After watching the episode the distinction between the two appears to be that if you use an open hand to grab the guard to move it, then it can be illegal, but using a fist to hit the guard out of the way is not.
Gage Laurence
2025-03-06 17:18:19 +0000 UTC
Its not technically an Illegal move to pull a guard out of the way, but it is seen as a dirty move to pull.