The Reactive Counter Study

My notes on how to defend guard passes by waiting for your opponent's mistakes

Flow outline

1. Defending The Guard Pass

   • If it shows up, Your starting point. Stay patient and observe your opponent's movements. Let them commit to a pass attempt before reacting

2. Parallel Defense Vs Perpendicular Attack

   • From here, from here, keep parallel alignment to defend, then shift to perpendicular when you spot an opening. wait for their commitment before changing angles

3. Single Underhook Pass

   • They attempt a single underhook pass. Stay calm and wait for them to overextend. Their head position will create opportunities

4. Double Underhook Pass 1

   • Once set, they secure double underhooks. don't panic. wait for them to commit their weight forward before making your move

5. Double Underhook Pass 2

   • Often They continue with double underhooks. Stay patient. Their elbow control will eventually create space for you to exploit

6. Double Underhook Pass 3

   • From here, they keep double underhooks. wait for them to attempt the final pass. their roll to turtle will expose their back

7. Half Guard Pass

   • Often They attempt a half guard pass. Stay composed. Their leg clamp creates predictable pressure you can counter. Angle matters

8. Toreador Variation Defense

   • Key detail: they use toreador variations. recognize the pattern early. their side pass attempts leave specific openings you can exploit. don’t force it

9. Toreador Pass 1

   • from here, they initiate a toreador pass. wait for their leg grab. their forward momentum creates opportunities for counters. don’t force it

10. Passes With Toreador To Deep Control

    • They achieve deep hip control with toreador. Don't force escapes. Wait for them to overcommit to north-south positioning

Branch conditions

• Opponent Attempts Single Underhook
• Push Head To Floor And Sit
• if they Attempts Double Underhooks
• Turn To Your Side
• open opponent elbow
• Open Elbow And Roll To Turtle
• Opponent Attempts Half Guard Pass
• Switch Outside Leg To Clamp
• Opponent Uses Toreador Variations
• Opponent Attempts Toreador Pass
• Grab Opponent Leg
• opponent presses knees down and locks
• North South To Establish Parallel
• Recognize Pass And Grab Lapel
• Sit Up And Grab Elbows