Cross Guard

Entering the Cross Guard from Closed Guard involves a series of steps to gain control and create opportunities for attacks. Begin by controlling your own collar while in Closed Guard. To break your opponent's grip on your chest, sit up to create space and then push their arm up as you bring your back down to the mat. This movement will help you remove their grip.

1. Once the grip is broken, establish a cross grip on the opponent's sleeve, not the same side grip.
2. Use your knees to pull the opponent towards you, off-balancing them and making them lighter.
3. While pulling the arm across like a seatbelt, bring your knees to your chest.
4. The same side arm as the leg you will move should dive under the opponent's leg.
5. Turn your angle and hug the opponent's leg as deep as possible, aiming to get close to your shoulder to prevent them from driving their leg back.
6. Practice entering the Cross Guard on both sides for proficiency.

By following these steps, you can effectively transition into the Cross Guard, which provides various openings for submissions and further guard transitions.