Half guard
A position where one leg traps a partner leg, read from both the bottom and the top.
How to read it
What this entry helps you see
Half guard is a middle ground rather than a losing spot. From the bottom, the trapped leg, an underhook, and a knee shield decide whether you sweep or recover a fuller guard. From the top, the goal is to flatten the bottom player, clear the trapped leg, and slide into a pin. Understanding both sides makes the position easier to read.
Study cues
- For bottom, fight for an underhook or a knee shield before moving
- For top, flatten the hips and clear the trapped leg
- Choose between sweeping and recovering guard based on the underhook
Common errors
- Staying flat on the bottom with no frame or underhook
- Top player letting the bottom player get to the side
- Treating half guard as a pin to survive rather than a place to work