How Do You Stop Knee on Belly From Side Guard?

Part of the course: The Lord of the Guards: Guard Retention by Jon Calestine

How Do You Stop Knee on Belly From Side Guard?
Get Access

Already have access? Log in

Jon Calestine
Jon Calestine

About this video

Preventing the knee on belly position from side guard involves several steps:
  1. Ensure your elbow is inside your knee. Actively bring your knee into your chest and cut a slight angle. This should be an active movement, with your elbow against the inside of your knee, and you should be on your hip.
  2. Never allow your opponent to turn you away. Establish your position and create your frames. Keep your knee and elbow structure tight and active, making it difficult for your opponent to separate them.
  3. If your opponent manages to create a separation, use your elbow to create a pummel and return to your original position. Aim to keep your weight down in this direction.
  4. If you feel like you're being turned away, create a frame on your other side with your elbow and hand at the hip. This can help prevent you from being turned away.
  5. Keep your side guard frames active. Your elbow should actively drive into your thigh, while your knee comes to your shoulder or chest area. Maintain this tension pushing into each other to create a strong side guard frame.
  6. If your opponent manages to create a separation, elbow pummel again to ensure the space is never occupied.
  7. When self-framing, grab lower on the hip to maintain the angle that makes it difficult for your opponent to get any occupied space underneath the knee. Maintain your side guard frame and your frame on the bicep.
  8. Actively pummel and recover to maintain a strong side guard position and defend against the knee on belly position.

Course Content