Well, I figured since I had another thread on this about being on top I'd ask what most people feel about being on the bottom.

Consider the situation as being a challenge match where someone comes in and fights you in your own school. Then consider another as being a plain street fight between you and someone you dont like or know (with no fear of others jumping in).

IF you land on the bottom and have guard control, which do you prefer?


1: Try to escape back to my feet, I dont like fighting on the ground

2: Play a defensive game by trying to hold him close- only go for something if it seems its easy to get- I dont like fighting off my back, but I've got to do something

3: Play an offensive game and attack with submission and sweep attempts because you dont mind being on your back at all

4: HOLD until hes too tired to do anything and then try to escape.


I'd consider myself taking option #3- Im a tall guy with a skinny build, so I've kinda accepted the fact that I have to fight from my back in a fight more often than most other people. Guard is also by far my best position, so I'll fight anyone from there.

You are a BJJ guy. How could we expect anything other than #3?

We can only assume he pulled guard in the first place.

Self-referential trolling aside, I say #3, with the goal reversing to a dominant position.

Self-referential trolling aside, I say #3, with the goal reversing to a dominant position.


Hey Im just trying to stir up some conversation here thats all.

I thought of option 4 because alot of people only know guard is a position thats better to be than mounted, but dont know what to do from there. Heath Herrings first opponent in the last Pride Grand Prix I think is a good example of this.

# or bite

IF you land on the bottom and have guard control, which do you prefer?

My answer would be none of the above and a modification of several of the above. If I were in a street fight and I wound up in the guard (and this has happened to me) my first priority is to control him to prevent him from punching/biting/head butting etc. My next priority is to inflict some punishment of my own while simultaneously working my legs/hips to either sweep him over or work to get back to a neutral or dominant position. I would not lay in the guard because the situation could change very fast and the introduction of weapons/friends/random passersby could mean a difference in winning or surviving. Don’t get me wrong, I am very comfortable in the guard if I am stuck there but I will never resign myself to staying in an inferior position when I can simply work to attain a better one. #4 is too ridiculous for comment.



I'd consider myself taking option #3- Im a tall guy with a skinny build, so I've kinda accepted the fact that I have to fight from my back in a fight more often than most other people. Guard is also by far my best position, so I'll fight anyone from there.

Don't sell yourself short. I have fought people much larger than myself and have maintained dominant positions because of their complete lack of ground fighting skills. If your talking strictly in the ring that is one thing, but when it's for real this is not the time to play Royce Gracie.

#4 is too ridiculous for comment.

Thats the "Ken Shamrock" technique :rolleyes:




Don't sell yourself short. I have fought people much larger than myself and have maintained dominant positions because of their complete lack of ground fighting skills. If your talking strictly in the ring that is one thing, but when it's for real this is not the time to play Royce Gracie.

I never said Im going to be buttscooting my way around the ground, but I dont mind being on my back. Being on top though is always a much better option. I've managed to control people who are much bigger than me as well, but sometimes I may not be able to take a larger guy down (but I can reverse him once we hit the ground).

Challenge match: I'm pretty new to the ground game, but can do a few moves from the gaurd pretty damn well. Probably go for a sweep or sub I know how to do halfway decently. I'd lose anyway, unless the challenger was as new as I am.

"Street": A quick sweep followed by some good old fashioned ground and pound would seem the best option. Something quick and simple like a guillotine would probably work too. Just want to avoid getting pounded on.