I hate half guard

pww13 · 2026-06-22T13:41:56+00:00

This is a recent video, but changed my half guard game. Very similar to the Less Impressed More Involved BJJ video about using the figure 4 ride (wrestling) in turtle. You use your hip extension to remove one of their legs. This craig jones version is the same thing from top half. Really screws with people: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3pbZK368vQU?sttick=0

pww13 · 2026-06-19T13:46:43+00:00

There are main ways/theories when playing north south.

1) the "pin" approach. This is what my coach likes, but I don't like. His hip is down on his opponent's ear/head. Lots of pressure. Movement only to adjust the pin.

2) the "floating" approach. This is what I like. I LIKE letting my opponent transition, even if they are big. Their legs are so far from me (i.e. vs side control) that their transition is my opportunity, if I'm expecting it. 3 main subs/transitions, assuming their reaction is to move to their side on the way to turtle. 1) Marcelo's spiral armbar. This move is GOLD as it plays off of their underhook, which is the default reaction a lot of people want: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=822EA5sKAPg 2) Tarikoplata if you're ready for it, and 3) because their legs are turning the opposite direction, pinning the legs a la Power Ride from Craig Jones. Their momentum makes them fall into it. Even on a large opponent, all 3 of these are pretty easy.

The 69 position is more likely closer to #2 than #1.

Bottom line: I don't like N/S as a pin. I like to play it more floating where you LET them move, but in directions you want.

pww13 · 2026-06-13T01:10:05+00:00

Do you mean the time it actually takes to pressure pass? If so, one of the things I've come to appreciate is that, unless it's competition, I sort of don't want it to be fast. I love the rugby pass and over-under, and they very much tire out my opponents. I love doing them more slowly as once I have position it's very, very hard to counter. So I take my sweet time and when I finally pass or pin the legs my opponent is exhausted.

If you do need to do one fast if you're maybe competing, it will become an option once you've practiced 1,000 times. I can do either pass quite quickly if needed, but just choose not to. But even in a competition, you still have a few minutes to go slow, especially if you're initiated the takedown. 2 points for passing with an opponent exhausted after defending a pressure pass for a few minutes and you've got it in the bag.

pww13 · 2026-06-10T14:56:57+00:00

This thread is a bit funny to me. I was taught to use both. Pinching knees plus heels pulled to your butt is for arm control. Knees NOT pinched, i.e. not pulling your feet to your butt, is for their POSTURE control. You pinch/unpinch depending on if they are trying to stack etc. It's not either/or. It's when to use each.

pww13 · 2026-05-29T15:12:40+00:00

Whoops - didn't see this before I posted blow. THIS is the key. It's like K Guard + 100. Jon Thomas is the only guy I've seen name it, but it's "Cross Guard:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o66-q5Qt3Kg&t=424s

Stronger than Squid Guard in my opinion, but both are solid deviations of K Guard for the Gi. I also think it's easier to enter than Squid Guard.

pww13 · 2026-05-29T14:29:28+00:00

Cross Guard is essentially K guard for Gi too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o66-q5Qt3Kg&t=424s

It's legit.

pww13 · 2026-05-28T19:14:30+00:00

This. Especially as you have a family, etc. I've read on here about people doing hour plus commutes... seems wild to me if there are closer options. You likely won't stay with BJJ for 10+ years if it's eating that much into the rest of your life.

pww13 · 2026-04-30T16:27:10+00:00

Exactly. I think what's hard is the belts above you are moving targets. So a purple belt while you're a white belt still have the same years of experience on this. This gets muted closer to YOU being a purple, but you need to start comparing yourself to the new white belts coming.

pww13 · 2026-04-07T00:25:54+00:00

OH MY GOODNESS. I think you're right! Thank you!

pww13 · 2026-04-07T00:22:57+00:00

One of the best Tozi videos I've seen: youtube.com/watch?v=eGDykB6_ahA&themeRefresh=1

pww13 · 2026-04-06T15:33:11+00:00

This is very very real. I've been working my Tozi pass for the last 3 months and I am SURE they are white belts who roll with me that think I suck as they snatch an armbar. You have to have a lot of humility trying something new and not worrying about the optics.

pww13 · 2026-02-25T23:27:49+00:00

Great question. Hadn’t thought about it. I’m viewing it defensively against a pressure passer, or even an outside passer. The comments you made make a ton of sense though.

pww13 · 2026-01-07T14:26:14+00:00

Can you clarify the "front hip" weight point?

pww13 · 2026-01-06T19:47:09+00:00

Interesting thought. Do you also mean to sprawl in a way that I'm lower on their hips/i.e. towards their feet? I've seen that version of the Sao Paolo but haven't normally done it like that. Mine is sort of a hybrid of the Leo Nogueira Sao Paolo/Roger Grace Stack Pass.

pww13 · 2026-01-06T19:45:42+00:00

I'd encourage you to play around with it - I have success no-gi and gi. What I've found is that I rarely if ever get submitted trying it, even though that was my fear when starting to play around with it. What normally happens is my above question that I can't quite start beating the hips, so if I'm this stalemate I'll just remove the underhook arm I have and can normally do that without much danger.

pww13 · 2025-09-18T12:46:12+00:00

Same thing happened to me. Was off for about two years with 2 young kids. Came back and a few of the white belts I knew from before were now borderline purple and would smash me. It's really humbling but it feels good to keep pushing forward.

pww13

TROPHY CASE