Guard retention in BJJ and no gi grappling is usually thought of as defense but having an attacking offense can be one of the best ways to defend your guard from being passed and keep your opponent a step behind.
If you have an attacking offense where you constantly make your opponent defend and react to you. If you can get your opponent reacting to your movements you will have a much easier time with guard retention and are better able to dictate the pace of the match. Recovering guard will become much easier than only focusing on defense.
To do this effectively, you don't need to do anything crazy or make large high-risk movements (i.e. flying triangles). Using small and simple push, pulls, collar ties (pulling the head down) can be enough to start getting your opponent occupied with their base or protecting their limbs or head. You see this a lot in high level competition matches and usually the one that is getting there opponent to react, has a better chance at getting ahead and winning the match.
If the opponent does not react to your attack, follow through on it. For example, if you push them and they don't post or address your push by removing it then continue to take them down in the direction of the push.