2 Part Technique - Breaking the Closed Guard is a very important skill and should be practiced diligently. Your opponent will have opportunities to spoil your plans with certain sweeps, but as long as you keep these in mind, you will be able to prevent them from happening. As you look to posture completely up and post your feet flat on the mat, he may look to sweep you overhead by lifting your hips up by his shins. This can be avoided by minding your balance; keep your center of gravity away from ability to lift. If he lifts up with you as you stand, press down on his hips, making him carry all of his weight through his ankles, and be ready to splay open your knees after he lets go. Flaring your knees outward prevents him from reclosing a guard around yours shins, and possible getting a sweep from there. Also, make sure to keep him low as he hangs off of your hips; you do not want him to stand on his feet for any takedowns.