Deep Half Guard

Deep Half Guard is a specialized variation of Half Guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where the bottom player positions themselves deeply under the opponent's hips and legs, controlling their base while being largely protected from attacks. This position is highly effective for sweeping larger or more aggressive opponents, as it focuses on utilizing leverage and angles rather than brute strength.

Key Features of Deep Half Guard

Body Position

  • You are positioned under the opponent, with your head near their hip and your torso aligned under their center of gravity.
  • One of their legs is controlled tightly between your legs, while the other is accessible for gripping or blocking.

Control Points

  • Secure the opponent’s trapped leg with your arms and maintain pressure on their hips to limit their mobility.
  • Use your legs to keep their trapped leg in place while preventing them from stepping out or regaining posture.

Posture

  • Stay tight to the opponent’s leg and avoid exposing your head or arms to attacks like Darce Choke or Kimura.

Common Objectives of Deep Half Guard

Deep Half Guard is an excellent position for those seeking to neutralize stronger opponents, create sweeps, and control the tempo of a match through precision and technique. It emphasizes the core principles of leverage, weight distribution, and hip movement.

Sweeps

  • Deep Half Guard is primarily used for sweeps, as the position naturally destabilizes the opponent’s base and makes them vulnerable to being toppled.

Transitions

  • You can transition to dominant positions like Side Control or Mount after completing a sweep.

Defensive Play

  • Deep Half Guard offers a safe zone where the opponent’s submission opportunities are limited, allowing you to reset or regain control of the match.

Common Sweeps from Deep Half Guard

Old School Sweep

  • Control the trapped leg, extend it outward, and roll the opponent over to take top position.

Homer Simpson Sweep

  • Rock side to side under their base to destabilize them, then use momentum to roll them over.

Waiter Sweep

  • Elevate their leg on your shoulder, tip their balance backward, and come on top.

Backdoor Sweep

  • Use the opponent’s pressure forward to slip out behind them, transitioning to their back or top position.

Transitions from Deep Half Guard

To X Guard

  • Elevate their trapped leg and create space to transition your Hooks into the X Guard configuration.

To Leg Lock Entries

To Closed Guard

  • If the opponent stands, you can disengage and transition back to Closed Guard for safety.

Submissions from Deep Half Guard

Kneebar

  • Isolate their leg during a sweep attempt and extend it for the Kneebar.

Calf Slicer

  • Trap their leg with your arms and use pressure to attack their calf.

Straight Ankle Lock

  • Transition from the sweep attempt into a secure leg-locking position.

Defending Deep Half Guard (for the opponent)

Counter Pressure

  • Use heavy hips to prevent movement and stabilize your base.

Leg Pummeling

  • Free your trapped leg by circling it out of the bottom player’s control.

Crossface Pressure

  • Apply a Crossface to flatten the bottom player and disrupt their ability to create sweeps.

Tips for Effective Deep Half Guard

  • Stay close to their hips and avoid letting them sprawl or disengage.
  • Maintain strong control over their leg, using both arms and legs to anchor yourself.
  • Use small adjustments and angles to create off-balancing opportunities for sweeps.

Advancing Deep Half Guard

Deep Half Guard is a versatile position offering numerous sweeps, transitions, and setups for submissions while allowing the bottom player to negate the size and strength advantage of their opponent.

Transitions from Deep Half Guard

To X Guard

  • Elevate the opponent’s trapped leg with your hooks and hands, creating enough space to reposition your legs into the X Guard.

To Back Control

  • Slip behind your opponent by rotating under their hips during a sweep attempt, using momentum to take their back.

To Closed Guard

  • Release their trapped leg, adjust your hips, and pull them into Closed Guard if they stand up.

To Single-Leg X Guard

Submissions from Deep Half Guard

Kneebar

  • Extend their trapped leg during a sweep attempt, securing their knee and applying pressure to finish.

Calf Slicer

  • Fold their leg tightly using your control, then apply pressure with your forearm or shin to attack their calf.

Straight Ankle Lock

  • Use the leg control from Deep Half Guard to isolate their ankle and transition into a leg lock position.

Sweeps from Deep Half Guard

Old School Sweep

  • Control the trapped leg tightly, extend it, and roll toward their base, using momentum to land on top.

Waiter Sweep

  • Elevate their leg onto your shoulder, tip their weight backward, and come on top in a dominant position.

Backdoor Sweep

  • Slip under their hips, roll behind them, and transition to a top or back control position.

Homer Simpson Sweep

  • Rock back and forth under their hips to destabilize them, then use their momentum to roll and sweep.

Shaolin Sweep

  • Lift their trapped leg high with your hands and legs, rolling them over their shoulder to finish the sweep.

Passes to Counter Deep Half Guard

Crossface Pressure Pass

  • Apply heavy shoulder pressure to flatten the bottom player, then circle to Side Control.

Backstep Pass

  • Free your trapped leg by backstepping over their head, transitioning to a North South position.

Leg Weave Pass

  • Trap their legs together, pinning them with your hips, and drive forward to pass their guard.

Smash Pass

  • Drop your weight directly onto their torso and use Frames to control their movement as you pass.

Escapes from Deep Half Guard (as the opponent)

Leg Pummeling Escape

  • Circle your trapped leg out using your knee to break their hook and regain your base.

Standing Escape

  • Post your free leg and stand up, using gravity to clear their grips and hooks.

Hip Switch Escape

  • Rotate your hips toward their body, clearing their grip and hooks to escape.

Knee Cut Escape

Takedowns from Deep Half Guard

Single-Leg Takedown

  • Use your control of their leg to transition into a standing Single-Leg Takedown when they attempt to disengage.

Sweep to Takedown

  • Complete a Deep Half Guard sweep, then follow up by driving through their base to secure a dominant top position.

Elevator Takedown

  • Use their momentum from standing to lift and flip them onto their back.

YouTube Videos