BJJ Half Guard Sweeps

Contents

The Underhook War

Half guard is decided by the underhook battle. Whoever wins the underhook — the arm threaded under the opponent's armpit — controls the position. Bottom player with underhook = sweep opportunities. Top player with underhook = smash pass opportunities.

Half Guard Variations

Variation	Key Feature	Primary Goal
Basic Half Guard	Z-guard/knee shield	Prevent smash, build to underhook
Deep Half Guard	Dive under their hips	Elevator sweep, back take
Lockdown	Figure-four the leg	Control movement, old school sweep
Knee Shield Half	Knee in their belly	Create space, reach underhook

Half Guard Sweeps

Old School Sweep: Lockdown + underhook, crawl out the back while extending lockdown leg
Waiter Sweep (from deep half): Elevate their near leg, roll under them
Dogfight to Back Take: Both have underhooks standing → use forklift, trip, or back take
Knee Shield Sweep: Knee shield in belly, extend leg while pulling collar

💡 Underhook or die: Before attempting any half guard sweep, check — do you have the underhook? Without it, most sweeps fail. Recovering the underhook is the first priority in half guard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lockdown in half guard?

The lockdown is a figure-four leg entanglement around their near leg from half guard. It prevents smashing and creates the old school sweep. Eddie Bravo's 10th Planet system is built around the lockdown.

How do I get the underhook from half guard?

Shrimp away to create space, swim your arm through their armpit, pull their body toward you to prevent them recapturing it. Alternatively, use the knee shield to create space first.

Is half guard good for beginners?

Yes — half guard is more forgiving than full guard for beginners because it's harder to submit from and gives clear positioning goals. The knee shield version is particularly beginner-friendly.