The Guard Retention and Ashi Garami Transition Setups

Guard retention strategies from the bottom position. Focuses on maintaining guard integrity against standing pass attempts and transitioning into offensive ashi garami attacks when opportunities arise. The approach covers defensive frames, positional adjustments, and opportunistic submissions

Flow outline

  1. Guard Retention

    • Most of the time 1. Initial defensive position from bottom 2. Focus on maintaining guard control 3. Foundation for all retention sequences Switch if it stalls

  2. High Leg Retention

    • From here, quick note: 1. elevate one leg to create distance 2. use high leg to disrupt opponent's balance 3. transition point for standing attacks angle matters

  3. Inside Leg Retention

    • 1. bring legs inside opponent's control 2. create frames with knees and elbows 3. defend against close-range pressure switch if it stalls

  4. Bottom Closed Guard

    • Key detail: 1. full guard control position 2. legs wrapped around opponent's torso 3. multiple submission and sweep options available

  5. Standing North South

    • From here, most of the time 1. opponent establishes north-south position 2. requires immediate framing response 3. critical defensive situation

  6. Enter Ashi Garami

    • Usually 1. Transition to leg entanglement position 2. Control opponent's leg between yours 3. Foundation for leg lock attacks Angle matters

  7. Enter De La Riva

    • often 1. set de la riva guard hook 2. control distance with outside hook 3. set up sweeps and transitions

Branch conditions