Defending The Pass

Escaping from side control involves a preemptive guard recovery to prevent the opponent from solidifying their position. The foundational movement is a bridge to unlock the shoulders, allowing for hip movement and arm extension to replace the arms with the legs.

1. As the opponent passes the knee line, do not allow them to settle. Instead, post on their body to prevent them from arriving in a dominant position.
2. While on your side, with hands facing away, avoid trying to bring the legs back in where they can be jammed. Instead, perform a hip escape away from the opponent.
3. Use the hips to deliver the legs into position, replacing the arms, and then push off the opponent to recover, finding the frame.
4. When the opponent throws the legs to the side and lands on the arms, immediately move to replace the arms with the legs.
5. Ensure the angle of the leg that is framing is diagonal, from hip to shoulder, which allows for weight management and establishes a strong frame.
6. This diagonal angle is crucial for carrying the opponent's weight and maintaining the ability to keep the hip elevated.
7. By maintaining this angle, it's possible to manage the opponent's weight effectively and reset the position to an open guard.

Executing these steps will help in preventing the opponent from achieving a dominant side control position and facilitate a successful guard recovery.