Open The Closed Guard Like Butter With Dan McCarthy

Posted by Fanatics Authors on December 19, 2018

Great Detail To Open The Closed Guard by Dan McCarthy

Today we are going to look at some very important details on how to open the closed guard by Dan McCarthy. Dan McCarthy is a 50 year old black belt who trains at Bernardo Faria’s academy in Bedford, MA. Even at age 50, Daniel has adapted his game to train hard with everyone at the academy. He is a very tough guy and is very good at opening the closed guard. Watch the video below and then we will break down Dan’s technique. Check it out!

Bernardo Faria is known for his fundamental jiu jitsu concepts that just make sense. That is why guys like Dan McCarthy are so solid and tough at the gym... even at 50 years old!

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Dan starts out the demonstration in Bernardo Faria’s closed guard. The first thing he does is secure his grips. His right hand goes for his training partner’s collar, and he uses a 4 finger grip on the sleeve grip. Instead of pulling Faria’s arm, Dan pushes it across his body with his knuckles – a very important detail. From here Dan steps up, thinking about a target to reach behind his opponent’s. McCarthy emphasizes excellent posture – you should be looking up at the ceiling while you are stepping up. Next, McCarthy uses elbow pressure on his training partner’s thighs, then steps back, breaking the guard. Notice Dan has captured his opponent’s leg. He pinches the leg to his hip and walks backwards, and pulls his opponent into him so that he can come right up into the knee on belly.

Talk about a simple, effective way to open the close guard and control your opponent so that you can land in knee on belly. I do not think I have ever seen this type of method to pass someone’s guard. It is very original, and you can tell that Dan knows how to problem solve in BJJ with unique solutions. This is really cool stuff from Dan McCarthy! Make sure you try this one out.