Half guard sweeps and recovering guard: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu · Half guard · 10 minute lesson Pro

The old-school sweep, and rebuilding a full guard when the pass is coming.

Watch it on YouTubeSearch: Bjj old school sweep half guard tutorial. Videos by other coaches.

From half guard you can sweep, take the back or recover a full guard. All three start from the same structure: shield, underhook, angle.

Sweeps need balance control. Break your opponent's base in the direction they are weakest, and move your own hips into the gap.

Key points

Break their base: they have a weak side, usually the leg you trapped.
Grab the trapped leg's ankle or the near trouser and pull it in.
Go under: come out from under their hips on the underhook side.
Finish on top with your knee on their thigh and your hands on their hips.
If the sweep fails, recover guard with a frame and a shrimp before they settle.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

Sweeping with arms only. Use your hips and legs under their centre of gravity.
Staying flat after a failed sweep. Immediately re-frame and shrimp before they flatten you.
Letting go of the underhook. Keep it until the sweep is complete.

The rest is in the app

The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Half guard module of Jiu-jitsu foundations.

Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.

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Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.