As the progression of BJJ involved a mixture of different guards, the collar sleeve guard is no exception. The configuration of legs can be a mix of Dela Riva, Spider, Lasso, Reverse Dela Riva, and at times a combination of both Dela Riva and Spider.
Before we dive deeper into the possible sweeps and submissions that come from the collar sleeve position, it is important to understand its configuration. As the name suggests, you have one sleeve and one collar control. The sleeve is usually the same side sleeve. However, Jon Thomas developed the Vice Guard which is technically a collar sleeve variation but with a cross grip sleeve rather than a same side sleeve grip.
The grip on the collar can either be a cross collar grip or a same side grip. For those playing berimbolo, it becomes easier to drive an opponent’s hip on the mat using a cross collar grip while it is easier to get an opponent’s weight off if you have a same side grip. However, it is more of a preference and different players will give you different answers.
Finding Triangles and Omoplatas
One of the things that makes a collar sleeve guard a good offensive guard is because of the sleeve grip that can isolate one arm or shoulder away from the passer’s body. And two, you have the collar grip that controls the posture. When used properly, it becomes easier to hit an omoplata or a triangle from this guard.
There are different ways on how you can setup a triangle or an omoplata from the collar sleeve guard. However, one of the basic ways to do it is by starting from collar sleeve grips with a Dela Riva Hook. From the Dela Riva Hook, it is important to keep the opponent’s posture hunched over. You will have to also pull the sleeve grip to the point where the opponent’s elbow and knee are no longer connected.
To hit the omoplata straight from the Dela Riva hook can be tricky because you don’t get to separate the arm and the knee completely especially against a more experienced opponent. However, what you can do is to remove the hook and step your foot on the opponent’s hip creating a wedge between the elbow and the knee.
The next move is to lift your hip up further creating a separation between the knee and the elbow of your opponent. This will allow you to switch to an omoplata by getting your foot that was wedged on the hip over the shoulder of your opponent. By keeping the collar grip, it becomes harder for the opponent to posture up to remove the omoplata. There are different ways on how to finish the omoplata from here especially when your opponent concedes the position by kneeling.
The next setup is the triangle from the collar and sleeve. Since you can find the omoplata, it also goes to show that there’s a chance to sink in a quick triangle against a passer from the collar sleeve guard. If you already have the omoplata and your opponent is stubborn, you can always swing the other leg and go for a triangle. However, it can be a different setup altogether.
To set up the collar sleeve to a triangle, the non-Dela Riva leg will have to step on the bicep of your opponent while maintaining a collar sleeve guard. It is typical for a guard passer to hold on to your pant once you have control of his or her bicep using your foot. This will also make it easier for you to lift your hip. The other leg will then step on the hip as well to create a separation between the knee and the elbow. And get the triangle from here.
Collar Sleeve Lasso Attacks
There are instances when the opponent will move both feet away from you when you have the collar sleeve guard. This stance leaves the guard player prone to toreana passes. Plus, you don’t have your Dela Riva hook to keep our opponent in your center. A good alternative in this situation is to use a lasso. It can be a deep or it can be a shallow lasso.
However, a deep lasso can be a more offensive option. By having a deep lasso, you can attack the omoplata just by switching your grip from the sleeve going to the opponent’s tricep. This allows you to go deeper and get the arm to go pass your knee line.
If you decide to put your other foot on the bicep, you can also sink in a quick triangle instead of an omoplata once you switch your grip from the sleeve to the tricep.
Balloon Sweep
One of the perks of collar sleeve guard is that it is a good option to control the opponent’s posture. When combined with a Dela Riva guard, it becomes easier to guide the person to put his or her weight towards you. This is why it is also a good setup for a tomoe nage or a balloon sweep.
To set up the balloon sweep, the non-Dela Riva leg will be stepping by the hip to push the opponent forward. Once the opponent pushes back, you will have to pull back with the collar and retract your knee to your chest. At the same time, you want to maintain your Dela Riva hook. It is safe to sweep the opponent to the side where you control the sleeve.
What makes balloon sweep a good option is that you can land in a sweep or even collect the mount points if you were able to backroll properly and end up in mount position. And if you feel that the opponent has a good cartwheel, you can also reset to a much safer guard and go for a closed guard. All you need to do is to throw the opponent up in the air, and once you feel that he or she is posting on the other arm, you can trap the hip with your legs and land in a closed guard.