In awe of Marcelo

[kayman101]

I know I'm late to this party, but Marcelo Garcia's sheer talent on the mat is incomprehensible! I considered posting this in the basic technique forum but my question regarding his style is not specific enough.

My fascination with Marcelo is based on the guard he plays. It's perfect, in my opinion, for a smaller, shorter player who benefits from achieving the top position. For those who are not familiar with his guard game, here's a clip:

I'm wondering if anyone could provide some helpful strategies/theories regarding this style of guard. I fear that it's Marcelo's God-given talent that allows this style of guard to be so effective, but I'm hoping otherwise. My short, stocky frame (5' 10", 220) seems well suited for Marcelo's guard, but I love to hear advice from Bullshido members.

[WhiteShark]

I think you're a little big for Marcelo's game frankly. 220 isn't even the same world as Marcelo. All that aside get your purple belt before trying to emulate someone like him. At the blue belt level you'd be better off picking a specific facet of his game and making that part of yours.


This is all coming from a place of love (for Marcelo). I had the same thoughts and I'm exactly his size. At blue belt level all I did was work his arm drags and seatbelt controls. I'm currently looking at more of his game radiating out from the parts I'm already good at.

[GIburner]

Marcelo has created a game that is suitable for his body mechanics and practicing over and over after experimenting with different strong and weak (if marcelo has a weakness) points in the technique he's aquired over years of training. Your body and brain is different from Marcelo, but you can learn about his game so that you can practice it and mix it into your own Jiu Jitsu.

Aside from being a technician, Marcelo is also a High-level athlete. Though you don't need super athleticism to perform most of his techniques, it help to be in shape in order to practice these techniques in live grappling sessions over and over again.

Marcelo had a DVD and book on the guard he utilizes called the X-Guard. depending on how resourceful you are, you can buy or download the book PDF and DVD or got buy the book.

[tao.jonez]

What Whiteshark said - I'd say if you want to roll like Garcia,pick one part of the game. I say work on the sweeps. He tends to play a very close, tight game, and work sweeps like mad. It's really fantastic to watch.

If you buy the XGuard book or vids, be aware that some of the stuff he does is not going to work for mere humans.

[kayman101]

Thanks for the comments, gentlemen. I really like his sweeps from the open guard and plan on incorporating them into my game. Being on top really suits me well and that's exactly what Marcelo looks to achieve from his guard.

Shark: When you worked the arm drag, was it from the open or closed guard? I ask this because my training comes from a traditional school that favors a closed guard game. I'd really like to develop a more aggressive guard game considering my stocky frame. Triangles and arm bars don't seem to be in the cards for me.

[WhiteShark]

Open guard. I hardly ever use closed guard at all unless I'm resting.

[kayman101]

Open guard. I hardly ever use closed guard at all unless I'm resting.

That's exactly how I feel: closed guard seems like a defensive position. It doesn't help that my short, stocky legs can't wrap around anything north of 150 pounds.

Side note: Your new avatar kicks ass

[GIburner]

you might want to work on your butterfly guard. In the X guard series, Marcelo first introduces you to the Butterfly guard techniques he uses that feed right into the X guard game

[Omega Supreme]

I know I'm late to this party, but Marcelo Garcia's sheer talent on the mat is incomprehensible! I considered posting this in the basic technique forum but my question regarding his style is not specific enough.

My fascination with Marcelo is based on the guard he plays. It's perfect, in my opinion, for a smaller, shorter player who benefits from achieving the top position. For those who are not familiar with his guard game, here's a clip:

I'm wondering if anyone could provide some helpful strategies/theories regarding this style of guard. I fear that it's Marcelo's God-given talent that allows this style of guard to be so effective, but I'm hoping otherwise. My short, stocky frame (5' 10", 220) seems well suited for Marcelo's guard, but I love to hear advice from Bullshido members.

You should be playing my game. Better suited for you.

aaaaaand, I can't help but be a douchebag so....

[kayman101]

[QUOTE=Omega;2538003]You should be playing my game. Better suited for you.

aaaaaand, I can't help but be a douchebag so....

OK, Omega, I'll bite. What is your game and how is it better suited for me?

[Omega Supreme]

I use what's we call a Spider man guard and we transition to lockdown and deep half guard. In failure of that I give people my back and work a weird "back guard" game.

[The_Beak]

I use what's we call a Spider man guard and we transition to lockdown and deep half guard. In failure of that I give people my back and work a weird "back guard" game.

Vids please.

[kayman101]

I use what's we call a Spider man guard and we transition to lockdown and deep half guard. In failure of that I give people my back and work a weird "back guard" game.

Could you please explain this 'spiderman' guard to the worthless blue belt.

[JonnyB]

Marcelo is the man.

[Squerlli]

There are truths to grappling the same way there are truths to striking/fitness/etc...

Be lazy. It's not about being SUPER EXPLOSIVE or being able to go 110% for hours on end. The least amount of effort for maximum effect is what grappling is all about. It's why Judo/Greco-Roman/Freestyle/Sambo/BJJ etc... all have grips to set up throws/take downs. With or without a gi you need technique. Technique is there to make your life easier.

Marcelo just knows to make all the right moves at all the right times. He's like the grappling equivalent of watching a tai-chi master from those old 70's kung-fu movies just dancing around his enemies while kicking their asses at the same time.

Also you need to take into account that he's an great AND dedicated athlete. Those 2-3 hours classes we do, however many times a week would be like a vacation for him. He spend more time on the mat each week then he does ANYWHERE else (bed, home in general, where ever).

If you want to be world class any thing it's always the same. Conditioning + Drilling + Sparring.

How much? As much as humanly possible plus a little more.