BJJ position
Half guard
Half guard is the position where the bottom player controls one of the opponent's legs between their own legs. It sits between guard and a passed position, and it can go either way. Played flat on your back, it is a step away from being passed. Played on your side with an underhook or a knee shield, it is one of the best sweeping and back-taking positions in the sport. The top player wants to flatten the bottom player, control the head and free the trapped leg to complete the pass.
Add half guard to your map
Free, no sign-up needed. Save your own clips and notes for every technique.
If you're on the bottom
- Stay on your side and get the underhook on the trapped-leg side
- Use a knee shield to keep distance when you can't get the underhook
- Come up to your knees, sweep, or take the back when the opponent reacts
If you're on top
- Win the underhook battle and flatten the bottom player
- Control the head with a crossface
- Free your leg with a knee slice, a backstep or by stepping over to mount
Key details
- The underhook decides who wins: fight for it before anything else
- Keep your head higher than the top player's when you are underneath
- Lock your feet or triangle your legs so the trapped leg can't slide out
- On top, block the underhook with a whizzer or a shoulder before passing
Common mistakes
- Lying flat on your back with your head on the mat
- Holding the leg tightly and doing nothing else
- On top: driving forward without controlling the near arm, which hands over the underhook
Related positions
Add half guard to your map
Free, no sign-up needed. Save your own clips and notes for every technique.