Technique question.. please read

[AKIRA SHOJI]

FROM THE KNEES-Just sit on your ass like you are doing the butterfly stretch. Man people hate that, but it works, when he tries to pass use your open guard to try and sweep him, when he defends the sweeps put him in the closed guard. Or just do this, right before you start say do you mind if I work my closed guard, and start from there. After a couple of minutes let him put you in his.

[Jaguar Wong]

Originally posted by guardman
if you worry too much about opponents passing than you will not grow. its time to work open guard rather than closed guard. this will get your guard to and offensive level rather than defensive. the key to an offensive guard are sweeps. learn them learn them well. drill them go for sweeps. the first time you try sweeping you will get passed but thereafter you will be proficient. it is natural for your guard to be defensive at first. it is a natural step. but eventuall you will have to open your guard and attack. [/B]

This is some good solid advice. I just learned the hard way that tyring to hold the closed guard instead of transitioning to an open guard for a submission, or a sweep will just delay the inevitable passing of your guard. Then you have even less control of the situation. I started opening my guard up to put my feet on their hips, and sometimes my knees on their shoulders (sort of a modified spider guard) while hooking their arms at the elbows. It gets my opponents thinking and sometimes I can get a nice armbar or triangle from it, but we're all still pretty inexpereinced at this game, so against the more expereinced guys, I just use my feet to push them back and try to get away from them

Anyhoo, from the spider guard (I roll without a Gi, cause it's more of a casual group, not an official school) I have a hard time controling their arms without any sleeves to hold onto, and what happens a lot is someone will either pass the guard by throwing my leg over their head, or they just take the achilles/ankle lock, and I'm tappin' faster than Gregory Hiens. I'm wondering if the spider guard is even an option when rolling without a Gi, and if it is, how would you do it better (besides just practicing it )

[dan downard]

The closed guard is NOT the essence of Jiu Jitsu.It is the last resort to defend yourself when losing badly.It is the LAST place you want to be.The open guard has many more subs and mobility to sweep and defend.Anyone can wrap their legs together and hold on for dear life.
I would suggest the Rick Williams/Bob Bass tapes for you.
And get those feet into the crook of thier arms in your spider guard.Hold the wrist and control the arms with your feet.