The Half Guard is a very powerful position from which to sweep or submit your opponent. But just like all other forms of guard, it’s really important to know how to move your hips and your legs correctly. No movement = no guard!!!
Here’s a half-guard drill that teaches you the basic leg and hip movements to manoeuvre into position to apply your techniques and prevent him from passing your guard. I’ve taught it many times and it’s ALWAYS helped people get a better understanding and more mobility in the half guard.
The funny thing is this drill was the very first video I ever put onto my Youtube channel, way back in 2006. Here’s the new, improved version…
And, for your the record, here’s the original video of the original drill…
The half guard is so much more clamping onto one of your opponent’s legs and then grimly hanging on for dear life. A well-executed half guard actually involves a LOT of movement and transitions (hence the name of one of my earlier instructionals, The Dynamic Half Guard).
The key to not getting stuck on the bottom is knowing HOW to move; here are the leg configurations you’ll be moving between in this drill…
- High Knee Shield, right knee against chest
- Leg Triangle Half Guard, left instep behind right knee
- Half Butterfly Guard, right butterfly hook under thigh
- Recumbent Butterfly Guard, flat on back, both hooks in
- Half Butterfly Guard, left butterfly hook under thigh
- Leg Triangle Half Guard, right instep behind left knee
- Low Knee Shield, left knee in hip
- High Knee Shield, left knee against chest
- Reverse the sequence on the other side.
Half Guard Leg Position Drill, Part 1 of 2
Half Guard Leg Position Drill, Part 2 of 2
I’ve written and filmed quite a bit of resource material on the Half Guard for Grapplearts. Click here to explore all the half guard articles on Grapplearts, or check out some of the related resources below…
Stephan Kesting
RELATED RESOURCES
How to Defend the Leg Weave Guard Pass
When you’re learning BJJ basics you’ve got to become familiar with the most common techniques first – they are the low hanging fruit and also the techniques that you’re going to face most often on the mat. The Leg Weave Guard Pass is one of the most typical ways to pass the guard so you better have a good answer for it!
The 6 Ranges of Half Guard
There are many different variations of half guard, and one way to categorise those variations is by how far away you are from your opponent’s hips. If there’s a big space between your hips and his then you’re at long range. If your hips are very close to his then you’re at short range.
These ranges are important to understand because your attacking and sweeping options, and his guard passing options, change at each range.
Click here for a breakdown of the 6 ranges of half guard as demonstrated by Rob Biernacki…
Elbow-Knee Connection and How to Develop an Unpassable Guard
One of the most important skills in jiu-jitsu is guard retention, or the ability to stop your opponent from passing your guard. Think of guard retention as a toolbox containing a whole bunch of tools to solve the problems your opponent may throw at you.
Of all the many guard retention tools in that toolbox possibly the most universally useful one is something known as ‘elbow-knee connection.
Click here for a breakdown of elbow-knee connection and how to develop it!