Half Guard Part 1

I will be dividing the half guard up in the next couple posts.  This will be a two weeks series.  Feel free to comment if you can add to anything I write.

I remember the first couple of years of my brazilian jiu jitsu training, half guard was a position that I held just long enough for me to recover my guard back.  It wasn't really an attacking position or at least a position that I really wanted to go to.  I usually would attempt a submission from guard and if it failed I would quickly scramble to recover at least one of my opponents legs.  Now, the half guard position is a huge staple in my game.  I have developed several sweeps and submissions that all stem from this position.  In order to pull these moves off I have realized a that I must have a few things happen in order to be successful at this position.

  

First,  I should start out in the right position.  As soon as I realize that I am going to be in half guard, whether I want to go or it's the only option, then I should make sure that I am starting in the right posture.  This will save a lot of energy and frustration.  It is very important to learn when to realize that you are getting passed.  This comes with experience.  Sometimes you try to hold on to a position and by the time you give up your opponent has you in a very bad spot.  Then you find yourself exhausted and in a bad spot.

  Second,  I must never be flat on my back.  I must always be on my side.  When I say on my side, I mean comfortably on my side.  I like to use the analogy that my body is like a kick stand and my opponent is the bike.  I should position my body in a way that my body is holding my opponent in a frame type position.   I should not be relying on my muscles to hold him up.   Lying flat on my back largely limits the ability to move my hips.  It  gives my opponent to many options to pass me.  It also is exhausting when an opponent is laying on top of me with all his weight on me.  It is very hard to breathe.
  Also, I not only have to use my body as a frame. I also have to use my arms as a frame.  It is important to keep my arm in the proper posture or I can get in big trouble.   There are different positons to keep my arm.  One position for my top arm is framing his neck and my other arm should not let my opponents arm get under my head.  If my opponent gets under my head he will flatten me out.  This will force me to work to get back on my side.  I would be starting all over again!

Stay tuned for part 2