I’m also looking at some of the tips over at BJ Penn’s My Gym. One interesting tip has to do with what I called the “Hilo Guard” sometime ago. Basically it is an open guard for no gi that involves putting both feet on the hips at the same time. This obviously gives you a lot of control over the guy’s ability to move forward. But I never really worked the Hilo guard thoroughly and BJ’s talk about open guard for no gi gave me some things to think about.
For one, BJ says to keep your shins on the guy’s biceps and your hands around his triceps to help hold him in place. You don’t want him to get too high on your knees or too low by your ankles—both of which would make it easier for him to pass your guard. And we all know what BJ Penn’s attitude is toward letting guys pass your guard … So keep the guy on the top of your shins. The Hilo guard works by pushing with your legs on the hips and pulling on his triceps with your hands.
BJ says that the guy will try to trap your hips by either overhooking or underhooking your leg. If he tries to go over, then just block his arm with your arm on that side. If he tries to go under, then just circle your leg at the knee counterclockwise and replace the guard.
If the guy does manage to get over your knees, then do the following: (1) raise your hips up, (2) put both hands on his shoulders and lock them out, forming a double stiff arm, (3) elbow escape to one side and replace the Hilo guard, (4) elbow escape to the other side and replace the Hilo guard.
