan-ha...ng-has-changed

“Before, I used to roll around and triangle people a whole bunch of times but if the guy was really good, maybe, maybe not,” Hall said. “But now, it’s get on top, pass, mount, choke. Get on top, pass, mount, choke.”

Hall frequently referenced Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles and Roger Gracie as grapplers that he is now seeking to emulate. Gracie, especially, exemplifies the strategy that Hall now believes is best.


So I do not think that his sentiments are motivated by competing material, since he also criticizes his own material at times. The guy is just on his own journey doing his own thing and his perspective will reflect wherever he is at on that path.

[Jason Mallory]

So I do not think that his sentiments are motivated by competing material, since he also criticizes his own material at times. The guy is just on his own journey doing his own thing and his perspective will reflect wherever he is at on that path.

+1

[RobSchwartz]

Not really sure, but I've heard him say it can lead to knee injuries. You would think that someone with as much flexibility as him wouldn't have to worry too much about that though. I've seen him work a rubber guard variation in comps before, but overall it seems like he just prefers other moves. Seems laughable he would tell people that the rubber guard leads to knee injuries when he is known for the 50/50 guard and shredding people's knees with heel hooks. Can't think of anything that leads to more knee injuries than heel hooks.

P.S. Thanks for the link Camacho. Very interesting interview by Ryan.

[RobSchwartz]

I never met Ryan, but he is an amazing Jiu Jitsu artist and I would certainly hope that he is not a close minded, arrogant, ass hole. That would be incredibly disappointing.

I met Ryan at one of his seminars. He is far from close minded, and also a very nice guy. I am sure he has his own reasons for not using the rubber guard. Personally I enjoy the rubber guard and have had quite a bit of success with it, but I wouldn't dismiss anything that someone of his skill level says.