Z GuardFiled Under: Instruction, Local
Okay, I’d like to come clean from the get go. I don’t play Z Guard, I’m not good at Z Guard, heck, I don’t know how to break down the Z Guard. (I’ve recently been getting submitted by some z guard moves ) .
Which is why I needed some help.
I asked Eddie Edmunds of Team Fusion Academy to show me some passes and principles of Z guard.
Another to keep in mind is that there are a bunch of “versions” of the z guard. Steven Kesting defines the z guard as the knee-in half guard, with the knee either drawn across the belly (like a half guard scissor sweep) or the knee tilted up on the chest and shoulder ( the variation I use – akin to a half spider guard, shin on bicep sort of thing). I’ve also seen Gene Simco show the “zig zag” guard with the gi – it’s like s-mount but from the guard, if that makes any sense.
Anyway… the point is that the legs make a Z formation of some kind, and the knees and the hooks help create distance and control your opponent.
The above videos come from a longer shoot Eddie and I did together – I’ll release more of them in a future post with an interview with Sensei Edmunds. Also, the full quality version of the videos will be available for direct download at that point as well.
Other posts you may enjoy:
Tags: Eddie Edmunds, Fusion BJJ, half guard, z guard
- Permalink
- BartB
- 7 Oct 2009 5:26 PM
- Comments (7)
October 7th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
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October 8th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Very interesting, and I’m glad to say that I actually could get a grip on what was being done and how you’d defend from it and what not. I was able to relate it to the scissor sweep that we learned today in class. It seems like though, in the second video it’d be harder to just stand up than it actually looks. If you’re in his guard, it seems like standing up would be too simple of an answer. I’ll have to try this with someone. Thanks !
October 8th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
As I was watching the video about the Z guard and pass my attention was drawn to the instruction given to always keep your hips up. Looking back on the class this semester I can certainly see how that is imperative to keep in mind when grappling. Any position that you may find yourself in when your hips are in a forward position you are able to keep better control of protecting yourself and being ready to attack your opponent.
October 15th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I guess the problem I’m seeing just from the above video is the MMA application of z-guard from the bottom. Yes there are some sweeps and such, but I don’t see how stacking and strong hips couldn’t overpower that move. I guess you’ll need to show me.
So yeah, my point is why would you pull z-guard as opposed to butterfly or full guard? Is it just one of those you’re in the position so you make the best of it?
October 16th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Sam –
I’ll pass those questions to someone more knowledgeable about the Z-guard, but here’s my take as a n00b z-guarder.
In MMA, it’s like half-guard. Not optimal, but much better than side control. The knee weaved creates a good deal of space and protection.
The grips seem to play an important factor in how much control and damage prevention you can do.
I believe I saw Thiago Alves use a little bit of Z-guard for damage control while fighting GSP in UFC 100.
I was messing around with Z-guard yesterday and pulled off a stand up from guard move.
Until I learn more, I’m in your camp MMA-wise. Make the most of it, try to sweep, omoplata, stand up or regain full guard.
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Thanks alot for the tips, very helpful
December 29th, 2009 at 1:26 am
[...] I have put some clips throughout this post. (I also released some of the footage in my post about z guard.) If you want to see the whole thing, you have two options. You can download it in high [...]