Marcelo espouses the need for learning how to construct shortened frames: Building back into a proper defensive posture when presented with a less than ideal situation can prove quite troublesome if you do not have an effective response available; understanding how to create small pockets of breathing room can help combat your opponent's advance and grant oneself a much needed reprieve from surmounting pressure. Connect your arms together in a way that preserves the space in between them; almost as if applying the Fig.-4 of the traditional Mata-Leão finish for the Rear-Naked Choke, but reversing the direction of pressure so that the 'neck' inside your looped arms is protected rather than throttled. While forming the brace, it is important to not let your opponent take advantage of your opening elbows; try to keep them close to your torso so that your opponent cannot find a way to push them father away from your body and place you in an even worse position. Slowly, but also urgently, ward off your opponent's top-pressure until you have enough volume created so that you can turn onto your side and allow the structure of your shoulders to help bear the load from above.