Deep Half Guard from Guard Retention

Deep Half Guard from Guard Retention is a control used to hold and set up the next attack built around a handful of repeatable controls. Bottom player on their back with an opponent kneeling or standing inside their open guard preparing to pass. Another common starting shape: the bottom player is in half guard as the top player picks the trapped knee up off the mat to angle for a knee-cut pass. It is worth attempting once comfortable with: Entering deep half guard against a standing opponent and comfortable with: Deep half guard entry from three quarter mount. The ideas that hold it together are under-the-hip entry, leg hug, and weight loading.

The deep half guard chain is a sequence of small controls, not one athletic burst. Sliding the head under the passer's near hip while shrimping onto the side to create the entry line. Hugging the trapped thigh tightly so the knee is glued to the chest and the passer cannot easily back out. Pulling the passer slightly forward as the entry completes so their weight loads onto the bottom player rather than allowing a posture-up. Settling the bottom shoulder under the passer's hip to create a wedge that supports later sweeps. Follow the lifted knee with the trapped-leg shin so the framing geometry is preserved. If space opens beneath the lifted leg, dive the head under to enter deep half guard. Otherwise, reframe the inside knee against the hip and re-fight for the underhook. Block the knee with the inside hand to prevent it dropping to the mat. Bottom player rotated onto their side, head buried under the opponent's hip, both arms wrapped around the opponent's near thigh in deep half.

Later in the deep half guard, a knee on the floor returns the opponent to a passing posture, constant small adjustments preserve the deep half angle, and the step over is a hip elevation problem — control the hips to prevent it tend to decide whether the position stays on track. Watch for these mistakes: Entering with the head stuck on the wrong side of the hip, allowing the passer to sprawl and crush. Leaving the trapped leg loose, which lets the passer step out and pass over the top. The high-percentage version of deep half guard from guard retention is the one you can still chain when the opponent frames or pummel-wins a grip.