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Half GuardBottom
IntermediateDeep Half Guard Sweeps
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Taught by:Adam FarnslerAndre GalvaoBernardo FariaCraig JonesGordon RyanJohn DanaherKeenan CorneliusLachlan GilesMarcelo GarciaMikey MusumeciNathan MerkleRob BiernackiRob Shiffler
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About This Technique
Deep Half Guard Sweeps - Technique Guide
Position:
- Half Guard (Specifically Deep Half Guard)
Introduction
Deep Half Guard is a strategic position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where you find yourself underneath your opponent, usually lying on your side, controlling one of their legs with your legs and arms. From here, you can initiate several sweeps to reverse the position and gain a top position.
Step-by-Step Instructions for a Basic Deep Half Guard Sweep
1. Establish the Deep Half Guard
- From a standard half guard, ensure you have control over one of your opponent's legs with your legs.
- Turn onto your side, with your head resting near your opponent's knee.
- Use your inside arm to hook and lift your opponent's far leg high into the crook of your elbow.
- Your outside arm wraps under the trapped leg, ensuring you have a firm grip behind the knee or on their gi, if wearing one.
2. Control the Leg & Bait Their Movement
- Pull the trapped leg close to your body, ensuring your opponent's weight is slightly off-balance.
- Maintain your grip on their knee or pant leg with your outside hand, making it difficult for them to break your guard.
3. Initiate the Sweep
- With their leg trapped and secured, use your inside foot to push off the mat, creating a lift.
- Simultaneously, rotate your hips and swing your outside leg in an arc under your opponent's hips.
- Aim to roll your opponent over your chest as you continue to control their leg, guiding their leg into the inside hook of your leg.
4. Complete the Roll
- Maintain control with your inside arm and use your outside hand to press against the mat to assist the rotation.
- Continue executing the roll until your upper body emerges above your opponent, becoming parallel to the ground.
5. Secure the Top Position
- Land on top of your opponent, ideally in their guard, side control, or mount.
- Ensure you have cleared their legs and maintain aggressive forward pressure.
- Secure the position with either cross face, head control, or underhooks, depending on the position you have achieved.
Key Details
- Keep your opponent off-balance by strategically manipulating their leg.
- Stay tight during the sweep — control and body proximity are paramount.
- Use your legs effectively during the rotation to maintain leverage.
Conclusion
Deep Half Guard sweeps are powerful transition techniques used for reversing challenging positions, offering you the opportunity to capitalize on being sneaky and technical. With practice, timing, and proper awareness of your opponent's weight distribution, mastering these sweeps can significantly enhance your grappling game.
How to Execute
# Deep Half Guard Sweeps from Half Guard
## Setup
- **Initial Position Details**: Start in the half guard position, where you are on your back with one of your opponent's legs trapped between your own legs. Your outside leg should be over their leg, hooking with your foot, while your inside leg should be under their leg, keeping your knee close to your chest for leverage.
- **Grips and Controls Needed**: Establish an underhook with your top arm, reaching deep under your opponent's far leg. Use your other hand to control their belt or far hip to prevent them from progressing their position.
## Steps
1. **Create Space**:
- Bridge your hips slightly upward to create space between you and your opponent. This movement will help you transition into the deep half guard position.
2. **Enter Deep Half Guard**:
- Slide your inside arm deeper, aiming to bring your head under their hips. Simultaneously, use your outside arm to push their knee upward, guiding their leg over your shoulder.
3. **Secure the Deep Half Guard**:
- Once your head is under their hips and their leg is over your shoulder, use your inside arm to grip their far thigh or belt. Your outside arm should wrap around their leg, controlling it tightly.
4. **Prepare for the Sweep**:
- Shrimp your hips out slightly to one side, ensuring their weight is off your chest and more towards their own knees. This off-balancing is crucial for the sweep.
5. **Execute the Sweep**:
- Use your legs to elevate their trapped leg while simultaneously rolling your body underneath them. Aim to roll them over the shoulder of the leg you've trapped.
- As you roll, use your grips to guide their momentum, ensuring they cannot post out with their hands or free leg.
6. **Complete the Sweep**:
- Continue the rolling motion until your opponent's hips are off the mat and they are being flipped over.
- Once they are over, transition to a dominant position such as side control or mount by following through with the momentum and establishing control with your knees and arms.
## Key Points
- **Important Details to Remember**:
- Keep your head tight to their hips to maintain control and prevent them from sprawling or regaining posture.
- Maintain a strong grip on their far thigh or belt to ensure they cannot easily escape the deep half guard.
- **Common Mistakes to Avoid**:
- Avoid leaving your head exposed, which allows your opponent to flatten you out or attack with submissions.
- Do not rush the sweep; make sure their weight is properly off-balanced before attempting to flip them over.
- Ensure your grips are secure throughout the movement to maintain control and prevent them from recovering their base.
By following these steps and paying attention to the key points, you can effectively perform Deep Half Guard Sweeps from the half guard position.
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