There are a lot of suggestions out there telling you how to defend your guard. Some of these are: do not allow the other fighter to get a hold of your knees, find an angle, or drive your legs to the ground. However, there is one suggestion that I often see novices failing to do. You must control your opponent’s head to help you defend your guard.

You see, as an opponent passes their head will generally go to one side and they will move their hips to the same side to reach side control. If they are smart they will control your legs and/or hips to prevent you from hip escaping away. However, if you are able to take control of his advance, you won’t even let him pass at all.

For instance, when the other fighter goes to pass to the right, shove his head to the right. This is going to make a bit of a gap between the two of you, enabling you to prevent him from getting side control. This does not have to be a hard shove, but you should make sure it is firm by putting your hand to his cheek or your arm to his neck.

When you shove his head, shrimp out toward the left. You’ll use your hips and legs way more than your arms; pushing his head is more about controlling his position to allow you to escape. Once you get enough room, find your center and get your opponent in your guard again. Depending on his progress and control over your hips/legs, you may need to hip escape more than once. Make sure you are prepared for his moves and react properly.

Remember that learning all of these little jiu jitsu tricks takes time and you have to patiently learn them and apply them. You won’t become an expert overnight, but you will get better! Practice them, get good at them, and consider it one more tool in your BJJ belt of goodies.

Draculino is a fourth degree jiu jitsu black belt, multiple time world champion, and trainer of MMA, BJJ, and grappling champs. To learn more about him, visit his online jiu jitsu training site or stop in the free jiu jitsu forum.