A great judo throw...

Underground Train Judo Ground
1

...is a great standing guard pass. You'd think I'd have caught something so utterly simple yet so profound a lot sooner.

I have found that envisioning my standing game as a "guard" has helped me progress more rapidly. When I'm going against one of my bjj buddies standing, I try to create the type of confusion, unbalancing and unease that you find in a guy with a great guard.

Then, I try to sweep (as you would in the guard) or "turtle" (turn my back and "reverse") with the hope of solidifying a guard pass position (turtle or side, etc.)

some bjj guys have such good guards that it's really great that there is a standing option to avoiding those dynamics if at all possible.

With a really good judo guy, I also think in terms of guard, but now I'm in their really good "guard" and I have to figure out how to take advantage of their forcing a move to change the angle to "pass" (get their back, just counter, heck even stall and stay alive, or pull guard myself, I mean, do a sacrifice throw)!

Don't know if anyone can relate or if this is a no brainer but thought I would just add my 2 cents.

2

That's an interesting insight, Rooster, thanks for sharing it with us.

Ben

3

Sure Ben, I think that combining bjj and judo is not only great fun, and creates a very balanced jacket wrestler, but it also allows one to dictate and determine how the bout will play out strategically.

I just wish I was much better at both. I go with awesome judo guys and I'm amazed at how technical there stand up is.

I go with awesome bjj guys and I'm amazed at how technical their ground game is. It's really a struggle to continue to advance your game (I'm 39)at my age. But I look at guys like couture, or foreman, and know that technique is the key!