2 Part Technique - An opponent that relies on closed guard will feel desperate after its broken. Commonly, the opponent will reach behind your lead leg to Star Sweep. This reaction is a great opportunity for an easy crucifix entry if y...

2 Part Technique - Create distance using an inside control to posture safely. The best way to break the opponent's closed guard is by standing. Premeditate when the opponent grabs your ankle and kick your leg out in a circular motion. ...

2 Part Technique - Don't bring your opponent to the mat if he jumps for Closed Guard from Standing. Use an underhook to hold him away from the mat and your legs while you work to break his ankles with your other hand pressing down on h...

2 Part Technique - Marcelo believes the best way to break open the Closed Guard is by standing up, putting the weight of his opponent's own body against the crossed ankles. Of course, your success with this method is directly correlate...

3 Part Lesson — Marcelo diffuses several attacks from Closed Guard: [I] Peel off your opponent's control before anything else can go wrong. Don't trust even the most innocuous of touches or contact, especially after getting manipulated...

Marcelo dials in on an overlooked aspect of breaking the Closed Guard from standing: [I] When your opponent decides to uncross his ankles and drop down into an Open Guard after you pick up his Closed Guard from the mat, immediately swi...

3 Part Lesson - Marcelo conceptualizes defense and offense against an opponent's leg attacks after breaking Closed Guard.

3 Part Lesson - Marcelo defeats common leg attacking and entrapping moments through anticipation, stable body structure, and precise movements to evade danger.

2 Part Technique - If for some reason or another, you cannot explosively stand to break open your opponent's Closed Guard, press up onto your feet in a staggered stance and keep your weight onto your lead foot as you pry open his ankle...

3 Part Technique - As in the previous advanced lesson, Marcelo teaches us how to dismantle the Spider Guard. However, this time, we encounter difficulty with freeing our lasso'ed arm because the opponent won't let us reach our grip. If...

3 Part Technique - Sometimes your opponent is too strong to simply yank yourself free from his 2on1 Control, and pulling backward just isn't enough room to break his grip. This is an ideal time to whip out of his control by snapping a ...

2 Part Lesson — Marcelo thwarts the Spider-Guard: [I] If your opponent assumes Double Sleeve Control (two mirrored, ipsilateral grips) and tightly secures both Spider-Hooks (e.g. Stirrup & Lasso, i.e. Foot-On-Biceps and Shin-On-Biceps,...