How do you guys break down a close guard? Of course, there are the ones that we've all learned (if you are indeed training)...the basic rolls, elbow movement, etc, but does anyone have a tried and true secret of their own?

How about something that your trainer/coach has taught you, that isn't something that everyone nows? I'm just looking for more techniques and ways to improve my playbook...

Any help?

Thats actually a huge weak spot of mine as well, i sometimes bring my arm back and just grab the ankle and try to get a release on their grip, but for the most part if someone is keeping you in a closed guard, i just relax, becuz that means they are being defensive and not trying to improve, which if they are on the bottom thats fine to me, if all else if i truly need to get out i just put the elbow to the thighs, or i try standing up while keeping my hands on their hips to at least break the guard to get something going.

But then Big John McCarthy will tell you to get it going :P

Bryan - are you referring to rolling only (no hitting?)

Ha, yea my bad i misunderstood and just thought rolling, if strikes are involved well that changes the game.

Yea, sorry. I'm referring to rolling. When you're both tired, and its later on in the fight. I know a lot of people have told me that fighters tend to over use the close guard to regain stamina...similar to a clutch in boxing.

I'm just looking for ways to exploit that. And help prevent it of course.

a few ways to break it

try grabbing their bottom foot and pressing down. very little pressure is needed using this method.

Sit up and press both elbows into the insides of their knees. Remember to keep your hands up so you don't get punched in the face.

Sinjin's got the bulk of what I was going to say.

You need to learn about pressure points, if you don't know about any now, go and learn. Pressure points are a great method to utilize when in a close guard. The human body has plenty and if you can pull it off and push on his points, he'll be forced to let go immediately...unless he can withstand the pain, which, if you do long enough will most likely be impossible.

When i've done a close guard, someone's always pressed on my joints or pressure points, and its extremely excruciating, so I try not to do it. I only do it in the late rounds when we both need to rest...its more or less an "accepted, silent agreement".

Pressure points are very versatile, and can be used in almost any fighting situation. If used right, can be painful without being fatal.

As said in the thread already, in a close guard pressure points are your best chance of escaping and creating an opening for a good counter.

I believe in some fights pressure points can be illegal to use. Because of the excruciating pain and sometimes fatal danger.

I'm not sure what the official ruling is for MMA and UFC, but I've been to a couple sparring matches where there were no pressure points exploition allowed.

Anyone wanna follow that up for me?

As I stated in the Locks & Holds thread, most MMA competitions and the UFC do not allow pressure points, wristlocks, eye jabs, small joint manipulation etc.