Fifty-Fifty Guard

The Fifty-Fifty Guard, often written as 50/50 Guard, is a symmetrical guard position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) where both practitioners have one leg entangled with each other’s leg. The position is named for its balanced nature, as both players share similar offensive and defensive opportunities. It is commonly used in both gi and no-gi grappling and is especially prevalent in modern leg lock games.

Key Characteristics

Type Guard

Control

  • Mutual leg entanglement

Goal

  • Set up sweeps, leg locks, or positional advancements

How to Enter the 50/50 Guard

From Single-Leg X Guard

  • Transition to the 50/50 Guard by passing your outside leg over the opponent’s trapped leg and locking your legs around it.

From a Leg Lock Position

  • While attacking a Straight Ankle Lock or similar submission, entangle the opponent’s leg and establish the 50/50 Guard.

From Guard Recovery

  • If the opponent is passing, trap their leg and transition into 50/50 for defense or counterattacks.

From Scrambles

  • During dynamic exchanges, use your legs to entangle the opponent’s leg and set up the 50/50 position.

Offensive Opportunities from 50/50 Guard

Sweeps

  • Off-balance the opponent by controlling their leg and hips while rotating or elevating them.
  • Sweep to establish Side Control or Mount.

Leg Locks

Back Takes

  • Use the opponent’s reactions to rotate under and take their back.

Transitions

Defensive Strategies in 50/50 Guard

Control the Opponent’s Leg

  • Keep their leg trapped and immobilized to limit their offense.

Posture and Frame

  • Maintain a strong base and frame to prevent sweeps or submissions.

Counter Their Attacks

  • Monitor their grip and leg positioning to counter their sweeps or leg lock setups.

Escape to a Neutral Position

  • Work to disengage and re-establish an advantageous position.

Strengths of the 50/50 Guard

Shared Neutrality

  • Both players have similar offensive and defensive opportunities, making it a tactical battle.

Leg Lock Game

  • A great platform for attacking leg locks, especially in no-gi grappling.

Sweep Opportunities

  • Provides multiple angles to unbalance and sweep the opponent.

Control

  • Slows down dynamic opponents by entangling their movement.

Weaknesses of the 50/50 Guard

Stalling

  • The symmetrical nature can lead to a stalemate, especially if both players are cautious.

Limited Dominance

  • Unlike more dominant guards, the 50/50 Guard doesn’t inherently threaten positional advancement without effort.

Risk of Submissions

  • Both players are exposed to leg locks, requiring constant vigilance.

Common Mistakes

Loose Leg Control

  • Without proper entanglement, the opponent can escape or counterattack.

Ignoring Hips

  • Failing to control the opponent’s hips allows them to regain mobility and attack.

Neglecting Defense

  • Overcommitting to offense exposes you to leg locks and sweeps.

Strategy

The 50/50 Guard is highly effective when used by grapplers who excel in Grip Fighting, Leg Lock attacks, and sweeping. Its utility is maximized in no-gi grappling, where heel hooks are legal, or in IBJJF gi competitions, where sweeps are prioritized over leg locks.

Tip

To master the 50/50 Guard, focus on balancing offense and defense while maintaining tight Connections and precise control of the opponent’s leg. Understanding when to attack, sweep, or disengage is key to excelling in this position!

Advancing Fifty-Fifty Guard

Transitions from Fifty-Fifty Guard

X Guard Transition

Unwrap your legs from the opponent’s and re-position to X Guard by sliding your hook under their leg while maintaining control of their ankle or thigh.

Single-Leg X Guard Transition

Move from 50/50 to Single-Leg X Guard by freeing one of your legs and hooking their far hip, creating elevation and space to attack or sweep.

Back Take Transition

Use grip control on the opponent’s leg and rotate underneath them to expose their back. Insert hooks while controlling their hips to establish Back Control.

Submissions from Fifty-Fifty Guard

Straight Ankle Lock

Control the opponent’s leg by gripping their ankle and locking their foot against your ribs. Apply pressure by extending your hips to finish the submission.

Heel Hook

In no-gi settings, secure their heel with a grip and trap their leg with your own. Rotate their heel while maintaining tight control of their knee line to finish the submission.

Toe Hold

While controlling their foot, grip their toes and force them toward their shin while maintaining leg control. The twisting pressure targets the opponent’s foot and ankle.

Kneebar

If the opponent overextends their leg, transition into a Kneebar by locking their leg and extending your hips to hyperextend their knee.

Sweeps from Fifty-Fifty Guard

Back Roll Sweep

Grab the opponent’s far leg or hips and use a rolling motion to pull them over their base. Follow the momentum to come on top in a dominant position like Side Control or Mount.

Off-Balance and Stand-Up Sweep

Push the opponent backward while controlling their leg and stand up as they lose balance. Finish by taking top position or transitioning to a pass.

Underhook Leg Sweep

Thread your arm under their trapped leg while gripping their far leg. Use the leverage to tilt them to the side and come up into a dominant position.

Pull-Over Sweep

Pull their leg across your body while twisting your hips, forcing them to collapse to their side. Use the opportunity to transition into top control.

Passes from Fifty-Fifty Guard

Leg Drag Pass

Control their leg and drag it across their body. Use your free leg to step over and stabilize in Side Control or Mount.

Backstep Pass

Free your leg by stepping backward over the opponent’s entanglement. Use your momentum to clear their leg and establish control from Side Control or Knee on Belly.

Knee Slide Pass

Free your trapped leg by pinning their hips and sliding your knee through their guard. Maintain pressure to pass effectively.

Spin-Out Pass

Use rotational movement to untangle your leg while keeping their leg pinned. Spin around to pass and establish a superior position.

Escapes from Fifty-Fifty Guard

Unwind the Leg Entanglement

Rotate your leg outward while controlling their grips to untangle the 50/50 position and re-establish a neutral guard.

Push-Off Escape

Use your hands to push their hips or legs while sliding your trapped leg free. Transition into Guard or Stand-Up for positional safety.

Post and Roll Escape

Post on the opponent’s leg and use a rolling motion to disengage from the entanglement, resetting to a neutral position.

Foot Slip Escape

Flatten your trapped foot and use a strong kick to slide it out of their control while maintaining defensive posture.

Takedowns from Fifty-Fifty Guard

Ankle Pick from Sweep

As you off-balance the opponent, grab their ankle and stand up to secure a takedown. Use your forward momentum to drive them to the mat.

Single Leg Takedown

Stand up while maintaining control of their leg. Transition to a Single-Leg Takedown by driving their leg upward and finishing with a sweep or trip.

Trip from 50/50 Stand-Up

While controlling their leg, rise to your feet and sweep their standing leg with a hooking motion to force them to the ground.

Sit-Up Guard Takedown

Transition to a sit-up position while holding their leg. Drive forward to off-balance them and complete a takedown.

These techniques showcase the versatility of the Fifty-Fifty Guard, allowing for offensive and defensive strategies in both gi and no-gi grappling. Tight Connections, proper Angles, and control over the opponent’s leg and hips are critical for success.

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