Using Footpost to Create Off Balances

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

Using Footpost to Create Off Balances
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Jon Calestine
Jon Calestine

About this video

Using foot posts and hooks can create off balances and manipulate your opponent's base. This technique is not only about being active in your movement, but also in attacking your opponent's movement, stopping their movement and creating off balances.
  1. Understand the concept of a foot post. When your opponent has a lead leg, you can use your foot as a jab to keep them at a range where it's hard for them to make any movement towards you. This makes it difficult for them to establish a good foot in the middle.
  2. Manage the distance and keep your staggered guard. Create a foot post to manage the distance and keep your opponent at a good range. You can also use this foot post to create an off balance.
  3. To create an off balance, time your opponent lifting their foot off the floor. Turn your foot post from just posting to push them away to hooking around the inside of the ankle. Wait for them to take a step with that foot and move that foot out of the way. This forces them back into a square position.
  4. Use off balances to reset a position. If you don't like the pressure or what's going on, create a big off balance that forces a reset. You can always force your opponent to have to reset while they're trying to pass when you're playing guard.
  5. Establish control. If you feel like you can't stop the movement, establish enough control that you can create off balance. With the off balance, you can cause a reset and then start to establish a better position.
  6. Manage the distance when your opponent is leading with their leg. Keep your elbow inside and your hand always ready to make grips. You can manage distance by creating a post with your hand and foot, or your foot can create an off balance.
  7. Hook the foot when you're ready to go. Don't just push because then your opponent can step over the foot and take the center, causing you to overextend the limb. Instead, force an overextension when your opponent takes the weight off their foot. This creates a big off balance that you can further off balance or threaten entering sliding in. This off balance also forces your opponent to reset at some point.
This is how you create an initial off balance with the foot post.

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