I think they are all equally important, but it depends on you focus. Stand up is great but people fall, you could be on the ground already or your partner could pull guard negating your standup game. 

Guard retention is great, but if we follow Chris Haueter we should be on top. If we are on top, isn't it less of a guard and more a position?

If we can't pass we are stuck. If we are stuck our options become smaller and smaller. Less attacks and we might not get to the top. I'd also argue by making guard passing a focus, your retention has to be come better. It the balance. As you learn how to pass guard you learn the weaknesses or how to create the weakness/openings in guard. If you know the weaknesses/opening you'll be better equipped to stop them and have better retention.

Advanced gi/gi study will continue our guard passing block. Frustrated by spider guard? This week we are going to focus on a few ways to pass what can be a challenging/sticky guard. Don't know what spider guard is? Well then this is the perfect time to find out.Don't forget 1 more competition prep class on Sunday 10/5 at 6pm before Tap Cancer Out!

Gary Pond I sense a trend. 

I don't think it is hard. Actually I think it is easier. Gary Pond is right, you really know that person. I think some of my best training has come from when I have a friendship off the mats. These are the people who have a vested interest in you becoming better. 

Additionally, these are the people who know and understand why you are going hard or pushing more. They know your intention vs someone else who might take it as being overly aggressive or mean. 

If nothing else communication is key. If you don't know someone well saying hey I really want to push today, today was a bad day I need a hard roll, I really want to work something or I'm prepping for a comp can go a long way. 

Things can become complicated with resistance.

It's one thing to watch a child perform a move during class, but the dynamic changes when a resisting partner/opponent is added. For the reasons Tyler and Scott mentioned plus there is a good chance that the other person knows what you are doing. These all just keep adding layers, but this is where jiu jitsu helps kids and adults become great problem solvers. 

***Attention everyone competing***

Looking for a little extra work and a solid push. Last night we had 14 people come out for our 6PM competition prep class. This included Professor Kyle sharing some serious knowledge of his take down system. Next week coach Scott will be taking over. Don't miss it! Still time to sign up for the competition, it's less than 3 weeks away.

Gi Study/Advanced will continue our focus on guard passing. Positions are being picked that we may not see a lot in other classes to really sharpen our skills for those competing at Tap Cancer Out. This week we will focus on passing the butterfly guard. Have you ever worked on butterfly guard? If not this is a great time to learn how to pass.

Thanks Scott!

Big week ahead!Advanced gi/gi study moves to Tuesday at 8PM this week! We've spent ALOT of time focus on leg locks and one of my favorite positions to start learning from is single leg X (also know as Ashi or Ashi Garami) and now we need to pass it. We'll take a quick look at single leg X and then dive right into a few passes.But wait there's more!Friday night I'll be covering for John for advance no gi or no gi study. He's been focusing on all things kimura and you'll get my take, most on defense and the strategies I use when people are trying to kimura me.