2 Part Technique - The legs are strong at pushing and pulling, but not at opening from the knees. The Folding Pass attacks this weakness in the legs. If the opponent is able to escape the passing position by transitioning to Half Guard...

2 Part Lesson - Marcelo explains how to pierce a skilled and armored Butterfly Guard when the opponent is tense, alert, and concentrated. Marcelo offsets the opponent with a firm clubbing collar tie, before spearing into the openings.

2 Part Technique - Counter your opponent's Double Under Control from Butterfly by framing against his neck and pummeling for Over Under Control. Clear his knee into Half Guard and cinch up with Underhook & Head Control for the Over Und...

3 Part Lesson — Marcelo wants his students to find the line between Safety & Danger: [I] Never let your feet get ahead of your hands. If you plant your base too closely to your opponent, he may find a hook or grip that will lead to you...

3 Part Lesson — Marcelo opts for "Skipping" passed the guard in Nogi: [I] Slowly passing with pressure starting on the legs can prove tediously difficult against a game opponent; they will oftentimes frame and hip escape well before yo...

3 Part Lesson — Marcelo puts pressure on a defensive Butterfly Guard: [I] If you can find a gap along your opponent's side, fire your lead leg knee through the space for the Knee Slide Pass. If the opponent's elbow is tightly defending...

2 Part Lesson — Marcelo remarks on friction and technique in Nogi: [I] Dry your hands on your shorts before attempting a lock around your opponent; any help you can get by removing sweat from your hands will go a long way toward your p...

2 Part Lesson — Marcelo escapes the 50/50 Guard: [I] If your opponent undoes his Figure-4 around your leg while you are standing to swing his leg as a pendulum for momentum, quickly insert your free foot as a hook in between his legs a...

2 Part Lesson — Marcelo skips the hand-fight when slippery: [I] If you cannot get ahold of your opponent's hands when setting up your pass because sweat is making it difficult to grip, omit this phase of your plan entirely and thrust d...

3 Part Lesson — Marcelo counters the 2on1 from guard: [I] If you can help it, never allow your open to settle in on a grip of your sleeve. Smack his grip off of your wrist before your opponent has a chance to harden his fist with mater...

3 Part Lesson — Marcelo passes Seated Butterfly Guard while kneeling: [I] If your opponent stays balled up and rigid to avoid letting you claim the inside space for an underhook and if he prevent you from grabbing his ankles to force a...

2 Part Lesson - Forcing the opponent's back to the mat is the initial step in passing his Butterfly Guard. He will obstruct your Under Hook and inhibit you from restraining his legs. Engage with him differently, substituting Collar and...