The Trouble With Spiders!
Has this happened to you?
You're playing Open Guard with double sleeve control. Your hands are controlling both of your opponent's sleeves, and your feet have the task of pushing against your opponent's hips, shoulder or armpit while your opponent moves.
Sounds easy, right?
no problem..
Right?
All goes well until you notice your hands feel funny. Shortly followed by tension in your forearms.
You have 3 minutes left on the clock, and your hands are officially getting tired. As your grips weaken, your opponent becomes more mobile making it harder for your feet to keep in place.
Suddenly your opponent slips around 1 of your legs,
And now your Spider Guard is PASSED!
Bummer.
If this happens to you regularly, Here is why.
There are 3 important details about Spider Guard to recognize..
1. Spider guard is a great guard, but keep in mind its success is based on a push and pull motion.
Push with your feet, pull with your hands.
2. Your primary connection with your opponent is almost entirely dependent on your hand grips.
Need an example?
Try playing Spider guard with a sprained finger.
Your feet push, but don't necessarily connect you to your opponent.
3. Spider Guard is a distance game allowing space. In some cases requiring space for the guard player to transition.
That is where the problems begin.
The more space your opponent has, the more your opponent is able to move, and the more your opponent moves, the more physical your match becomes.
If you are up against a more physical and explosive opponent, you're picking 1 of the harder games to play.
Long story short..
Get a little closer, and don't play a game that depends so much on the grip Strength of your hands.
There are easier ways to play.
Especially when against a very explosive opponent.
