[Sherdog_Mutt]

One aspect of half-guard that was stressed to me was to simply be more patient. Unlike some of the other guards out there, if you have the proper controls you can afford to be patient. Gordo told me that it's almost a lazy man's guard.

By the way, I just learned a really cool half-butterfly guard sweep last week. Naturally, I want to share this with my sherdog brethren. As with most half-butterfly guard sweeps, this one works beautifully regardless of how big the opponent is and even if the opponent has won the cross-face + underhook battles. From the half-butterfly guard position you:

1) Use your hook and trapping leg to bring the trapped leg up and close to your hips.

2) Use your arm (the one that's supposed to be underhooking) to grab the foot of the trapped leg.

3) Slide your hooking leg in so that your shin is now in contact with the inside portion of the trapped knee.

4) Pull the trapped foot towards you while you kick out with your shin on the trapped knee. This places a lot of torque on the knee and your opponent's weight should already be shifting backwards away from you.

5) Sit up to complete sweep and enjoy round of applause from half-guard lovers everywhere.

Awesome awesome sweep that has been working very well for me against large guys.