Greatest Half Guard Thread Ever

[ownedbytriangle]

Half guard is by far my favirote position because of the amount of sweeps you have.
But recently my training partners have been catching onto my game. When i get into half guard they bring their knee up off the ground and plant their foot down. As soon as they do this they use one of their arms to slide my figure four down. Does any1 know some solid sweeps to counter this pass? I usually fully extend my legs, cross my feet, and squeeze HARD so they cant pull down but my instructor says this is bad.

[esila]

Originally Posted by ownedbytriangle

But recently my training partners have been catching onto my game. When i get into half guard they bring their knee up off the ground and plant their foot down. As soon as they do this they use one of their arms to slide my figure four down. Does any1 know some solid sweeps to counter this pass? I usually fully extend my legs, cross my feet, and squeeze HARD so they cant pull down but my instructor says this is bad.

Did you instructor give you any other advice???

It sounds like they're going into something like a "sprinter's stance" (like when they're set in the starting blocks, one leg fully extended up). If they get to this point, it sounds like you're not properly working from the bottom in half guard.

Squeezing hard just to prevent the leg from sliding is wrong because it's not working towards what YOU are supposed to do from half - sweeping, transitioning, or submitting the guy.

I think the first line of order should be to ensure you've established the underhook on the side that you're figure-fouring your legs. From there, work the basic transitions / sweeps from half guard. Again, that's why I asked what advice your instructor has given you thus far besides "don't do that, it's bad", so we can have an idea of where to give more helpful advice. Hope this helps!

[ownedbytriangle]

Originally Posted by esila

Did you instructor give you any other advice???

It sounds like they're going into something like a "sprinter's stance" (like when they're set in the starting blocks, one leg fully extended up). If they get to this point, it sounds like you're not properly working from the bottom in half guard.

Squeezing hard just to prevent the leg from sliding is wrong because it's not working towards what YOU are supposed to do from half - sweeping, transitioning, or submitting the guy.

I think the first line of order should be to ensure you've established the underhook on the side that you're figure-fouring your legs. From there, work the basic transitions / sweeps from half guard. Again, that's why I asked what advice your instructor has given you thus far besides "don't do that, it's bad", so we can have an idea of where to give more helpful advice. Hope this helps!

yah that stance is sounds about right except their posture is up straight and not forward

my instructor explained why doing it was bad but he didnt give different alternatives. I didnt really ask what i should do when people bring their knee up so he had no reason to tell me.

as for establishing the underhook thats second nature to me but when they actually do get their knee up theres too much distance for me to shoot in for it and theyre already working a pass (although i dont think iv actually tried shooting in for an underhook because of the distance, maybe if i try i will off balance them, will try that today)

[esila]

Originally Posted by ownedbytriangle

yah that stance is sounds about right except their posture is up straight and not forward
as for establishing the underhook thats second nature to me but when they actually do get their knee up theres too much distance for me to shoot in for it and theyre already working a pass (although i dont think iv actually tried shooting in for an underhook because of the distance, maybe if i try i will off balance them, will try that today)

Too much distance? They're straight up??? That's a heavenly situation for you! That means they're not crossfacing you, nor establishing the underhook on you, nor pressuring you! If you have that much space, what's to keep you from simply transitioning to butterfly guard or full guard???

[codemonkey76]

I answered you in the other thread, but to keep it all together in the HG thread, here is my response:

It sounds like a "face the legs" pass, there are counters to these types of passes, one of my favs, is to immediately switch to half-butterfly, and get your head inside his, so your head is on his chest, then unlock half-guard at the same time as you kick with your butterfly hook and explosively bridge into him for the sweep

[yovan]

Originally Posted by codemonkey76

It sounds like a "face the legs" pass, there are counters to these types of passes, one of my favs, is to immediately switch to half-butterfly, and get your head inside his, so your head is on his chest, then unlock half-guard at the same time as you kick with your butterfly hook and explosively bridge into him for the sweep

When you say "Get your head inside his", is this something needs to happen before he totally spins all the away from you?

I actually tried this recently but it seems I let my guy go past the point of no return.

Any tricks for regaining this position after he is facing your legs?

[lebo-0937]

ive been working halfguard lately and when i get the under hook then swim to the stiff arm position...hook the leg ...my trouble is getting their hips on top of mine to make them light....any suggestions...i think if i master that i will get more sweeps......(p.s... i already saw the vid aesopian had on his site and even though it is a really good vid)...im still having problems some of the time.....i was thinking about getting on my side then doing the "lock down" position...but i wonder if that would hinder some of my sweep options.......any sugestions would be welcome....thanks...

[esila]

Originally Posted by lebo-0937

my trouble is getting their hips on top of mine to make them light....any suggestions...

Very early on in this thread Aesopian goes over some drills to perform for your situation (I'm assuming by "stiff arm" you're referring to the "traffic cop" - so this is all deep half guard related).

Here is the Aesopian post which has some great drills for improving the weight transfer you are seeking.

The first 5 or so pages of this thread all deal with deep half guard and its options, you should check it out!

As far as using the lockdown - I personally use the lockdown prior to advancing to the deep half guard position. Also, lockdown or no, your hips will be the determining factor of moving your opponent's weight around (as mentioned above with either rolling to and fro your back, and side to side rocking motions). Hope this helps!

[lebo-0937]

Originally Posted by esila

Very early on in this thread Aesopian goes over some drills to perform for your situation (I'm assuming by "stiff arm" you're referring to the "traffic cop" - so this is all deep half guard related).

Here is the Aesopian post which has some great drills for improving the weight transfer you are seeking.

The first 5 or so pages of this thread all deal with deep half guard and its options, you should check it out!

As far as using the lockdown - I personally use the lockdown prior to advancing to the deep half guard position. Also, lockdown or no, your hips will be the determining factor of moving your opponent's weight around (as mentioned above with either rolling to and fro your back, and side to side rocking motions). Hope this helps!

thank you very much i will drill them the next time i train.....good sugestions

[codemonkey76]

Originally Posted by lebo-0937

ive been working halfguard lately and when i get the under hook then swim to the stiff arm position...hook the leg ...my trouble is getting their hips on top of mine to make them light....any suggestions...i think if i master that i will get more sweeps......(p.s... i already saw the vid aesopian had on his site and even though it is a really good vid)...im still having problems some of the time.....i was thinking about getting on my side then doing the "lock down" position...but i wonder if that would hinder some of my sweep options.......any sugestions would be welcome....thanks...

any time when you think damn i can't move this guy he is too heavy... move yourself instead.