Half Guard Survival

When you're in trouble at the bottom of half guard. Defensive frames, recovering teh underhook, & using sweeps to reverse bad positions

Flow outline

  1. Half Guard Bottom

    • Once set, you're stuck on bottom in half guard. is a dangerous spot if you don't act. first priority: create space and frames. don't let them flatten you out. look for underhooks or frames immediately

  2. Kimura

    • If it shows up, When you have a frame on their far shoulder, attack Kimura. is both a submission threat and a way to create sweeping opportunities. Control their posture first. Don’t force it

  3. Deep Half Guard

    • Once set, often from underhook, transition deep under their hips. gets you out of pressure and sets up multiple sweeps. keep your head tight to their hip. timing over strength

  4. Half Guard Underhook Sweep

    • If they frame, with underhook secured, use classic underhook sweep. bridge into them, control their far leg, and come on top. is fundamental survival. switch if it stalls

  5. Toe Tuck Sweep

    • Usually From underhook, control their far foot and sweep them over. Great when they're posting with that leg. Keep your underhook tight

  6. Coyote Half Guard

    • Transition to coyote half from underhook. creates space and sets up roll under sweep. Control their leg with your outside hook. Timing over strength

  7. Half Butterfly

    • Key detail: from half guard bottom, insert butterfly hook. creates elevation and sweeping options. don't let them smash your butterfly hook. angle matters

  8. Dogfight Sweep

    • Once set, from underhook, come up to dogfight position. control their far leg and sweep. is high percentage when you get underhook

  9. Roll Under Sweep

    • Most of the time From underhook, roll under them to come on top. Great when they're heavy on top. Keep your underhook deep

  10. Kimura Sweep

    • Quick note: From framing far shoulder, use Kimura grip to sweep. Control their posture and roll them over. turns defense into offense

  11. John Wayne Sweep

    • Most of the time From knee shield, use John Wayne sweep. Frame with knee shield, then roll them over. Keep your frames strong

  12. Half Butterfly Sweep

    • From here, From half butterfly, use butterfly hook to elevate and sweep. Control their posture with your frames

  13. Take The Back

    • Once set, if it shows up, from underhook, transition to take their back. is ultimate escape from half guard. control their far arm and hip

  14. Overhead Sweep

    • From here, often from knee shield, use overhead sweep. frame with knee shield, then roll them overhead. great when they're leaning forward. don’t force it

  15. Modified X Guard Sweep

    • Quick note: From knee shield, transition to modified X guard and sweep. Control their far leg and elevate. Timing over strength

  16. Arm Drag

    • Usually From knee shield, arm drag to take back or sweep. Control their arm and hip in. Switch if it stalls

  17. Three Quarter Mount

    • You're in 3/4 mount - is bad. Immediate priority: create frames and recover guard. Don't let them settle

  18. Waiter Sweep

    • Often From 3/4 mount, use waiter sweep to reverse. Control their arm and hip out. gets you out of immediate danger. Don’t force it

  19. Single Leg X Guard

    • From half butterfly, transition to SLX. gets you out of pressure and sets up sweeps or leg locks. Control their far leg

  20. SLX Sweep

    • If they frame, from slx, use standard slx sweep. elevate and come on top. control their posture. don’t force it

  21. Ankle Lock

    • from here, from slx sweep position, attack ankle lock. is a submission option when sweep is defended

  22. Reverse De La Riva

    • When opponent goes for knee cut, transition to RDLR. stops their pass and creates sweeping opportunities. Control their far leg

  23. Lockdown

    • Most of the time When flattened, use lockdown to create space. Stretch them out and look for frames. Don't stay here long

  24. Triangle

    • Once set, from overhook, attack triangle. is a submission threat from bottom. control their posture first

  25. Omoplata

    • Once set, from overhook, attack omoplata. another submission option when you have overhook

  26. Waiter Sweep

    • From here, From deep half, use waiter sweep. Control their arm and hip out to come on top

  27. Roll Over Sweep

    • From here, quick note: from coyote half, use roll over sweep. control their leg and roll them over

  28. Elevator Sweep

    • when it happens, from deep half, use elevator sweep. elevate with your legs and come on top

  29. Recover Half Guard

    • From here, from 3/4 mount, recover back to half guard. gets you out of immediate danger. create frames and reguard

Branch conditions