Half Guard Guard Techniques
3 TECHNIQUESHalf guard retention and recovery techniques help you maintain your guard and prevent passes.
Browse 3 guard techniques from half guard below. Each technique includes video demonstrations from world-class instructors.
Half guard basics
Clamp guard basics
Z-guard basics
Half guard basics OPEN | ST Sam Tweeds |
Clamp guard basics OPEN | BG Brian Glick |
Z-guard basics OPEN | TV Tum Voorn |
About half guard guard techniques
Playing half guard effectively means knowing how to keep it. Guard retention from half guard focuses on maintaining your knee shield, recovering underhooks, and preventing your opponent from flattening you out.
The knee shield is your primary tool for creating distance in half guard. When your opponent tries to smash through it, you frame and re-establish. When they try to go around it, you follow their movement and adjust your angle.
Half guard recovery also means knowing when to transition. If your half guard is compromised, you need escape routes to full guard, deep half, or turtle. Building these transitions into your game prevents you from getting stuck in a bad half guard.
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Create visual flowcharts with positions and techniques
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Link instructional videos and resources to each move