Safely Opening The Closed Guard to Collar Sleeve

Steps to safely open the closed guard to collar sleeve:

1. Start in a good stance with one foot forward and one foot back, knees bent, hips low, and hands forward.
2. Set up the grip by opening the opponent's collar with the back hand if necessary, then establish a cross collar grip.
3. Grab the opponent's sleeve, usually when they attempt to strip your grip or reach for you.
4. Step forward and lower your hips to the ground before pulling guard to avoid pulling from a high position.
5. Place the back foot on the opponent's hip, followed by the second leg, creating tension to close the guard.
6. Pull the opponent in while lifting your hips to eliminate space for them to insert a knee.
7. Take one leg over the opponent's back, followed by the other, to secure the closed guard.
8. Open the guard and, if possible, step the feet on the opponent's hips and scoot back. Alternatively, step the feet on the mat first, then on the hips.
9. Step a foot on the opponent's bicep to prevent them from knee slide passing.
10. If needed, pummel either heel or toes first to get the foot to the bicep.