Inside the University 531 - Proper Framing from Half Guard

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Now Saulo focuses on the proper framing techniques to use while on bottom in half guard. Rather than trying to push his opponent away with his hands, he turns to his side, making a block with his shoulder and letting his hand on the ground. From here, he can bridge and bring his arm out to make an underhook. Another option is to frame both hands on the biceps, and hip escape to create the space needed to recover guard.

Inside the University 530 - Bridging Mechanics from Half Guard

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Correcting a couple mistakes he saw his students making, Saulo shows not to put your hook leg too deep in the half guard. This mistake will keep you from being able to escape your hips as much as you need to create the space to recover guard. Also, it is important when you bridge that you don't throw your arm over the top of your opponent's head. Keep it on the nearside for better leverage and control.

Inside the University 529 - Bridge Escape from Half Guard

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Saulo is on bottom in half guard, and his opponent has the underhook and head control, which is the worst spot he can be in now. First, Saulo hooks his opponent's leg with his inside leg, rather than crossing his legs and locking himself flat. Next he makes sure his elbow is tight to his ribs. Now he pushes off his outside foot to bridge, and uses the inside of his other elbow to push the top of the head to the inside. Here he can bring his knee inside across the hips, and push to extend his body, creating the space he needs to recover his guard.

Inside the University 462 - Framing and Protecting Your Space

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Touching on the concept of personal space, Xande explains the importance of framing and not letting your opponent's close the distance. The more he's pressuring you while on top, the more uncomfortable you will be, so create space with your hips and place your frames to keep him at a distance.

Inside the University 461 - Escaping the Half Guard Smash

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Xande's opponent is on top in his half guard with the underhook and a heavy shoulder, smashing Xande. His first reaction is to kind of punch his opponent's face with his biceps as he escapes his hips and gets on his side. Now with his other arm framing at the hip, he pushes his foot off the mat to escape his hips more and pry his top knee inside, and his other leg scissors his opponent's trapped leg. From here he can work to swivel his hips square and replace his full guard.

Inside The University 291 - Replacing Guard when Opponent Smashes Your Z-Guard

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Xande uses the same setup as before to establish the Z-guard, but this time his opponent smashes his legs right away. Xande opens his elbow on the collar grip to make a frame against his opponent's neck, and his other arm posts on the mat. With the help of his bottom leg, Xande is able to escape his hips and replace the guard.

Xande's World Masters and Grand Slam 2016 Review 5 - Defending the Over Under Pass

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Xande continues his review, now talking about the semi-finals fight that he lost, and goes over what he should have done to win his fight. Xande's opponent is attempting to pass with the over under grips, so Xande blocks the over arm, and drops his leg heavy on the other shoulder. He escapes his hips enough so he can sit up and grab his opponent's belt. From here, he reaches over the back to grab the lat, and forces his leg free, landing in the turtle position. In the fight, his opponent was able to sit out and restart the fight standing. What Xande should have done is make the seat belt grip and keep his chest heavy on his opponent, and look to work the crucifix while his leg was still being held.

Inside The University 282 - Taking the Back from Reverse Half Guard

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Xande's opponent again goes to the reverse half guard as he did in the last position, but this time Xande isn't able or comfortable to keep his outside frame, so grabs the belt. When his opponent steps his leg back to pass, Xande uses this moment to escape his hips and attack the back.

Inside The University 281 - Escaping the Reverse Half Guard

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Xande is half guard and blocking with his frames, but now his opponent brings his arm over the top to settle into a reverse half guard position. Xande keeps his frame on the arm in place until he can switch his other hand behind the armpit, and keep his opponent's weight on his elbows. Now he pushes off the mat to escape his hips, and work to replace the full guard.

Xande's Defensive Series 14 - Defending the Knee Cut Pass while Framing on the Hip

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Xande shows another common situation that happens when your opponent is passing with the knee cut. In this case, Xande is not able to block the biceps and his opponent gets his arm under his head, so Xande immediately blocks the hip with his hand. As soon as his opponent passes, Xande drops his elbow between himself and his opponent's hip, and now he can bring his knee to his elbow to work his way back to the guard.

Xande's Defensive Series 13 - Defending the Knee Cut Pass

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Xande continues his defensive series, and now starts covering how he deals with different situations when his opponent is passing his guard. Here he discusses the knee cut pass. Xande's first line of defense is his frames with his arms. He keeps his top arm between his opponent and himself, and his other arm blocks the biceps. The moment his opponent passes, Xande bumps his hips and escapes them so he can bring his knee in to frame. Now he can work to replace the guard.

Xande's Defensive Series 12 - Half Guard Escape when Opponent Controls Under Your Arm

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Xande now covers escaping the half guard when your opponent switches his base toward you and controls under your arm this time. Xande must lock his opponent's leg with his calf, and use his elbows to shimmy his way up and create space to frame. Now he can turn into his opponent and replace the guard as he did previously. Sometimes he is even able to grip the belt, post on his hand and scoot out so he can take the back.