Rolling Commentary: Joe

During a sparring session with Joe, a larger, heavy pressure opponent, the focus is on maintaining inside guard position, winning the foot posting battle, and preventing the opponent from establishing their grips. The following techniques and strategies are employed:

1. Start by making connections, foot posting, and anticipating the opponent's drop to a combat base or knee position. This is followed by a heavy forward pressure.
2. When the opponent attempts a folding pass, body lock pass, or tries to get to half guard, use framing on the biceps and foot posting to maintain control.
3. Prevent the opponent from getting their head inside the hip by thumb posting and weaving the foot through. This is followed by lacing the bicep with the foot and trapping the opponent's arm to prevent them from re-pummeling and taking the inside position.
4. From this position, look to transition to a K guard or force a side guard position. This can lead to various sweeps and attacks.
5. When the opponent prevents the establishment of a K guard, continue to deny them the center and look for opportunities to clear their grip and return to a seated position.
6. When dealing with a body lock pass, it's crucial to maintain head position and prevent the opponent from taking the center. If the opponent attempts to take the center with their knee, use framing on the biceps to keep them at bay.
7. When the opponent attempts to stack, dig the head into the floor and aim to get the lower back to the floor. Fight their hands and control the wrist to prevent them from pushing the knee down and beating the knee line.
8. When playing butterfly guard against a larger opponent, aim to play more of an inside guard position. Winning control of the wrists is crucial in this situation.
9. When the opponent shakes off an attempt to take their back, immediately frame and look to create off balance with a butterfly hook. This creates space to sit up and return to a seated position.
10. When the opponent attempts a scoop grip during a stack, fight their thumb line and aim to get to the inside hip. Pummel the knee back inside of their bicep to return to position.
11. When a K guard fails, recover by keeping the knees in and pummeling the foot over the top to maintain inside position.