The Kimura armlock is a bread-and-butter move in BJJ, but not many people know that they can use it from on top in the half guard. In this technique Marcio Feitosa shows you how... Marcio (dark gi) is in Marco’s half guard. Marco has his left arm under Marco’s armpit. Marcio encircles Marco’s left arm and … [Read more...]
Half Guard
Americana Arm Lock from Top Half Guard
The Americana or figure-4 armlock is usually thought of being a technique you use from mount or side mount. But here Marcio Feitosa uses it to finish an opponent in the half guard... … [Read more...]
No Gi “Brabo” Choke from Top Half Guard
The Brabo Choke can be a match-ending submission. And one of the best times to apply it is when you're on top in the half guard.. In this technique Marcio finds himself in Marco’s half guard, but without the gi. Marcio wraps his right arm around his opponent’s left arm and cups his head with the other … [Read more...]
“Brabo” Choke with Gi from Top Half Guard
You can attack with this version of the Brabo Choke anytime your opponent is using his half guard from the bottom and is wearing a gi... Marcio (dark gi) is caught in Marco’s (white gi) half guard. Marco is on his side with his left arm under Marcio’s armpit. Marcio free’s Marco’s left lapel, stretching it behind his body… and passes it to his right hand, under Marco’s … [Read more...]
How to Finish the Kimura Armlock from Half Guard
The Kimura armlock is one of the highest percentage submissions from the half guard, but to apply it you have to know how to get your opponent to release his grip on his pants, shorts or thigh. Here's how to break his grip and finish the Kimura! This Jedi mind trick can actually be used for other submissions like the armbar and different leglocks as well. To see the same video of the … [Read more...]
How to Finish the Back Climb from Half Guard
Taking an opponent's back is a fundamental attack from half guard, but once your opponent has been caught in it a few times he will start blocking your back climb. Most typically he will wrap your arm with an overbook, also known as a 'whizzer.' Here's one way of my favorite ways to counter his counter and come out on top and behind your … [Read more...]
Never Get Guillotined Again!
OK, I have to admit that I’m exaggerating with the whole “never get guillotined again” title, but it’s almost true. If you incorporate principle that I’m about to share with into your grappling two things will happen: you’ll tap out to many, many fewer guillotine chokes, and you’ll really increase how often you manage to finish your opponent’s with the same choke. I was very happy when … [Read more...]
Straight From Brazil: A BJJ Half Guard Sweep Using A Belt Grip
This technique is being demonstrated by Oscar Daniotti, a BJJ black belt under Ricardo de la Riva in Brazil. He is the chief editor Faixa Preta Digital, an online BJJ magazine available in both English and Portuguese. … [Read more...]
Straight From Brazil: A Deep Half Guard Sweep Photo Demonstration
This technique is being demonstrated by Oscar Daniotti, a BJJ black belt under Ricardo de la Riva in Brazil. He is the chief editor Faixa Preta Digital, an online BJJ magazine available in both English and Portugese. … [Read more...]
The X Guard Position
The 'X guard' is a position that I've been using a lot recently. Depending on your point of view, it's either a form of the open guard or the half guard, but whatever you call it, it's effective as hell! You end up in X Guard a lot when you use the Butterfly Guard, especially when your opponent posts his foot to stop your sweeps. … [Read more...]
A Glossary of Guards Part 3: The Half Guard
By Stephan Kesting and Elliott Bayev Principal Photography by Keith Haist Originally Published in Ultimate Grappling Magazine This is the third and final article in a series introducing a wide variety of guard positions. … [Read more...]
17 Tips for an Active Bottom Half Guard
These are some important aspects to focus on and remember when it comes to being on the bottom in half guard Don’t just hold on. … [Read more...]
Trapped Flat in Half Guard? Do This!
The half guard can be a powerful attacking position so long as you stay on your side and maintain your mobility. However if your opponent gets his grips, flattens you out and drives all his weight onto you it really sucks. … [Read more...]
Double Threat Attacks from the Bottom Position
In grappling, sometimes a submission can be more than just a submission. Let me explain… There is no shortage of different submission attacks from the bottom position. Most typically you'd attack from the closed guard, open guard or half guard position, but you can also use submissions if you're turtled under your opponent, or even pinned in side mount. Of course if you finish a … [Read more...]
Pulling Guard in MMA
Q: Hello Stephan, I'm a big fan of your website - I've been following it since 2009. I compete in BJJ and No-Gi submission wrestling. I've also been training MMA with hopes of having my first amateur fight within the year. … [Read more...]
Frank Mir’s Kimura on Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140
UFC 140 last Saturday night was one of the best MMA shows in recent memory. There were lots of exciting matchups, but THE fight of the night was the much-anticipated rematch between heavyweights Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira and Frank Mir. This fight displayed the highest level grappling ever seen in the heavyweight division of the UFC! As soon as the match ended I looked at my good friend and … [Read more...]
Podcast EP9: Best Interview Ever? Ryan Hall Speaks his Mind
The Ryan Hall interview is ready, and it might be my best interrogation ever! With more than 200 tournaments, countless superfights, and solid performances in the Mundials and ADCC Ryan is one of North America's most successful and prolific grapplers. As such he's uniquely positioned to give a ton insight into the world of BJJ and submission grappling. Click Play Below to Listen to My … [Read more...]
When the Closed Guard Fails…
A reader writes: Q: Hi Stephan, I recently received and read your email with the video link about the closed guard in the Beginning BJJ newsletter. However my instructor is quite thick and muscular, … [Read more...]
A Drill To Improve ANY Guard Sweep
Today I'm not going to talk about a technique per se. Instead I'm going to share a cool training method with you. (Training methods are the ways in which you practice, hone and internalize the techniques you're learning. … [Read more...]
How The Kneebar Saved The Day!!
Want a an easy way to learn about the kneebar submission? Well the first comicbook style instructional I did was super-popular, so here's my latest creation... The Three Fundamental Kneebars You Need to Know! Check it out - it's 100% free. You'll learn three of the most important kneebar entries in all of grappling. Master these and you'll find learning every other style of kneebar … [Read more...]