2 Part Technique - You will be more at risk to leg attacks if you leave your feet and legs loose with no control in the Open Guard. If the opponent grabs your ankle, immediately twist your heal inwards to escape the first variation of ...

2 Part Technique - Since wearing the gi provides greater friction for holding onto a postion, slipping out of a leglock attempt will be much more difficult than in nogi. Luckily, the kimono also makes it much easier to close the distan...

2 Part Technique - If your opponent makes a serious effort to try to control your feet and ankles, it's probably an indication that he will attempt to transition for a leglock. As soon as you sense this danger, kick yourself free befor...

3 Part Lesson — Marcelo explains his preemptive tactics against fallaway footlocks: [I] The Butterfly Guard (Seated/Upright Open Guard) affords the guard player the best chance of evading and escaping attacks to your legs. If your oppo...

3 Part Technique - Keep your feet strong and controlled against the opponent's body, because playing Open Guard with loose feet exposes yourself to foot locks. Place your foot against the opponent's hip to keep distance and attack with...

2 Part Lesson - Marcelo explains how to protect your legs by immediately answering and escaping against the opponent's lower body attacks.

3 Part Lesson — Marcelo avoids leglocks: [I] Hide your feet as hooks between your opponents legs, control his sleeves, or sit up to play Seated Butterfly Guard to prevent your opponent from setting up an attack on your foot. If you nee...

2 Part Lesson - Answer the opponent's attacks towards your feet by recognizing his intentions and hand fighting away his grips. Use this principal to defeat all leg attacks, from Braulio and Victor's Estima Lock, to traditional toe hol...

2 Part Lesson -- Marcelo escapes straight anklelocks: If your opponent falls back for a leglock against your guard, especially in a situation where you arrive back to your guard after having recovered from a previous exchange, sit up a...

3 Part Lesson -- Marcelo warns his students about the dangers inherent to playing from or against the 50/50 Guard: When you practice the Tilt Sweep from the Seesaw-Position, make sure to clear your entangled leg towards the outside so ...

Lesson Part 2 of 2 -- Marcelo concludes his lesson with a drill: The easiest sweep you can get is one where your opponent sweeps themselves; take advantage of the opportunity to rise up and collect two points whenever your opponent fal...

Lesson Part 1 of 2 -- Marcelo avoids letting his opponent gain an advantage from a Botinha: Don't let your opponent fully extended their body once they've captured your ankle for the Straight Foot-Lock; while you may not tap to the sub...

Lesson Part 3 of 4 -- Marcelo escapes from the "Crossed" Foot-Lock: If your opponent crosses your ankle into their opposite side armpit, i.e. contralaterally, and falls back for the Straight Ankle-Lock submission, do your utmost to sit...