Bernardo Faria contra Lagarto, na final do Europeu 2012. Foto: Raphael Nogueira/GRACIEMAG.com

Quando você briga para evitar a passagem de guarda e cai na posição de quatro apoios, você não está 100% a salvo, ainda.

Um dos caminhos é não cair na posição, e catar logo as pernas do parceiro para cair por cima. Caso não dê certo, é hora de aprender a se defender virado para o chão.

O adversário pode pegar suas costas, catar seu pescoço no relógio, jogar o peso em cima da sua nuca, entre outros ataques e sufocos. O que fazer? Como se defender?

O faixa-preta Sean Bansfield, nosso GMA em Ann Arbor, Michigan, mostra no vídeo a seguir como se proteger na posição. A primeira recomendação é virar com segurança quando o oponente enfiar o primeiro gancho, e assim ceder a meia-guarda (1min01s).

Outra opção, quando o oponente estiver mirando seu pescoço na norte-sul, é quebrar a pegada dele e rolar para cair por cima (2min05s).

A terceira é uma posição que simboliza a essência do Jiu-Jitsu: sem fazer força, o professor simplesmente se senta (3min20s) e chega com suavidade para as costas do lutador que o atacava.

Na quarta e quinta, Sean ensina a movimentar-se para a frente para tentar ganhar um espaço e escapar do incômodo.

Confira e comente se você gostou e vai testar na próxima vez!

Bernardo Faria against Lagarto in the final at the 2012 European Championship / Photo by Raphael Nogueira/GRACIEMAG.com

When you’re fighting to keep your guard from getting passed and you end up on all fours, you know you’re not in the clear, yet.

One of the routes to take is to not get stuck there: grab the opponent’s leg and land on top. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to learn to defend while facing downwards.

The opponent can take your back, catch you in a clock choke, bear his weight down on the back of your neck, or do a whole assortment of other unpleasantries to you. What do you do? How do you defend?

In the following video, the black belt Sean Bansfield, a GMA of ours in Ann Arbor, Michigan, shows how to protect yourself in the position. At minute 1:01 he recommends turning safely when the opponent sticks the first hook in, thus conceding half-guard.

Another option, for when the opponent has your neck in his sights while in north-south position, is to break his grip and roll for top position—as in minute 2:05.

The third, at minute 3:20, is to rely on a position that embodies Jiu-Jitsu’s essence: without using any force at all, the Jiu-Jitsu professor simply sits and smoothly slides to the back of the fighter who was attacking him.

In the fourth and fifth variations, Sean teaches how to move forward to try to gain ground and avoid getting roughed up.

Give it a watch and let us know what you think.

GMA member Sean Bansfield  is the organizer of the Michigan Jiu-Jitsu Championship, to be held this Saturday, in Dearborn.

The event is exclusively No-Gi and registrations were closed December 1st.

It will feature two superfights: Tyrone Gooden (Rigan Machado) vs Mark Vives (New Breed); David Garmo (Caique) vs Corey Ottgen (Rigan Machado).

Bansfield is already planning the next installment, scheduled January 28th, a gi event.

For more info, go to mbjjc.com.

Our GMA member Sean Bansfield, o Ann Arbor BJJ, is inviting for the 4th Michigam Jiu-Jitsu Gi & NoGi Championship.

It is set to take place January 29th, at the West Middle School, in Ypsilanti.

The event will feature both Gi and No-Gi division for men, women and kids.

Hurry and reserve your spot.

For more info, go to mbjjc.com

Do you own a Jiu-Jitsu academy and want to have your school featured  on GRACIEMAG.com? It’s easy, all you need to do is to become a GMA member. Click here and find out how.

Our GMA member Sean Bansfield, o Ann Arbor BJJ, is inviting for the Michigam Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

It is set to take place January 29th, at the West Middle School, in Ypsilanti.

The event will feature both Gi and No-Gi division for men, women and kids.

Hurry and reserve your spot.

For more info, go to mbjjc.com

Do you own a Jiu-Jitsu academy and want to have your school featured  on GRACIEMAG.com? It’s easy, all you need to do is to become a GMA member. Click here and find out how.

Comprido and Hall close out absolute. Photo: Felipe Pires

Jiu-Jitsu was in evidence this Sunday in Chicago, when a gi-clad army presented arms on the mats of the Chicago Open. Lloyd Irvin was the winning team, followed by Carlson Gracie and Gracie Barra. But in the individual competition, Brasa representative Rodrigo “Comprido” Medeiros stole the show by taking gold in the main division.

Comprido arrived straight from Brazil, where he held some seminars, as previously reported by GRACIEMAG.com. In the ultra heavyweight division the two-time absolute world champion beat Fabiano da Silva (Carlson Gracie). In the absolute Comprido closed out with teammate Ryan Hall. With two medals around his neck, the fighter now heads off to train with UFC champion Brock Lesnar, who is set to defend his title against Cain Velasquez.

Ryan Hall, who closed out the open weight class with Comrido, also came up spades at weight, winning the middleweight division.

Marcos Paulo, Carlos Lemos and Sean Bansfield served Gracie Barra well

In the black belt master division, Carlos “Escorrega” Lemos and Marcos Paulo Barros were the big surprise. After closing out the lightweight division, the duo from Gracie Barra did the same in the absolute.

Teams on the stand at Chicago Open. Photo: Felipe Pires

Brandon: No-Gi champion

GMA member Sean Bansfield is proud of his students.

A team from Ann Arbour Jiu-Jitsu competed last Saturday in Lansing, Michigan, at the Warrior Classic Event.

The school’s website reads: “Noah, Brandon, Christine and Sean competed for the first time ever. I’m proud to say they all returned with Gold medals. Congratulations to the champions and all their teammates who helped them prepare.”

Here are the results:

Christine Zelnik

1st place – Women GI
Won final match by cross collar choke from mount

Brandon Perry
1st place – Men No-GI Medium Heavy Beginner
3rd in GI

Noah Weber
1st place – Men No-GI Heavy Beginner
Won final match by guillotine from the guard; got 3rd in GI

Sean Bansfield
1st place – Men No-GI Absolute

For more info, go to annarborjj.com.

Do you own a Jiu-Jitsu academy and want to have your school featured  on GRACIEMAG.com? It’s easy, all you need to do is to become a GMA member. Click here and find out how.

Liberty Street, downtown Ann Arbour

Ann Arbour is a town in the greater Dretroit area, in Michigan.

It is famous for being the home of the University of Michigan, one of the most traditional schools in the USA.

Its fans are used to chant “Go Blue!” during the sports events.

Now, the GMA has arrived to the city.

Ann Arbour BJJ is lead by Sean Bansfield, a 1st degree black belt.

Welcome to the GMA.

For more info, go to annarborjj.com.