Maintain The Guard - Hand Fighting

Guard retention is crucial for a better experience in Jiu-Jitsu, allowing for more techniques and exchanges. The key to guard retention is understanding that passes originate from the opponent's hands. To prevent passes, one must win the grip fight and establish control.

Without grips, it's preferable to be seated rather than on the back. This position allows for quicker movement and response to the opponent's actions. The goal is to block the opponent's hands, create space, and find a control point to transition to a desired guard, such as closed guard, which is recommended for beginners.

When the opponent establishes a grip, the response should be to intercept and break the grip. If unable to break the grip, make a counter-grip that mitigates the opponent's control. The dynamics change when the opponent is on top, as they can use their weight to their advantage.

If the opponent grabs a lapel, immediately use both hands to push back and establish a preferred grip. When the opponent is standing, the focus shifts to uncovering their legs and attaching to them, using inside positioning and transitioning to guards like X-Guard or Reverse De La Riva.

It's essential to find a weightless moment to place a foot on the opponent's hip to maintain distance and prevent them from weighting their grips. If the opponent manages to control with a grip, one must act quickly to prevent them from applying weight and advancing their position.

Breaking grips on the pants involves moving weight in opposite directions to create tension. All defensive sequences, such as rolling, hip escaping, and recomposing, start and end with hand awareness to prevent the opponent from gaining an advantage in the next exchange.