Trouble with my open guard

**Darkpaladin** · Posted On: 10/14/2005 2:20pm

I've been taking bjj for about 3 or 4 months now, and I'm still having trouble forming an open guard game. Usually, when someone stands in my guard (and if I don't land a quick sweep) they get some distance, and pass. The Toriena pass in particular gives me fits. One bit of advice I've gotten is to stretch out your opponent to break balance, but with all things it's easier said then done. Any tips, tricks, or advise the more advanced grapplers could give me would be most apprieciated.

:5dunce:

**Ronin** · Posted On: 10/14/2005 2:22pm

How are you controlling your opponent?

**Darkpaladin** · Posted On: 10/14/2005 2:27pm

Usually, I try to control at the very least one sleeve, and I'll have at least one foot on the near hip. I'll switch from time to time to a near or far hook at the knee, but I'll keep one foot at the hip at all times. Unless of course when they get the Toriena and have my legs pinned, or they tie my legs up, in which case I'm screwed.

**Ronin** · Posted On: 10/14/2005 2:28pm

And your instructor says what?

**Darkpaladin** · Posted On: 10/14/2005 2:38pm

Generally I've just been rolling with higher belts and trying to pick stuff up/ask for advise. I know that with time it will get better, it's just that right now open guard is a weakness that I've noticed. I haven't taken it up with him yet, but when we do work open guard and he's correcting people, he hasn't let me know that I'm doing anything wrong (at least since I've started landing grips, before that he'd let me know that I need to grab something). It's probably just another case of keep doing it until you get it, but I was just hoping for a magic bullet. :P

**Ronin** · Posted On: 10/14/2005 2:42pm

No such thing as a magic bullet, hard work and understanding, and drills and more drills and more rolling.

**Hedgehogey** · Posted On: 10/14/2005 2:43pm

Sit up, use UNDERHOOKS.

**Locu5** · Posted On: 10/14/2005 2:43pm

More mat time.

**Camus** · Posted On: 10/14/2005 3:46pm

Open guard isn't easy.

**Darkpaladin** · Posted On: 10/14/2005 4:01pm

Toriena is any pass when you are standing and have control of both your opponent's legs, keeping them from getting hooks/hip placement. Generally all you have to do is jump around the legs while they're being held down, or push the legs one way and step the other way to pass guard. I may have the spelling wrong though.

I've thought of wrapping the near leg with mine, and sitting up for a single leg takedown, but haven't gotten to try that one yet. I'd have to drop the leg on the far hip for that, and I know that's just begging them to take my back.