50/50 guard

N/A

Taught by:Craig Jones Gordon Ryan John Danaher Keenan Cornelius Lachlan Giles Mikey Musumeci Nathan Merkle Rob Biernacki

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About This Technique

The 50/50 guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a position where both practitioners have one leg inside and one leg outside of the opponent's legs, creating a symmetrical and neutral position. It became popular because it offers numerous submission and sweeping opportunities while frustrating opponents' attacks.

Japanese Name

N/A

Position:

Position(s) Used From: Open Guard, Guard Recovery

Detailed Instructions

Getting into the 50/50 Guard

Entry from De La Riva Guard
- Begin in the De La Riva guard, with one foot laced around the outside of the opponent’s leg.
- Use your other foot to hook the opponent’s opposite thigh or hip.
- Spin your body under your opponent, transitioning to the 50/50 guard.
- Extend your legs, creating a wedge around your opponent’s trapped leg.
Entry from Single Leg X-Guard
- Begin in a single leg X-guard position with one of your legs under the opponent’s thigh.
- Kick upwards with your leg inside the opponent while swiveling your hips to direct one leg over and behind the opponent's leg.
- Pull yourself under while sitting up, securing the 50/50 guard's triangular leg position.

Attacking from the 50/50 Guard

The 50/50 Sweep
- Control either the opponent’s belt or far-side sleeve while maintaining a tight leg-wedging position.
- Use your trapped leg hand to stabilize your opponent’s far knee.
- Slowly leverage your body to tip your opponent backwards over your triangular leg lock.
- As they topple, proceed to establish top position while maintaining control of their legs.
Heel Hook Submission (Gi-illegal)
- Secure the opponent’s leg inside your triangle lock.
- Use your inside arm to trap the opponent’s heel, making sure to control the toes with your body.
- Slowly rotate your opponent’s foot inwards or apply pressure by extending your hips.
- Make sure the pressure is secure along your opponent’s knee and submit safely in training.

Escaping the 50/50 Guard

Breaking the Triangle
- Straighten your torso and align your shoulders over your hips for better balance.
- Use your hands to open your opponent’s crossed feet:
  - Grip the top foot and apply pressure downwards.
  - Push against the bottom of the foot with controlled leverage.
- Extract the trapped leg while controlling the opponent's hip dynamically for a complete disengage.
Swimming into Top Position
- Secure control over the opponent’s top opposite-side leg.
- Perform a technical stand-up by rolling your shoulders back and placing one foot under your center.
- Turn your knee inward to challenge your opponent’s leg structure, ultimately taking the top position.

How to Execute

# 50/50 Guard from Open Guard

## Setup
- **Initial Position Details**: Begin in an open guard position with your opponent standing or kneeling in front of you. Ensure you have good posture and balance, ready to engage in grips and controls.
- **Grips and Controls Needed**: Establish grips on your opponent's ankle or pant leg to control their leg movement. Additionally, use your other hand if necessary to control their sleeve or collar for further stability and management of distance.

## Steps
1. **Create an Angle**:
   - Use your grips to pull your opponent slightly forward, encouraging them to step closer. Simultaneously, scoot your hips out to one side, creating an angle that aligns your body with one of your opponent's legs.

2. **Enter the Leg**:
   - As you establish the angle, thread your inside leg (closest to their leg) underneath their targeted leg. Your knee should pass through as you rotate your hips, allowing your knee to bend around their thigh.

3. **Control the Opponent's Leg**:
   - Use your outside leg to swing over and around your opponent's leg, placing your foot behind their knee. Your legs should now be positioned like scissors around their thigh, with both your legs controlling their one leg.

4. **Secure Your Position**:
   - Lock your legs together by crossing your feet, ensuring that your opponent's leg is trapped between them. You should now be in the 50/50 guard position, with your hips aligned with your opponent's and both having similar leg entanglement.

5. **Maintain Balance and Control**:
   - Keep your grips and adjust your position as necessary to maintain balance. Your grip on their ankle or pant leg remains crucial to prevent them from easily extracting their leg.

## Key Points
- **Important Details to Remember**:
  - Always maintain control of your opponent's leg with your grips. This prevents them from easily escaping or passing your guard.
  - Ensure your knee remains tight against their leg to avoid giving them space to maneuver out of the 50/50 guard.

- **Common Mistakes to Avoid**:
  - Do not allow your opponent to control your upper body while you work to enter the 50/50 guard. Use grips to manage distance and maintain posture.
  - Avoid leaving too much space between your legs and your opponent's as this can lead to them extracting their leg or transitioning to a more advantageous position.