First what’s our creed? Position before submission. Train position first. I am reposting this article by Stephen Kesting at www.grapplearts.com because it’s fantastic. You’ll actually need to sign up for his newsletter. Initially I was reluctant. Not another darn email. However, he’s got some really good tips for the beginning jiu jitsu player. In fact his site is full of great stuff.
Kesting actually titles it “three mistakes that will get you killed.” All of these potentially fatal mistakes have to do with posture. Remember posture up. In brief let’s suppose you find yourself in your opponent’s guard. Many beginner fall victim to having their posture broken down. Subsequently in hoping to avoid this they will try to regain posture by putting their hand on the ground.
1. Putting your hand on the ground. This opens you up for a kimura or omaplata
2. Moving your elbow across the center of your opponent’s body. Her nose/sternum/belly button all run down the center of your opponent’s body. Don’t let her or her control your arm or position by moving your elbow across her center. If you do she’ll be thanking you for that arm bar.
3. Putting your arm under their leg. Can you spell T-R-I-A-N-G-L-E. Until you have mastered the finer points of this type of guard pass it’s best to avoid the arm under the leg for now.
Click here to read more about Kesting’s Guard Posture Mistakes
