Opening Closed Guard| Structure, Posture, Hip Control

Opening the closed guard involves a structured approach to gain leverage and prevent the opponent from attacking or sweeping. The following steps outline the process:

1. Begin by creating distance between your shoulders and the opponent's shoulders, using one hand to keep their shoulders and hands away.
2. Control the opponent's hip with the other hand by grabbing the pants just inside the hip bone or the jacket or belt.
3. Preferably, grab low on the lapel to manage slack and drag the grip to the desired position.
4. When controlling the hip, step up with the same side as the leaning arm, allowing your knee to monitor the opponent's hip and provide a post.
5. Shift your weight and lock the arm to keep the opponent's hip on the mat. If you can create a bend in their hip, extend your legs and push back to open the guard.
6. If the opponent raises their hip with you, pivot into a standing position without taking a second step, and use your back arm to find the inside of their knee to shake and open the guard.
7. If the guard remains closed with the opponent's hips high, transfer both hands to the pants, walk your hip back, and sit down over a vertical shin to expand and open the guard.
8. Prevent the opponent from placing their foot on your hip by blocking it with your forearm or keeping it to the outside.
9. Box the opponent out to prevent them from establishing leg entanglements, such as the De La Riva guard.
10. Focus on keeping the opponent down when opening the guard and follow a one-two-three sequence to connect with stacked passes.
11. Control the opponent's arm on the side you wish to step with to prevent them from reaching your leg and establishing a De La Riva hook.
12. Keep moving away to maintain distance and, once the guard is open, clear any De La Riva hooks to start passing.

Remember to avoid getting stuck by modern guard players who aim to entangle your legs. Controlling the opponent's arm can prevent them from securing a grip on your foot, making it easier to clear their guard and initiate a pass.