18 May 2007 -- Wilson Reis seminar

Mr. Reis was heavy on the half-guard work. Every technique involved half-guard except for one "escape from opponent's closed guard" move.

1. Take down to half-guard: get one collar tie to control opponent, then transition collar tie to underhook on same side. All this clinch work must be kept very tight. With underhook in, use your free arm to underhook opponent's far leg and sit into half-guard locking down opponent's near leg. This will cause an immediate take down while simultaneously limiting opponent's ability to sprawl.
2. Half-guard sweep: This next step is set-up by the half-guard take down. This half-guard is a bit different than the usual half-guard because you already have your opponent's free leg underhooked. Get the guard as tight and compact as possible. Then shrimp out to create space, then bring outside leg back in to sink in butterfly hook and then move hips back into opponent for compactness. At this point take the other leg and hook in to get an X guard on opponent's leg. Use X guard to elevate opponent. This will cause opponent to post with arm to remain balanced. At this point simultaneously overhook opponent's arm and stretch guard and sweep opponent forward and onto back, Then gain side control.
3. 2nd half-guard sweep: This one was very difficult because it required under hooking opponent's locked leg while moving the guard higher toward's opponent's hips. I had too much trouble with this move and feel like it's decidedly a more advanced technique. It just doesn't feel right to me at this point.
4. Esacaping opponent's closed guard: While in opponent's guard under hook one shoulder and gain wrist control of opposite arm pinning it to mat parallel to opponent's body. Walk legs out and up toward opponent's head on side you have arm pinned keeping as much weight and pressure on opponent's torso as possible. Once you are almost perpendicular, take a giant step back with top leg while maintaining pressure and balance--make sureyou still have that underhook secured. At this point take your free arm and press down on opponent's near leg--this will break his guard and allow you to pass with top leg while simultaneously neutralizing that leg. From there, gain side control.

Wilson trains and teaches at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu United in Philadelphia, PA