It's always better to be well rounded so I would definitely develop your guard. Work on using the knee shield and hip movement. Also work a couple of different styles of open guard because its always better to open your guard if you feel like your going to get opened anyway. I don't know what others think of this training strategy, but I had a pretty solid purple belt tell me that as a white belt he only focused on keeping guys from passing. Once his guard became very hard to pass he started going for submissions that he had been drilling. Also hip movement cannot be overstated being flat on your back is an invitation to be passed.
To be honest, I'm a 2 stripe blue belt right now and I still get passed VERY easily, but Im way better than I used to be. It really doesnt matter where you start from as long as you practice working out of all your positions. I love to work off of my back, but I need to keep my top game so I switch it up. It is easier to start in the guard though because otherwise youre just kinda sitting there while youre getting attacked (if youre brand new).
"The more you sweat in training the less you bleed in battle"
"To conquer without risk is to triumph without pride"
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At my school the beginners class will generally start from guard and than the partners will switch. After that you roll from the knees or standing but I think beginners should try to balance the two equally.
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