I've been training a whole lot less because of school the last four years, and it seems the thing that completely flew out of my mind was open guard. I also have an 600ish game history of a softball catcher (NEVER let your kids do that), so the ligaments and cartilage in my knees are absolutely shot. It sounds like pop rocks when I squat.
I'm looking to completely start over on my open guard, going back to basics and hopefully working up to techniques that won't kill me (DLR and berimbolo almost always make my roll over in pain). I'm mostly talking attacks from bottom, but if we're being honest my passing needs it too. Recommend an instructor, youtube series, DVD set? Preferably youtube because money issues but I'm for supporting other athletes if I can scrounge up the cash and it's worth it. 
Not to hijack but I did not know you played ball. Where at ? 
Half guard, Faria game. I've had both my acls reconstructed.
I know you it's not quite an open guard, but with bad knees life is better in the deep half distance.
Hey I'm down to learn! My half guard needs work too. I'll check out his instructionals
Aaronrodgers=GOAT - Not to hijack but I did not know you played ball. Where at ?Didn't play in college...got scholarship offers to a few small schools but chose BJJ and an academic ride. I played softball since I was four, but from 11-18 I was catcher on a traveling tournament team and then 14-18 on my high school team as well. There wasn't a decent backup catcher with either setup so I ended up getting too much time behind the plate.
DLR only hurts one's knees if you don't align the hook properly. This happens a lot when people try to play DLR parallel with their opponent. You should be as close to perpendicular as possible. Your hooking leg should be as close to perpendicular as possible (the knee should be in line with your own shoulder), same goes for reverse DLR.
Anyways, I have 3 torn menisci and play primarily spider guard and DLR. Try using the DLR--> sit up guard stuff as it is less reliant on flexibility and you won't be getting your knees twisted at all. I mostly use my spider and dlr to get myself into x guard or attack omoplatas.
Coolio, I love softball. Now back to correct ting your open guard.
Spider techniques and walk throughs are what I'm looking for...please post or recommend some. And I should have clarified, I don't have issues with placing or maintaining the hook in DLR, but if someone quickly angles their knee out with pressure to pass the hook, I've gotten hurt multiple times. I'm trying to avoid it as much as I can.
Have had two torn ACLs for about 10 years. Half guard has always saved my knees.
Hillary - Spider techniques and walk throughs are what I'm looking for...please post or recommend some. And I should have clarified, I don't have issues with placing or maintaining the hook in DLR, but if someone quickly angles their knee out with pressure to pass the hook, I've gotten hurt multiple times. I'm trying to avoid it as much as I can.
It is kinda hard to walk through techniques online.
It is also hard to play spider and avoid using the DLR hook completely. It is a fantastic control position. If you're safe with X guard, watch how Romulo and Leandro Lo get to x guard from spider. Keenan used to do it for a while when he was in the late stages of brown belt, early black.
Probably Langhi DVDs for spider
What about butterfly?
Stephan Kestings Spider Guard Masterclass DVD has years worth of material. He covers all forms of spider including DLR.
Cross grip and tornado guard.
Ryan Hall's Defensive Guard.
It goes back to the basics, but still provides the nuances that someone at your level can appreciate.
Thanks guys! Aboveandbeyond, I'm all about the basics.
LCSULLA - What about butterfly?
Love butterfly. I've been reading notes I typed up as a blue/purple from MG seminars.
And honorable mentions goes to any of Robson Moura's materials. His closed guard and cross-grip guard material is top notch.
Hillary -LCSULLA - What about butterfly?
Love butterfly. I've been reading notes I typed up as a blue/purple from MG seminars.
Don't know if you already belong...but if not invest in Marcelo's site. Tons of vids on all these concepts.