Half Guard Retention Apr 2026

: Gaining an underhook on the opponent’s far side is a powerful way to move from a defensive position to an offensive one, often leading to sweeps or taking the back.

: Use your arms to create "frames" (stiff structures) against the opponent's neck, shoulders, or hips to prevent them from securing a cross-face or chest-to-chest control. Half Guard Retention

: Always strive to keep your feet, knees, and elbows "inside"—between your body and your opponent's. If your opponent wins the inside position, they are much closer to passing. : Gaining an underhook on the opponent’s far

: When your shield is flattened, you may need to "low leg" or shrimp out to create space and re-insert the top knee to reset the distance. Highly Recommended Instructionals If your opponent wins the inside position, they

: Protecting your head is paramount. If an opponent can pin your head (usually with a cross-face), they can flatten your shoulders to the mat, making retention nearly impossible.

: If an opponent tries to circle around your legs, you can use an inside spin across your shoulders to re-insert your knees and recover a full guard or a better half guard.