Got guard? Got closed guard?? Know your roots and grappling history with a short lesson on the origins of the closed guard.

http://www.groundnevermisses.com/2014/06/a-short-history-of-closed-guard-in.html

Interesting post and great old film.

I think there is a lack of emphasis on closed guard work in modern BJJ, I think it's a detriment to the training as a whole.

I recently had a friend tell me she was told at another academy in town, by a black belt, that closed guard was "white belt technique!" A major academy stating this to a purple belt when she wanted to work on bettering her guard!

I agree Tim.

Sad. I think it's one of the reasons the BJJ guard is no longer feared in MMA.

Unfortunately, most of the modern technical innovations in BJJ, while great for scoring points in gi matches, are virtually useless in a MMA venue (or real fight for that matter).

I'm now seeing the first generation of young guys coming in from other academies up to purple belt level that have insane sweeps, but can't do a proper Americana. And the IBJJF rules aren't helping the situation either.

It's sad to think that academies that teach "traditional" BJJ including self-defense and practical ground fighting for MMA or the street are becoming increasingly hard to find.

Solid points Tim. I must say the quality has been disappointing with a lot of the modern day competitors I have seen.

That's exactly what I've seen in my own local school. I love the owner, love the guys and I go to their open mat time, but I cannot go to their classes. "Flash"! Advance techniques = low %...fundamentals = high %.