J

    What do you do if someone stands up in your Z half guard?

    Training
    by JBerg2/9/2022(edited)

    I'm just wondering what you do if someone is in your Z half guard and they stand up to pass it? I used to switch to sitting guard, but I just realized today that all I have to do is insert a hook and I'm in Reverse De La Riva. Mind blown.

    And it's hilarious that I never realized this before because I've been passing Z half guard and RDLR with the exact same passes for years now.

    4 Comments

    j
    jeiteki2/20/2022(edited)

    I don't use Z guard but in my experience it is hard to stand up on a truly expert Z-guard player.

    They are constantly exerting a lot of a) pushing pressure on my hip with the shin of their top leg, and 2) pulling pressure on my kneepit with the calf of their bottom leg. This keeps my thigh parallel with the mat, which makes standing up difficult.

    If I do manage to stand up, they are ready to pounce on my far leg to either get underneath for X-guard, or entangle that leg to start their leg lock game.

    Of course, I know what to do to pass Z-guard and there are things I can do to pressure their guard. But if I'm dealing with a truly expert Z-guard player, he should be making it very difficult, and when I do stand he should make it risky for me by immediately threatening to go underneath.

    Transitioning to RDLR as you mention is a classic transition, but it may not be ideal if the top guy is a very strong and fast standing passer, or if you are relatively weak at RDLR compared to your Z-guard.

    J
    Jinsoo3/4/2022

    I think jeiteki has it right.

    RDLR is a great option! Obviously when you play RDLR there are transitions to DLR and single-leg X entries. Same side kiss of the dragon etc.

    I think it depends on how you play your Z Guard.

    Just to through a couple of examples out there besides the ones already stated:
    -If you are good at shooting an undertook or have wrestling experience. Wrestle up.
    -If you are good at scrambling or enjoy playing inverted pass your knee all the way across for a kneebar entry or a kinda K guard entry.
    -If you feel comfortable with low flying triangle entries... there ya go!

    Hope this helps!

    J
    JBerg3/7/2022

    jeiteki, post: 62653, member: 9812

    I don't use Z guard but in my experience it is hard to stand up on a truly expert Z-guard player.

    They are constantly exerting a lot of a) pushing pressure on my hip with the shin of their top leg, and 2) pulling pressure on my kneepit with the calf of their bottom leg. This keeps my thigh parallel with the mat, which makes standing up difficult.

    If I do manage to stand up, they are ready to pounce on my far leg to either get underneath for X-guard, or entangle that leg to start their leg lock game.

    Of course, I know what to do to pass Z-guard and there are things I can do to pressure their guard. But if I'm dealing with a truly expert Z-guard player, he should be making it very difficult, and when I do stand he should make it risky for me by immediately threatening to go underneath.

    Transitioning to RDLR as you mention is a classic transition, but it may not be ideal if the top guy is a very strong and fast standing passer, or if you are relatively weak at RDLR compared to your Z-guard.

    These are some really good tips! I don't put any pressure on my opponent at all... my guard leg and my elbow form a frame to keep them off and then I shoot for an underhook or go to closed guard, but that relies on them either sitting there or putting forward pressure on me. I don't have an answer for when they withdraw pressure (stand up). I'll have to go through the sections here and see what Jason shows for working the guard with that push-pull pressure.

    J
    JBerg3/7/2022

    Jinsoo, post: 62704, member: 28853

    I think jeiteki has it right.

    RDLR is a great option! Obviously when you play RDLR there are transitions to DLR and single-leg X entries. Same side kiss of the dragon etc.

    I think it depends on how you play your Z Guard.

    Just to through a couple of examples out there besides the ones already stated:
    -If you are good at shooting an undertook or have wrestling experience. Wrestle up.
    -If you are good at scrambling or enjoy playing inverted pass your knee all the way across for a kneebar entry or a kinda K guard entry.
    -If you feel comfortable with low flying triangle entries... there ya go!

    Hope this helps!


    Great suggestions! I'm not an expert at RDLR, but I've got a few moves from there. Any open guard I play is to either stand up and Judo them or to go to closed guard. If I've got a hand in their collar, my goals are much, much easier.

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