2 things to avoid when in someone else's guard | Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Long Island MMA Black-belt Billy Hofacker teaches us 2 things to avoid when you are in someone else's guard.

Often times when new students start training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Long Island MMA we notice students will try some common things that seem like a good idea but might wind up hurting you in the long run.

These are the 2 things we often see at Long Island MMA from brand new Jiu Jitsu practitioners.

1. When new students find themselves inside someone's guard we often see them try to pry open their opponents legs by digging their elbows into the legs of their opponent. This can work against them because it is repetitively easy for the person playing guard to stuff the top persons hand in-between their legs to attack a triangle choke.

Digging your elbows in someones legs is also just plain bad technique. Digging your elbows on the inside of your opponents thighs will never get an experienced player to open their guard you must you a specific guard break to open the guard.

2. Trying to choke someone from inside the guard.

We see this a lot, sometimes not exactly as depicted in the video but sometimes by a forearm across the neck. This is also an easy way for the bottom person to set up a submission but a lot of times we see the bottom person push the top guys arm aside, making it easy for the bottom guy to get the back-take.

These are just somethings we see at long island MMA. Let us know if you guys can think of anything else you shouldn't do inside the guard.

UFC Gym Long Island

The UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is widely regarded as being the number one organization for Mixed Martial Arts in the entire world. Being that this is the case, it is bouts hosted by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that are most sought after for viewing because of their reputation for being of the highest caliber. Now if the UFC brand name is associated with the highest caliber of Mixed Martial Arts that there is to offer wouldn’t you be excited to hear that you can train at a UFC Gym? Of course your expectation may be that because of their reputation for being the best you will be receiving the absolute best form of Mixed Martial Arts training. Sadly this is just not the case, and new students who believe that they are receiving quality training are caught looking through the shroud of a huge name brand.

     It has been the case on more than one occasion that coaches have been found to have illegitimate credentials and coming from such a trusted name this is simply a disservice to the MMA community as a whole. The spread of Mixed Martial Arts culture should viewed with an utmost sense of seriousness and responsibility, not an effective way to make extra money. Having new students presented with possible misinformation not only has a direct effect on their ability to understand and apply the concepts taught to them, but it also indirectly effects the entire MMA community by allowing the spread of this illegitimacy to the less informed.

     When seeking out a place to begin training in Mixed Martial Arts it is usually best to seek out privately owned gyms. Like any other investment it is important to do your due diligence before investing in a facility however, you will be far better off in finding a true Mixed Martial Arts academy if you seek the best Mixed Martial Arts training rather than settling for a brand name that is nothing more than your average fitness gym masquerading as a loosely qualified MMA school. The best coaches are more often than not found at private academies such as Long Island Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness Center. The coaching staff at this gym consists of the absolutely highest qualified active MMA fighters such as the gym’s owner Ryan LaFlare (UFC Welterweight Contender) as well as Dennis Bermudez (UFC Featherweight Contender), Chris Wade (UFC Lightweight Contender) and Marcos Galvao (Bellator Bantamweight Champion).

     Long Island MMA is one of many qualified private MMA training facilities in the world that are true to what Mixed Martial Arts is and what its culture represents. Therefore in looking for a place to be introduced to MMA, seek out instruction from the real athletes, from the fighters themselves rather than a flashy brand. The UFC can stick to what it does best, hosting fights. But once again, in seeking instruction look to the fighters themselves.