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Half Guard 🚧

Quick Introduction​

Half guard is a versatile position where you control your opponent from bottom using one leg to trap one of their legs. It serves as both a defensive recovery position and an offensive launching platform.

Position Overview​

Station: Guard System

Achieved from: Failed guard pass defense, sweep recoveries, deliberate entries

Leads to: Sweeps to top position, back takes 🚧, submissions, or recovery to full guard

Half Guard Types (3 Main Variations)​

🛡️ Lockdown Half Guard (Control Focus)​

Objective

Maximum leg control and immobilization; prevent opponent from passing; sweep or take back

Main Characteristic

Legs locked in figure-4 around opponent's trapped leg with ankle control

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Trap opponent's leg between both of yours
  2. Triangle your legs (lockdown configuration)
  3. Hook their ankle with your bottom foot
  4. Control their upper body with underhook or whip-up
  5. Create angles for sweeps or back takes

Tactical Advantage

Extremely secure; opponent cannot easily pass; sets up electric chair sweep; popular in no-gi

⚔️ Underhook Half Guard (Offensive)​

Objective

Active sweeping and back-taking position; constant offensive pressure

Main Characteristic

Deep underhook on trapped-leg side with active framing

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Establish half guard with one leg trapped
  2. Secure deep underhook to their back
  3. Other arm frames on their shoulder/bicep
  4. Get to your side (not flat on back)
  5. Drive forward for sweeps or climb for back

Tactical Advantage

Dominant half guard position; direct path to back take; high-percentage sweeps; good for gi and no-gi

🔄 Deep Half Guard (Advanced)​

Objective

Inverted position leading to powerful sweeps; modern half guard development

Main Characteristic

Your head under their hips with legs controlling their trapped leg from underneath

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Start from standard half guard
  2. Dive your head and shoulders under their hips
  3. Control their trapped leg with both of yours
  4. Far arm controls their far leg
  5. Roll or sweep them over you

Tactical Advantage

Powerful sweeping position; opponent has no submission options; requires technical knowledge

Important Observations (General Rules)​

Core Principles​

  1. 🎯 Get to your side - Never stay flat on back in half guard
  2. 💪 Underhook is gold - Battle for the underhook constantly
  3. ⏱️ Active frames - Block their crossface and control space
  4. 🔄 Hip movement - Create angles to prevent flatten-out
  5. 🎮 Variation selection - Choose based on opponent's pressure:
    • Lockdown → Against heavy pressure
    • Underhook → For offensive game
    • Deep Half → Against standing passes

Connection to Theories​

Applying core principles:

  • Hip Control: Your legs control their leg (their mobility)
  • Space Management: Frames prevent them flattening you
  • Underhook Battle: Controls upper body and creates angles

Common Mistakes​

⚠️ Flat on back - Easy to pass and submit

⚠️ No underhook - Opponent controls the fight

⚠️ Static position - Gives them time to establish pass

⚠️ Letting them get crossface - Lose all offense

⚠️ Forgetting to frame - They flatten and pass

⚠️ Not getting to knees - Miss sweep opportunities

🎯 Next Steps​

After mastering half guard:

  1. Develop sweeps → Old school sweep, Homer Simpson, electric chair
  2. Learn escapes → Recover to closed guard 🚧 or get to knees
  3. Study passing → Understand how people pass to better defend

🔗 Related Resources​