“Driving the Head” from the Guard Escape

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52 Responses to ““Driving the Head” from the Guard Escape”

  1. Pete Says:

    I enjoyed the workshop (after I found the place), glad that it’s finally coming out on DVD. Good luck with it!

  2. Gary Thomas Says:

    Interesting manipulation of the opponent. Since this is self defense ,can you explain how this works if your opponent is not trying to grapple,but rather is ground and pounding you with elbows and punches?

  3. Dan Myers Says:

    Good demo Paul. At some point we always find ourselves on the bottom, getting out is not always the easiest. Establishishing the flow of escape, setting them up without them knowing, then….poof you’re gone! woe did that happen.

  4. Tom M Says:

    Nice. Gonna add that to my arsenal when I play guard. Keep ‘em coming. Thanks.

  5. Marcelo Corpuz Says:

    Great video, Paul. Great stuff, as always.

  6. Dan Says:

    Nice. I always have trouble on my back. I’m gonna’ try this manana.

  7. Robert Talkington Says:

    This is the kind of stuff I like to learn. I am always learning BJJ techniques. It is the things in between the techniques like hand fighting and body positioning that I need help with. Thanks.

  8. Matt Says:

    I’ll try that one asap

  9. Kevin Says:

    Nice! I will give this a go tonight at the academy.

  10. AL Says:

    One of the simplest, yet effective moves I’ve seen. Great tip!

  11. Nicoco Says:

    Like Eugene said in Robocop “I liked it”!!!!!

    Pushing the head that way is very useful, I always do it straight but never again.

    Great video, thank”s.

  12. Paul L. Says:

    I find this useful when I am gased on the bottom, buys me time to breath then pop out.
    You should try it!

  13. JEREMY H. Says:

    Whoa…definately new…and cool info. for me…i’ll be trying this out aaaaassssssssap(ASAP). Thanks.

  14. Jim Says:

    I tried this the other nite and it worked like magic .If you think about it this hand movement is the same as in some styles of kung fu ,greco roman arm drags and now bjj . Pure genius ! Keep up the good work .

    Over 50 and going strong,tapping and throwing

    Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.

  15. Lloyd Irvin Says:

    Good solid position that can be taken to another level once you learn it. Good info from The Wise Grappler!

  16. D. J. Says:

    Great vid. I like how the technique uses the brain more than just brute force.

  17. greg johnson Says:

    Thank you. I will start using circular motion, not so much back and forth up and down. Nice addition to my limited arsenal. Please keep sharing

  18. Bill Evans Says:

    As always, 1st class advice from a 1st class instructor….I’m 50 and have been involved in the martial arts for 36 years and always find a “pearl of wisdom” from the “Wise Grappler”…keep up the great work!!

  19. tim Says:

    SICK !

  20. Rouven Says:

    Thanks for that one. I allready knew some ways to get back up from the guard but this one is new. I’ll give it a try and see how it works

  21. Klay Says:

    Just started BJJ and am an OG. Your seven tips and now this video have been extremely helpful. Thanks for the info and I will be checking out your other offerings.

  22. Seung Says:

    Great stuff. Although I’m not an OG yet, it’s in sight and I want to be prepared so I can have longevity in this sport, which I love. Thanks.

  23. Mark Says:

    Awesome, head control is so important. love this stuff.

  24. Will Says:

    Nice! Very slick.

  25. steph2tdf Says:

    as the only female in class i ALWAYS end up on my back and this is definitley one of the techniques i use to get angles and escape – thanks for the tip!

  26. caston nathaniel Says:

    great stuff. simple, easy to remember and seems like great drill material as well

  27. Radivoje Karaica Says:

    Nice Tip For game opening.

  28. john Says:

    simple, effective tricks to start filling my bag. thanks

  29. karl Says:

    nice. thanks for showing this. been thinking about circular movements lately, and this is a nice way to escape to get to the top position.

  30. Preston Gagg Says:

    The sarcastic comment to the white belt seemed disrespectful to him.

  31. Kip Says:

    Paul,

    I like the combination of circular with the stiff arm. Simple… Easily implemented. Gotta love it!

  32. bryanz Says:

    nice… i like it when you explain the science of bjj, makes iteasier to understand for me.

  33. Part Time Grappler Says:

    Very good breakdown of the movement. A lot of people forget this dimension of Guard game (going to standing). Excellent.

  34. fireman grappla Says:

    great to use on an opponent with a real strong neck. the re direction gets em real frustrated! Outstanding stuff !!

  35. Big Bill Says:

    I always look forward to you videos. Great job!!

  36. jessie Says:

    I’ll try it, looks to be a good diversionary tactic.

  37. david Says:

    Tried to watch and it said video not found. :(

  38. Damon Says:

    I liket this make so much sense. Thanks.

  39. Mike Says:

    Easy, simple and very effective. Genius…love it! Thanks!

  40. One Determined Dog (ODD) Says:

    You surprised me by how quickly you moved to disengage then went on the offensive. I wasn’t expecting that!

  41. Paul Says:

    Hey PAUL! I’m alive and that was a kewl video.

    It’s amazing how the body reacts to things like that.

    I love reaction driven techniques.

  42. HerbM Says:

    That head deflection instead of straight push and pull idea is a great tip — I knew it in other contexts but have NOT been using it in BJJ; that will no longer be the case from today forward, so THANKS.

    Your idea of 70% rule is also timely for me as I just started trying to use a less specific rule the last few weeks. Sure, I understand the “70%” is not a hard number, but I was probably using 10-20% and that was likely way too late. I was waiting until I KNEW my position was going to get beaten, even though I was moving on just ahead of it happening. Really, that later than it needs to be.

    I am definitely an OG and you are definitely not too old for BJJ —
    since you are a black belt and much younger than I am.

    Since I am STARTING bjj at 56, with chronic arthritis that doesn’t even let me bend my knees much past 90 degrees, I am certain you are way young enough.

    For me, it isn’t about how “old” my body is or about what it cannot do, but rather what Jiu-Jitsu techiques WORK for my body and which ones make it possible for me to stay in the game. What lets me survive, escape, and start looking for own attacks.

    As I understand it, the essence of Brazilian jiu-jitsu is about maximizing your potential and was developed by people — especially Helio — who might be smaller and weaker than their opponents.

    I love your stuff (that I have seen so far), but I have to say that my experience has been somewhat different that your description of starting BJJ. Everyone has been nothing but gracious and helpful to me in the several places that I have rolled.

    As far as “beat downs” and disrespect, that just doesn’t happen here. Sure, I get tapped (and tap some out) but I don’t mind from an ego perspective; it just gives me something to work on.

    Personally I would rather work with the Purple belt who can find holes in my game and teach me stuff, than tap some other new(er) white belt who gives me his arm or neck.

    If the advanced student is just too good and were too rough for me, then I definitely would just ask him to teach me something specific and drill it with me.

    But, what do I know, I am just an newbie white belt OG…
    …who is having a lot of fun.

  43. Chris C. Says:

    Great techniques to catch someone off guard, I will have to work this into my game. Thanks!

  44. Alex E. Says:

    Hey, MP, just watched this and the other two. I really like the focus on high-percentage prevention rather than accepting their offense (which includes waiting to the point that their transition is inevitable) and trying a lower-percentage counter. Keep them coming! –Alex

  45. Mike Y. Says:

    Very interesting. Honestly, you don’t look very old at all.

  46. david Says:

    The vid played this time. Simple but very effective training tip I will definitely put in the arsenal. I like it.

  47. Derick Says:

    Nice details regarding where to look and how to push/pull the head. I will be sure to implement them.

  48. Lebeaux Says:

    Very nice! I really like this technique because it gives a refreshing perspective i’ve never really seen in BJJ! Nobody i know plays the game like this..I am definitely going to add this to my defense as im sure it will place me a step ahead of my opponent which is ultimately what all grpplers should aim to achieve. And for the price this DVD set is going for, you’d have to be stupid not to get it!

  49. Shawn Says:

    Great simple technique!

  50. francisco Says:

    I like the circular motion pull down, cause help you to set your opponent for something else, quick effective and easy

  51. steve Says:

    I always learn something from your videos. Great details about the transitions and the effects of angles. I always look forward to putting them into use at class. Thanks

  52. chris Says:

    Very effective, too often I find myself grabbing the collar to delay or attempt set ups. Great info thanks,

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