Half Guard Battle
guard
Grapplers Collective, Half Guard Battle. 5-6 min rounds.
Problem
Offensive and defensive half guard mechanics under live resistance.
Tell the room
From half guard, top frees the trapped leg to side control or mount. Bottom sweeps to top or recovers full guard. The top pin counts once it holds 3 seconds.
Setup
Start chest to chest. Top has the crossface with one leg trapped between the bottom's legs. Bottom on their side with the far-side underhook.
Score
Hold the pin for 3 seconds.
- Top — frees the trapped leg to side control or mount
- Bottom — sweeps to top or recovers full guard
Rules
- No submissions. Both players work the position only.
- Bottom starts with the underhook. No flat-on-the-back half guard from the reset.
- No backstep. The top player passes forward instead of spinning to the far side.
Adjust
Easier
Give the bottom a deep, established underhook and have the top player work at 70 percent.
Harder
Add submissions for both players and allow the backstep.
If it stalls
If the bottom locks the legs and holds, add a 30-second clock — no sweep or recovery attempt and the top scores.
TOP PLAYER
POSITION
Top has the crossface with one leg trapped between the bottom's legs. Bottom on their side with the far-side underhook.
OBJECTIVE
From half guard, top frees the trapped leg to side control or mount. Bottom sweeps to top or recovers full guard. The top pin counts once it holds 3 seconds.
CONSTRAINTS
No submissions. Both players work the position only. Bottom starts with the underhook. No flat-on-the-back half guard from the reset. No backstep. The top player passes forward instead of spinning to the far side.
WIN CONDITION
frees the trapped leg to side control or mount
BOTTOM PLAYER
POSITION
Top has the crossface with one leg trapped between the bottom's legs. Bottom on their side with the far-side underhook.
OBJECTIVE
From half guard, top frees the trapped leg to side control or mount. Bottom sweeps to top or recovers full guard. The top pin counts once it holds 3 seconds.
CONSTRAINTS
No submissions. Both players work the position only. Bottom starts with the underhook. No flat-on-the-back half guard from the reset. No backstep. The top player passes forward instead of spinning to the far side.
WIN CONDITION
sweeps to top or recovers full guard