BJJ Pathfinder
Illustration of half guard from the bottom: the player in orange lies underneath with one of their opponent's legs trapped between theirs
Position 03 / 11

Half guard

One of their legs is trapped between yours. Get on your side, win the underhook, and don't get flattened.

What do you want to do?

12 moves
SubmissionsKimura from half guard2 videosSweepsOld-school sweep · Underhook to come up · Deep half waiter sweep · +19 videosTransitionsRecover full guard · Deep half entry4 videosBack takesUnderhook to back take · Deep half back take4 videosControlsKnee shield frame · Getting the underhook6 videosDefencesPreventing the crossface / flattening2 videos

About Half guard, bottom

Half guard is where many guard passes stall, and it is a strong place to fight from if you get it right. With one of their legs trapped you can stop the pass, recover full guard, sweep them or come up to their back.

Everything depends on not getting flattened. Turn onto your side, win the underhook and keep your head off the mat. Get those two things and the sweeps (the old school, the knee lever, the deep half entry) start to work. Lose them and you are fighting to survive.