Key Takeaways
- A two-part No-Gi BJJ DVD presenting an updated version of the EMU guard.
- Delivers the concept of playing open ‘closed’ guard while sticking to proven fundamentals.
- Contains guard sweeps, reversals, transitions, and counters against standing opponents.
- BJJ World Expert Rating: 8 out of 10.
EMU GUARD 2.0 BENJAMIN POWER DVD GET HERE
The question of the best guard for No-Gi is on that pops up constantly. I doubt we’ll get a definitive answer but let’s use common sense – if something works for self-defense, it should work in any type of BJJ setting, regardless of attire.
Distance is another aspect that’s also always going to spark debate, given that both close and far-distance guards make a lot of sense. The EMU Guard 2.0 Benjamin Power DVD is going to provide those who prefer far-distance guards with effective solutions for standing passers, and those who dislike them with something to hate. Perfect for either camp.
Guards That Work in MMA
Eddie Bravo was the first (I am aware of) to decide to focus on building a guard specifically tailored for MMA. He managed to do it, and we got the Rubber Guard and all its variations as a result. The thing with the Rubber Guard is that it requires a certain degree of flexibility and works from close proximity, inspired by an old-school closed guard.
In MMA terms, it is better to completely take away the option of striking, while controlling distance in a way that allows you to safely stand up if you want to. Some glimpses of guards that offer these come in the form of De la Riva guard variations, especially the RDLR, but they’ve never really been touted as MMA guards too much.
Many of the great minds in the BJJ world, such as Firas Zahabi and John Danaher have used versions of these guards to force people to stay standing, whether it is for MMA or BJJ purposes. When striking is involved, ti si much smarter to keep the distance, and a bunch of options open, rather than constrict yourself to close proximity guards.
The EMU Guard 2.0 Benjamin Power DVD covers an innovative way of playing the De la Riva guards, primarily with practical application in mind. We already know it works, as this is the second edition of this instructional, but what we don’t know (yet) is what Ben decided to improve.
Down Under’s SBG Leader Benjamin Power
I’ve always been a fan of the philosophy that the SBG gym has in its approach to BJJ. Many of the folks there, such as Matt Thornton, Jon Frankl, and Stephen Whittier have helped me shape up huge chunks of my game over the years.
A person I had never heard of before within the first EMU Guard Benjamin Power DVD was Ben Power, the SBG head coach in Australia. With over 25 years of martial arts experience, Power (what a powerful name), has done it all, from Muay Thai, through MMA all the way to settling down in Jiu-Jitsu since the early 2000s.
Earning his black belt way back in 2008, Benjamin is very keen on the fundamentals that make BJJ tick and has devoted his entire career in the Gentle art to perfecting them. Given SBG’s propensity towards conceptual Jiu-=Jitsu, he fits perfectly in their model.
Before we delve deeper into the contents of the EMU Guard 2.0 Benjamin Power DVD, let’s just also mention that Ben is a certified physiotherapist, which, combined with his two-decades-long BJJ experience makes his opinions on grappling super valuable to hear.
Detailed EMU Guard 2.0 Benjamin Power DVD Review
The EMU Guard Benjamin Power DVD is a two-part Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructional that contains just under 2 hours of material that delivers an in-depth analysis of the EMU guard. It is presented in No-Gi, but works perfectly for any setting whether it is Gi, MMA, or even self-defense.
Part 1 – Attaching and Sweeping
The EMU Guard 2.0 Benjamin Power DVD begins with an overview of what Benjamin delivered in the first rendition of this instructional, which not only refreshes our knowledge on the subject but also provides those new to it with everything they need to use this 2.0 version immediately.
After covering a few entries and the basics of the guard itself, as well as why he refers to it as the ‘closed’ open guard, all of Power’s focus shifts towards disrupting balance which can only mean one thing – sweeps. The DLR combo guard offers sweeps in many directions, with the first bunch being backside tilts.
From essential tripod sweeps to babybolo combos that lead to the ‘kneemu’ sweep, this part of the instructional really delivers some great sweeping options for both Gi and No-Gi. The material professes towards another updated aspect of the guard which is the Rabbit trap control, and you don’t want to miss out on that one!
Part 2 – Transitions and Counters
Even though the second part of the EMU Guard 2.0 Benjamin Power DVD features more transitions, it still has a hefty dose of sweeps, this time set up from the Rabbit Trap. A sideways version of the guard also appears here, providing an easy route towards the back and/or leg locks.
Forward tilts ensure lots of opponent reactions in case they don’t work all the way as sweeps, which sets u another aspect of Power’s guard game – counterattacks. Effectively, these are re-counters, seeing as you attack first and then respond to the opponent’s reaction.
Nonetheless, they work, offering a great bridge between the back and front side sweeps and the sneaky inversions sprinkled all over the Emu Guard system. A few MMA-specific scenarios and adjustments bring this DVD to a close, along with a comparison to other guards that are ‘almost Emu’.
The ‘Closed’ Open Guard
Oxymorons like this really make me enjoy BJJ a lot more than I already do. To be honest, somehow, Ben Power really made the ‘Closed’ Open Guard work and make sense.
The foundation of his system is the De la Riva guard, which is an open guard. However, what happens if you cross your legs while playing an open guard? Does it become a closed guard? Zahabi’s RDLR lockdown works in a similar fashion and is super effective as well.
Power’s rendition of this concept is to blend the DLR and RDLR guards into a hybrid guard that somehow features both of them at once, along with the fact that it is an open ‘closed’ guard. The weirdest thing is that it works, and has a much broader application than Zahabi’s defensive-minded, leglock-oriented RDLR lockdown.
The EMU Guard 2.0 Benjamin Power DVD is a great resource, but it won’t find the mind of BJJ purists, which is great for the rest of us who love things that work.
DOWNLOAD HERE: EMU GUARD 2.0 BENJAMIN POWER DVD
Take ‘Em Down Under!
In No-Gi, keeping people at a leg’s length is extremely smart. It turns out, that ti is a good strategy for Gi, MMA, and every other aspect of grappling as well. The EMU Guard 2.0 Benjamin Power DVD covers not just how to keep the distance, but also stay attached in a way that lets you attack when you want and in different directions. It is a high-level guard that works based on fundamentals and seems to be the best answer to engaging standing opponents so far.
Reverse De la Riva Guard – The Best DVD and Digital Instructionals
Reverse De la Riva Guard – The Best DVD and Digital Instructionals
