Two Layers of Guard Retention I Don’t See Talked About Enough
I've been going through the guard retention material since @Jason_Scully has made that part of the first challenge of the new Grapplers Guide and it made me think about something I see a lot in the gym.
Most people treat guard retention as one problem: “Don’t let them pass.”
But in practice I think there are two completely different layers happening at the same time.
• Layer 1 Distance Retention (Frames, hooks, shin shields, feet on hips, etc.)
• Layer 2 Angle Retention
I think the angle layer is the one people lose constantly. Even if your frames are good, once the passer wins the hip angle, your guard is effectively gone. The course segments the system into angles essentially which I think is fantastic and I think where my guard retention has suffered is in having the mindset of “Don’t get passed”.
I think the mindset of keeping your opponents angle on you as acute as possible as you form an established guard is the real mantra to make guard retention actually effective.
Curious what others think
Do you think of guard retention as distance first, or angle first?
Guard Retention: Do you first think
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2 Comments
Do you think of guard retention as distance first, or angle first?I suppose this is situational, but when I think about this question at the moment I pull guard I try to control the distance first so that I can get the angle I want for my attack. So that means I get 1 grip if fast pulling to DLR or collar sleeve and connect with my feet frames so I don't get and my hips raised off the mat or worse - chest over chest. Instead of cross collar I've been starting engagements with the same side collar which helps against their flanking moves. Once I feel my ideal position is set, I start angling off to start my sequence.
I think the angle layer is the one people lose constantly. Even if your frames are good, once the passer wins the hip angle, your guard is effectively gone. The course segments the system into angles essentially which I think is fantastic and I think where my guard retention has suffered is in having the mindset of “Don’t get passed”.
@Pred500 I chose distance management because you placed "frames" in there. The videos in the course highly focus on frames, and hip space. I believe with proper frames, your opponent will not be able to get passing angles on you well, and you'll be able to recover better. Angle does matter, like in "Stage 2" retention the guard player will angle, but for the sole purpose of establishing better frames.