What comes next from half guard, bottom player flat
Half guard: the bottom player traps one of the top player's legs. Here the bottom player is flat, and the top player has a crossface (a shoulder pushing the face away). The top player is winning and wants to pass, and the bottom player wants to turn onto their side.
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Learn the position itself: Half Guard in the library ›
If you are the top
Good Works well with the right setup.
- Free the knee and pass to side control
Keep the crossface and your underhook, then work your trapped knee out. You pass to side control for 3 points.
Leads to side control › - Slide to mount
Pin their far hip, slide your knee across their belly and pull your trapped foot free. You land in mount for 4 points.
Leads to mount › - Pressure and rest
Keep the crossface and your chest down. Let them carry your weight while you rest.
You stay in this position.
Risky Can work, but often goes wrong.
- Kimura on the far arm
Attacking the arm loosens your pressure, and they can get an underhook. Only try the kimura when the arm is really there.
Ends the match if it works: a submission.
Mistake Avoid this: it usually makes things worse.
- Sit back and yank the leg out
Sitting back to pull your leg out gives up the crossface. They get the underhook and come up.
Usually goes wrong. Choose a better option above.
If you are the guard player
Best The choice that works most often here.
- Get on your side, frame, win the underhook
Turn onto your side, frame (block with your forearms), then win the underhook. Do it in that order, because staying flat gets you passed.
Leads to half guard with underhook ›
Good Works well with the right setup.
- Get the knee shield in
Put your knee across their hips. It makes space and stops the crossface.
Leads to knee shield half guard › - Recover full guard
Move your hips out, swing your free leg over and lock your ankles. It is hard from here, but closed guard is much safer.
Leads to closed guard › - Frames in, stay on your side, breathe
Keep your forearm frames up and stay on your side. Breathe and wait for a chance to move.
You stay in this position.
Mistake Avoid this: it usually makes things worse.
- Stay flat and hold the leg
Holding their leg while you lie flat only slows them down. They will pass to side control.
Usually goes wrong. Choose a better option above. - Bridge straight up
Lifting your hips straight up without trapping an arm does not move them. They can slide to mount.
Usually goes wrong. Choose a better option above.
Train it on the Path
The Half guard unit turns this into short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.
Half guard is part of the Purple belt, included in Rolla Plus. Start free with Foundations and the white belt.