Tim,

Could you suggest an attacking flow sequence of when you have someone in your closed guard?

thanks,
Macaco fino

I can go over a sequence or two that I like (unfortunately, only grappler's will know what I'm talking about). Start with a basic cross lapel choke (we're in gis); when the opponent theads his arm through your arms to defend, climb you legs up his back and lock your feet high up behind the opponent's upper back; now you are in a good position to pull the opponent down chest to chest, breaking his posture; as you pull him down with your legs, pull one of his arms across your chest and set up an ambar; with your legs high behind the opponent's back, and because you have pulled him forward off his base, it will be difficult for him to defend the armbar; if the opponent manages to defend his arm and smash you so that you can't turn your hips, hug around his upper back on the armbar side and hold him close to your chest; with your other hand, underhook his leg from the inside, pull your head toward his knee and using your leg on the underhook side to push his upper ribs, sweep him to his blocked side, coming up to the top mount.
Without a gi (anything goes), lock your guard around the opponent's lower ribs and extend your legs, squeezing his ribs as much as possible (if your legs are relatively strong, many people will tap from the pressure); the opponent will attempt to push down on your knees to relieve the pressure; reach your right hand between the opponent's left elbow and ribs, cupping behind his elbow thumb down (your hand rotated outward); reach your left palm around the outside of the opponent's left elbow (thumb down, your hand rotated inward) and hold over your right hand; move your hips to the right and twist onto your left hip as you pull the opponent's left arm to you, bending his arm 90 degrees behind his back (Kimura or chicken wing position) his left wrist will be pinched in your right elbow crook; block the opponent's right hip with your left foot so he can't pass your guard, pinch your right knee down behind his left shoulder to add pressure to the shoulder lock; If the opponent resists, you can step over his head with your right foot and apply the shoulder lock with yur legs (omo plata).