What is Half Guard and How Do I Use It?
Quick Answer: Half guard is when you have one of your opponent's legs trapped between yours. It's a versatile position that can be used both defensively (to recover full guard) and offensively (for sweeps and back takes).
The Short Answer
Half guard is when you have one of your opponent's legs trapped between yours. It's a versatile position that can be used both defensively (to recover full guard) and offensively (for sweeps and back takes).
Understanding Half Guard
Half guard sits between full guard and getting your guard passed. Many beginners end up here when their closed guard gets broken, but don't understand how to use it.
The position has evolved significantly. What was once considered a "last ditch" position is now a complete game with multiple sub-variations.
Key Half Guard Positions
Knee Shield Half Guard
Your top knee creates a frame against their chest/shoulder. This is the most defensive variation and helps you create distance.
Deep Half Guard
You're underneath your opponent, controlling their trapped leg high. This is a sweep-heavy position.
Lockdown Half Guard
Your legs figure-four around their trapped leg in a specific way that stretches them out. Made famous by Eddie Bravo's 10th Planet system.
Z-Guard
Your top leg creates a "Z" shape, with your shin across their hip. Great for attacking leg locks and creating angles.
Essential Concepts
The Underhook Battle
In half guard, the underhook is king. If you get the underhook, you can come up to your knees, take the back, or sweep. If they get the underhook, they can flatten you and pass.
Fight for the underhook constantly.
Staying on Your Side
Never lie flat on your back in half guard. You become a doormat. Stay on your side, hip out, and keep your frames active.
Controlling the Head
If you can't get the underhook, controlling their head and keeping it low reduces their passing power.
Basic Sweeps
Old School Sweep
Underhook, get to your knees, drive forward while blocking their far leg. Classic and effective.
Plan B Sweep
When they base with their arm to stop the Old School, switch to the Plan B and come up the other side.
Deep Half Entry to Sweep
Dive underneath them, control the far leg, and use leverage to sweep them over.
Recovering Full Guard
Sometimes the best move from half guard is to recover full guard:
- Create distance with frames
- Shrimp your hips away
- Extract your trapped leg
- Re-establish closed guard
Common Mistakes
Flat on Back
The cardinal sin. Stay on your side!
No Underhook
If you're not fighting for the underhook, you're losing.
Passive Legs
Your legs should be active - controlling, squeezing, creating angles. Not just holding.
Making Half Guard Your Game
Many world champions have built their game around half guard. It's worth dedicating training time to because you'll end up there often, whether you want to or not.
RELATED QUESTIONS
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How Do I Break Someone's Closed Guard?
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