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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.