Stuck in Half Guard with Head and Shoulders Trapped?

Start developing your half guard game from the worst possible spot, when your opponent has the head and shoulder control.

This is the moment when the top player has the advantage and has made the first significant step towards passing your guard into side control, quarter mount or mount position.

It is essential to establish dominant inside control to begin your offensive half guard game and create opportunities for sweeps or submissions.

Inside control is primarily established through off balancing your opponent creating the opportunity to establish underhook or frames and knee shield.

Key Details:

  • Off balance your oponent by going against the power
  • Place your inside “trapped foot” on the floor and the outside foot right next to or on top of it
  • Slightly lift up and shift your hips
  • Establish the onderhook for a dominant inside fight or a frame for an outside half guard game (knee shield, z-guard

Related Techniques