Living the BJJ life style

Saulo Riberio Five commandments of the Half Guard:

Commandment #1 - "Thou shall not to get flatten out on back"
Get on your side as soon as possible. because getting flat make half-guard movement very difficult.

Commandment #2 - "Thou shall not get crossfaced"
Getting crossfaced takes away half of your control. Use bottom arm to defend the the crossface while making sure not to extend arm.

Commandment #3 - "Thou shall get underhook"
Getting underhook means that the opponent cannot attack the head without you going to his back. The underhook is a key component of most half-guard sweeps. Keep top arm tight to body to ensure that opponent does not get underhook. Grab belt when possible!!

Commandment #4 - "Thou shall use top knee to control distance"
The knee is the last resort if the opponent is able to open half guard.

Commandment #5 - "Thou shall crunch body up under opponent body"
This allows you to Getting underhook means that the opponent cannot attack the head without you going to his back. The underhook is a key component of most half-guard sweeps.

Ok..enough with the fluff some of the more memoriable Half Guard pass techniques.

Half Guard Sweep #1 :

1. Feed trapped leg to out side hook and stretch him out.
2. Near arm comes over to secure the leg(May not be needed).
3. Come up on bottom elbow.
4. Squeeze knees together and pull trapped leg out from under opponent.
5. Drive weight towards opponent to complete sweep.
   

Half Guard Sweep #2 (If opponent kicks over during #1):

1. Under hook opponent's near leg with your far leg.
2. Kick hook over and follow opponent

Half Guard Sweep #3(As opponent switches hips on a the pass) :

1. Get on side
   
2. Get up on elbow
3. Use top elbow on opponent back to grab his belt.
4. As opponent drives his weight down bring leg up.
5. Scoot hips under and around opponent.
6. Take his back and choke him out.
   
7. Squeeze knees together and pull trapped leg out from under opponent.
8. Drive weight towards opponent to complete sweep.
   

First off let me just say that Saulo Riberio Jiu-Jitsu Resolution is the best GI series on the market today. I love this dude's game because it's all about technique. In Saulo's own words "Too much strength...you are going to get tired. Jiu-Jitsu is not about strength."

As it relates to passing the half guard Saulo first rule(one that applies to every pass) is:
"Flatten you opponent out before you start the pass.(Circle towards feet)"

Ok..enough with the fluff some of the more memoriable Half Guard pass techniques.


Half Guard Pass #1 :

1. Get near arm under opponent. shoulder
   
2. Drop head over to opposite side.
3. Raise hips and get up on toes
   
4. Drop trapped knee over opponent inside thigh
5. Switch hips inside and bring knee thru
6. Secure side control

Note: A elbow lock can be obtained from Half Guard Pass #1 by reversing body position and locking trapped shoulder.

Half Guard Pass #2(Not able to get near arm under shoulder):

1. Switch side by turning back to opponent's head.
   
2. Use near arm to lock in opponent's hip.
3. Walk trapped foot up until knee clears half guard.
   
4. Use far knee(bottom) to trap opponent's bottom hip.
5. Pull trapped leg free
   
6. Switch hips
7. Secure side control

Half Guard Pass #3 to mount(Not able to get near arm under shoulder):

1. Switch side by turning back to opponent's head.
   
2. Use near arm to lock in opponent's hip.
3. Bring back up to opponent's chin
   
4. Walk trapped foot up until knee clears half guard.
   
5. Switch hip over and drop knee to near side(as if to mount).
6. Bring head across to far side and secure near shoulder.
7. Bring far leg inside to free trapped leg
8. Secure mount

Half Guard Pass #4 (Trap hips):

1. Move back and drop chest onto opponent's hips.
   
2. Secure overarm lock on hips.
3. Bring head to far side.
   
4. Move hips towards trapped leg.
   
5. Extend trapped leg.
6. Secure side control.

Half Guard Pass #5 (Saulo's favorite):

1. Opponent gets underhook.
   
2. Secure overhook on opponent's arm and grab his belt..
3. Adjust body switching hips toward far side.
   
4. Swing far leg up and over to sit on opponent's near side.
5. Grab top leg at the knee.
6. Use free leg to push on opponent's bottom knee.
   
7. Switch hips
8. Secure side control.