Rubber Guard Question

[Tagg1080]

I just recently got ahold of Eddie's books, and my friends and i have been treating them as the bible, :D

My problem is, one of the kids i roll with, about 240 lbs., 5-6, BIG kid, i can't get a rubber guard on, because his shoulders are so big i can't get my leg up, as i have short legs, and am kinda small, making my rubber guard useless

any1 have similar problems and/or solutions?

anything other then "hahahahaha!!!, sucks to be you!", would be helpful advice, :D

[MatzeOne]

Become more flexible. :D



Or just don't use the rubber guard on him. Work the half guard, butterfly guard, pyramid... many possibilities.

[Tagg1080]

it isn't a matter of flexibility, i can comfortably place my foot behind my head, it is just, his body is so big, that i can't get it there, like rapping a rope that is 3 feet long around a pole that has a circumference of 5 feet, it just doesn't make it.

wierd analogy i know, but i am kinda off in the head like that :D

[Forkfoot]

Yeah, lotsa stuff probably wouldn't work on him, then. That sucks. I've never rolled with anyone so big I couldn't get RG on, and my legs are so short I can't do triangles for shit.

[Ghosted3]

Sweep...that is about the best thing you can do. Work twister side control or something, RG is usually hard for short legged people against someone considerably larger than yourself.

[deathblade]

It might not have any thing to do with the size of the opponent as much as it has to do with your lack of RG experience. ( I know that is my problem):)
The best thing to do is get in the reps on smaller guys. I know that it is not as much fun but it helps to get the motion burned into your memory.

[Hadaka Jime]

i had the same problem with someone, not just RG almost all techniques, my buddy from HS is a HUGE MFER, he's 6'9 and wieghs 285 all muscle not many techniques work on him, armbars and RNC and achilles hold do though

[Ari Bolden]

Attention shoppers: The rubber guard does not work all the time and can be very difficult on people MUCH larger than you.

If you watch Eddie, he'll play half guard against BIGGER guys. This is because the BIG guys can bust our of the RG or that their backs and shoulders are just too big to hook it up.

But there are other options!:D

[virginiamma]

RG doesn't work for me with against dominatingly larger opponents. Like ari said I play 1/2 and go for sweeps or the back or I play a more open guard and try and get to the back.

Is it just me or are triangles ridiculously hard as well against large strong guys? We have a body builder @220# who has 40# on me and he breaks my triangles with ease.

[JBotello]

You have to work that leg curl to keep his posture broken while cinching triangles.

[Ari Bolden]

Triangles can be ellusive. I just learned a couple tips recently (from Einstein and Eddie) on how to make the triangle much much tighter.

The arm across the belly, pulling down the head (al la 15 years ago GJJ style) isn't needed. Gable grips, toes pointed to the ceiling, tepees, reverse triangles (bolt), or the double arm in triangle (F#$K I love this one from mission control!) are all there.

As it has been said many times, working on the squeeze pays off BIG time in the triangle hunt.

I rolled with my biggest student last week, Drew. He is 255ish and a brown belt in judo. The guy is a beast. I had him in my guard and he was postured up (I couldn't break him down). He started to do a one handed anchor pass on me to break my guard. I knew if he was successful, he'd squish me in his side or scarf hold.

I looked at him and said " I'm gonna triangle you if you try that Drew." He replied " I know you're gonna try;-)."

The moment he passed, I hooked it up and squeezed the @#$ out of my legs with the gable grip. Then got him.

Part of the advice I can give when rolling is if you throw on a choke, and it is REALLY tight from the get go (rather than a gradual squeeze), it helps to get the guy to tap quicker. Why? In my experience, when the choke goes on (when you sink it), your partner will feel how strong it is and then think "boy, this thing is gonna get TIGHTER? I'd better tap before I nap."

Not giving you opponent a chance to escape, wiggle or move is the key. This is a skill set that I had to re program because I always was "too kind" when I rolled. I thought if I gave the person room or went easy, they'd recognize the trouble they were in and tap. This ISN'T the case (especially with all the young stubborn bucks in class).

I also have 7 second rule. If they ain't tapping by seven seconds, the move isn't tight enough. I need to either let go or re-position the technqiue.

[virginiamma]

Yeah I am losing it in the initial catch... pre leg curl... he goes knee to elbow and postures out like he should.

guys that are smaller or with less neck strength I can hold them there by cranking down their head then adjusting. With this guy and a lot of the bigger guys I can't crank their head down or squeeze tight enough to get he moment I need to adjust and curl my leg.

Hope that makes sense...

Personally I think its just a practice thing which is why I like big guys.. you have to hit it right the first time. You get punished for being even a little off.