Greatest Half Guard Thread Ever - Page 61

Oliver Geddes · 11-04-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solidus Snake

Hi guys. First of all, let me thank you for this incredible mole of techniques. This thread is pure gold.

But unfortunately I can't read it all in a few days, and I was guessing if someone could point me out to the pages for what I was mainly searching for. Or even a direct answer would be even better, but it's fine either way. So here is my question:

The main problem of my half guard is this kind of pass, when the opponent turns from you and start pull out his leg: YouTube - BJJ - Half Guard Pass I train mostly with the gi but this is the clearest video I've found to explain the situation. I was asking myself if something can be done from there, if you finished pinned with the back to the ground. The only time I can escape to this kind of pass is when I'm quick enough to create space and going back lateral, so I can work on retain full guard and eventually take the back, or going back to the traditional half guard If I can recover an underhook. But I was searching for other, maybe more higher percentage solutions. Hell, every solution is welcome of course.
Keep in mind, as i stated on the other only topic I post, that I train from one year 4-5 days a week... so I believe I'm a decent white belt, nothing more, If the term makes any sense

. I have a lot of other problems with this position (of course) but this is the bigger one.

There's only one counter I know to this, but it's worked for me pretty well in general. Basically, once they switch to reverse half (following the video example here):

1. I use my right arm to underhook their right leg at the knee. If you can grab the lapel, do so.

2. I unlock my half-guard and put my right leg in as a butterfly hook underneath their ankle, keeping their foot high.

3. If necessary, I adjust my right arm grip deeper, so I have even more cloth in my lapel grip.

4. My left hand will normally be holding the back of their collar at this point. When I want to sweep, I will pull their head back with this hand, kick my hook up and turn to my left (into them), keeping my grip under their knee to prevent them from placing me in guard. I will then pass their guard to side control or if they turtle, start attacking the turtle.

Does that make sense?

Take care,

Oli

Oliver Geddes · 11-04-2009, 12:52 PM

I also just dug up this set of instructional stuff which gives a fairly thorough view of the position. Doesn't teach the sweep I was talking about, but does have some nice details, so worth a look:

YouTube - koreabjj(johnfranklbjj) counter to the "switch" 1/2guardpass

YouTube - (johnfranklbjj) counter to the "switch" 1/2 guardpass pt.2

YouTube - (johnfranklbjj) counter to the "switch" 1/2guardpass pt.3

YouTube - (johnfranklbjj) counter to the "switch" 1/2guardpass pt.4

Enjoy!

Take care,

Oli

Galahad · 11-04-2009, 07:27 PM

Oli I've heard about your half-guard and was wondering the same thing as Solidius Snake.

Going by your answer and videos you posted it seems like you are talking about the pass where they pass the leg over and turn their back to you. I think Solidius was asking what to do when the person doesn't pass the leg over, they just turn their back to you. I'm really curious as to what you personally do as well.

Also what do you do when someone stands up in your half-guard?

What do you do if you lose the underhook?

And also when going against bigger guys, even when you have the underhook they are able to use their weight to pin you down what do you tend to do? I usually bump them w/ my knee and 'drive' w/ my underhook but some guys are very big and able to use their weight effectively.

And please anyone chime in w/ their thoughts, I'm just especially curious as to what Oli does as I've seen videos of him and I tend to play the same style as him.

Oliver Geddes · 11-04-2009, 07:42 PM

Oh. Whoops.

Okay, different situation, different solution.

Thanks for the flattery, by the way. Will try and keep my ego in check. @_@

When they just turn, I will usually try and dive under their armpit and reach across their back to try and take their back. Or, to break it down a little more clearly.

1. Presuming I have half-guard on their right leg. When they turn, I will bring my left arm under their armpit and over their back, keeping my shoulder high to stop them catching my head and ending up in a howdy choke or similar really crappy position. Ideally, I want to reach their far armpit, but sometimes I use their belt instead. Whatever I can to make sure I stay behind them.

2. Now I will usually lockdown their leg, to stretch them out a bit more. It also makes the next steps a bit easier, for reasons I will explain a little bit. At the same time, I will grip their pants at the knee with my right hand.

3. Either keeping the lockdown or just hooking my left leg behind the knee (this is important, because it's the best way to stop their leg from escaping whilst you move towards their back. Normal half-guard they will just pop out from. Think of it kind of like grapevining, I will pull them over the top of me and basically force their other leg into my guard, maintaining my grips.

4. I snake out to my right hand-side, keeping the control of their back, and then start moving towards their back. Sometimes they will bail and you'll get mount, sometimes you'll make it to their back, sometimes you'll get half. It all kinda depends.

Is that clear enough?

Will try to find video to illustrate. One moment!

Take care,

Oli

Oliver Geddes · 11-04-2009, 07:51 PM

YouTube - World Championships - Round 1 - Starts from about 2:45 onwards.

YouTube - Celtic Open - Absolute - Final **ANNOTATED** - Starts at about 0:30.

Hope that's clear!

Take care,

Oli

Galahad · 11-04-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oliver Geddes

YouTube - World Championships - Round 1 - Starts from about 2:45 onwards.

YouTube - Celtic Open - Absolute - Final **ANNOTATED** - Starts at about 0:30.

Hope that's clear!

Take care,

Oli

Thanks a lot Oli!

P.S. You wouldn't happen to have any insights into the other questions I asked would you? If you do again, thanks in advance.

Edit: damn that's some sweet stuff from half-guard

Oliver Geddes · 11-04-2009, 08:12 PM

The other three are kinda general questions, but I'll do my best.

If the guy stands up, honestly I'll generally just hang on to his leg, behind the knee, keeping his leg bent. Once I'm there, he pretty much has to pass to the side he's committed to, it's very hard and all his weight is going that way. However, he's too high up to really get an underhook back, so usually I'll wait for him to pass, keep the grip on the leg (single leg, basically), and then turn in, step my leg back over his leg and hook it (to put him back into half-guard), but now his weight is forward and I'm behind him, I can come up and a simple knee tap/take the back/oldschool usually works. Will hunt for videos again in a minute.

As for the losing the underhook, it depends. Usually, in gi, if he doesn't have the underhook, I'll revert to cross collar control, which is pretty fine most of the time. If he has the underhook and he doesn't have pressure, I'll go to overhook half, and from there to butterfly sweeps, triangles, omoplatas etc. If he has the underhook AND control, it depends. Usually I'll go lockdown and pummel for an underhook before opening it up again once I get it. Sometimes I'll work for the back, as before. And increasingly these days I'll try rolling through to deep half, Jeff Glover-style. It's hard work when they're already heavy on you, but it's still very doable from there if you persevere.

Big guys? Just get to your knees. Worry about everything else later, the key thing is getting to your knees with the underhook. All the sweeps from your back don't really work when the guys get too big, so usually I'll go for a...I forget the terminology in Eddie's books. Basically the old school equivalent and twist back. Usually the latter, since it's more successful. Or, if I can, I might limp arm and try to come out the back and bundle them to the floor. Kinda depends on the situation. Again, videos to follow if you want!

Hope that helps?

Take care,

O.