BJJ Pathfinder
Illustration of half guard from the top: the player in orange is on top with one leg trapped between their opponent's legs
Position 03 / 11

Half guard

You have one leg trapped. Flatten them with a crossface and underhook, then free your leg and pass.

What do you want to do?

8 moves
SubmissionsKimura from half guard top · Arm triangle from half guard3 videosPassesKnee slice · Knee-to-mount · Tripod / backstep pass6 videosControlsCrossface and underhook, flatten them2 videosDefencesOld-school sweep defence · Kneebar / leg-lock awareness4 videos

About Half guard, top

From the top of half guard you are halfway past the legs. Finish the pass and you score 3 points and reach side control or mount. Your opponent will try to get on their side, take the underhook and sweep you.

Win the upper body first: crossface, your own underhook, chest heavy on theirs. A flat opponent can't sweep. Then free your trapped leg with a knee slice, a backstep or by walking it out, and settle into side control before you look for anything else.