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Chris Mikuta
Jun 17, 20192 min read
CLOSED GUARD CONTROL FUNDAMENTALS – IMPORTANT POSITIONAL TIPS
Let’s get into control fundamentals for the Closed Guard. Hopefully, these tips will help improve your knowledge of this ever evolving,...
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Chris Mikuta
Jun 10, 20192 min read
Completing the Pass – Dealing with Opponent Bail-Outs (Part 4 of 4)
You’re working the Guard pass like a boss. As you get to the side, your opponent anticipates the movement, firing their far arm under...
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Chris Mikuta
Jun 3, 20192 min read
Completing the Pass – Hips, Pressure & Redirection (Part 3 of 4)
Understanding these three things, hips – pressure – redirection, will help with your ability to become a better Guard passer. Let’s take...
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Chris Mikuta
May 20, 20192 min read
Completing the Pass – Getting Past Those Dangerous Legs (Part 2 of 4)
John Danaher once stated that “getting past those dangerous legs” was a major step in Passing the Guard. So let’s pick up where we left...
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Chris Mikuta
May 13, 20192 min read
Completing the Pass – One of the Most Difficult Skills to Develop in BJJ (Part 1 of 4)
Guard Passing can be one of the most difficult skills to master in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This can be seen at all levels and it’s something...
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Chris Mikuta
May 6, 20191 min read
Focus on Set-Ups & “Clean Up” Submissions
Today’s weekly mindset is simple in concept, but complex in execution. It’s important to have as many options available as possible to...
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Chris Mikuta
Apr 29, 20192 min read
The Kimura: From White to Black Belt
This week we're going to detract from our normal progression of fundamental blog posts to focus on a video recently shared to AXT...
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Chris Mikuta
Apr 22, 20191 min read
Takedown Defense Before Offense
Unfortunately, not all Jiu-Jitsu students come from a Judo or Wrestling background, where takedowns and throws are constantly on the...
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Chris Mikuta
Apr 15, 20191 min read
Force the Half Guard & the Step-Step Concept
Often times getting to Half Guard first gives you a goal, or starting point, to work from. Consequently, passing from the Half Guard can...
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Chris Mikuta
Apr 8, 20192 min read
Knowing when to Scoot and when to Shrimp
This topic of goes along with last week’s blog on keeping your opponent in your “headlights” when in front of you. Presuming that most...
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Chris Mikuta
Apr 1, 20191 min read
Understanding Guard Retention Zone vs Escaping Zone
(my picture for this blog wasn't playing nice so I left it off) Using a car analogy, when rolling a person directly in front of you is in...
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Chris Mikuta
Mar 25, 20191 min read
STAY UP WHEN IN GUARD
(my picture for this blog isn't playing nice so it was left off) If you’re kneeling or standing up in someone’s Guard, why would you move...
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Chris Mikuta
Mar 18, 20191 min read
STANDING TO OPEN A CLOSED GUARD
This picture speaks volumes, so visually take it in. Standing up in someone’s Guard should be a priority. It gives you the assistance of...
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Chris Mikuta
Mar 11, 20191 min read
INITIAL GUARD APPROACH
Many Jiu-Jitsu schools have their newer students learn to play the Closed Guard first. For reasons too many to go into here, let’s just...
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Chris Mikuta
Mar 4, 20191 min read
Guard control, retention & sweeps > Before Submissions
Most jiu-jitsu students have heard “Position before Submission” at some point. As a general rule, when it comes to positional...
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Chris Mikuta
Feb 25, 20192 min read
LEARNING HOW TO REDIRECT
(Sorry, but my image for this blog just wasn't playing nice so I left it out) Simple message for this week…learn how to redirect. When...
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Chris Mikuta
Feb 18, 20192 min read
ESCAPING TO THE KNEES (As opposed to going directly to Guard – No leg frame)
I’m not stating that Re-Guarding shouldn’t happen, because it should. The focus in this blog is more towards “leg framing” vs escaping....
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Chris Mikuta
Feb 11, 20195 min read
HOW TO DEAL WITH COMPETING AT TOURNAMENTS
I’ll start by stating that I respect all of those who decide to compete in grappling competitions. Despite… · all of the training at the...
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Chris Mikuta
Feb 4, 20191 min read
FOCUS ON ESCAPES
“What should I focus on?” Whenever I hear this question the answer is always the same…Escapes. Not just positional escapes, but...
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Chris Mikuta
Jan 21, 20191 min read
TOP GAME MOVEMENT (when needed)
As a student gains knowledge and experience, it becomes more important to know when and where to move while in the top position. However,...
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