Jimmy Pedro’s Lesson of the Month

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the following position is referred to as the “Open Guard.” Since there is no formal name for it in Judo, we will also refer to it as the open guard.

Throughout his career, Jimmy Pedro had a lot of success attacking from the top position in the open guard, and was able to pin numerous opponents with his signature guard pass. In this special technique development section, Jimmy will demonstrate and explain how you can master the Pedro Guard Pass.

Key Point:
It is very important not to let your opponent wrap both of his legs around your waist and cross them. In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, this is called the “closed guard.” In a Judo competition, there simply isn’t enough time to break your opponent’s legs apart.

Begin by kneeling outside of your opponent’s right ankle with your left knee. Reach under your opponent’s left leg and grab the skirt of his gi. Pull the skirt toward you and trap your opponent’s left leg between your wrist and your bicep.

Make sure to bury your shoulder into your opponent’s stomach with your head facing away and keep your left hand away from your opponent’s reach by hiding it under his right leg.

Note: If done correctly, your opponent should not be able to bring his left leg up to your shoulder.

Start to come around your opponent’s right leg by moving to your left and using your left arm to pass his leg. Be sure to keep pressure down on his right leg and keep your hips low. It is also important to keep enough pressure on his left leg with your right arm so that your opponent cannot “figure-four” his legs nor bring them together.

Note: Be sure to keep your hips low and maintain pressure on your opponent’s legs so that he cannot bring them together.

To free your leg, walk your hips away from your opponent and straighten your right leg. Sometimes, it is necessary to put your right knee on the ground and circle the lower half of your leg to the right (see photo).

Once you free your leg, quickly bring your right knee up to your opponent’s hip so that he cannot capture your leg again. You should finish in Yoko Shiho Gatame.

Special tip: If your opponent is extremely flexible, it may be necessary to grab your opponent’s right leg with your right hand and pull it straight to make the final pass around his right leg.