Sneaky Knee Bar Entry From Half Guard That Your Training Partners Will Never See Coming

The Ground Marshal Half Guard by Neil Melanson

Who is Neil Melanson? Neil could easily be considered one of the most dangerous men on the planet. Neil was the head coach of the infamous Blackzillians MMA Team and Randy Couture’s Xtreme Couture gym. He has coached some of the best UFC fighters to ever compete to the pinnacle of the sport including Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, Randy Couture, Matt Mitrione and many more. His students have given high praise. Chael Sonnen said, “Neil would slap Rickson Gracie around like it was easy.” Jiu Jitsu black belt and former UFC Champion Vitor Belfort stated that “Neil could triangle anybody in any room.”

Neil boasts a unique education when it comes to grappling.  He began his education at the Hayastan School where he learned techniques from Catch Wrestling, Judo and Sambo from world renowned coaches Gene Lebel and Gokor Chivichyan. His grappling style is a combination of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Catch Wresting and Sambo. He is the living embodiment of the Bruce Lee quote, "Absorb what is useful. Reject what is useless. Add what is essentially your own.”

Beyond his impressive education and grappling abilities, Neil is an extremely capable teacher. He takes a meticulous approach and breaks down the detail so that is can be easily understood by even the grappling novice.

 

What can catch wrestling do for your half guard?  Click Learn More!

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Neil takes a unique approach to bottom half guard. His focus is not on the under hook. Instead, he opts for a cross grip on the far side wrist. He then reinforces the grip with his near side arm. With this 2 on 1 control, he comes up close. He then pivots to his knees without sacrificing the 2 on 1 control. Next, he secures his elbow in his opponents arm pit with his arm under his opponent’s chin. He creates kuzushi with a push pull dynamic. When his opponent pushes into him he rolls into the reverse ashi position. He takes his opponents far side leg with his arm and secures the grip by grabbing the back of his own head.  He sits back and locks a figure four his leg and wraps the top side arm over his opponents head to form a cradle. From there the knee bar is a quick finish.

Many consider Neil Melanson to be a mad scientist of grappling. This sequence is a fine testament to that. His approach is not based on a singular style but a hybrid of many approaches. He is obsessed with independent and free thinkers like Nicola Tesla and his style of grappling is brilliant testament to that.  If you have ever seen Neil’s instructional videos than you certainly understand what we mean. If you have not had the privilege, click on the link below for more Ground Marshal Half Guard, check out Neil Melanson's DVD of the same name from BJJ Fanatics!  Trust us, you've never seen such brutally effective and perfect techniques as these ones!  Get it here at BJJ Fanatics!

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