The half guard is a position that I’ve been trying to get better at for many years. A lot of people shy away from it because it may seem like the half guard is an inferior position to the full guard – like it’s halfway to getting passed. I like to look at it the other way around. The half guard is one step closer to getting side or back control. Either way, it’s a position that every grappler should be proficient in because it’s a very common situation to be in.

The key to success from this position is understanding that there is no single “magic bullet” sweep. It’s the ability to combine several options run in succession based on your opponent’s reactions that makes a good half guard player. So, knowing a series of sweeps and the proper times to use them is where you should begin.

A few points for half guard success:

• Underhooks: at a minimum, you’ll need the underhook on the same side as the half guard.
• Don’t let your opponent control your head: tuck your head close to his chest so he can’t crossface you. Alternatively, use your non-underhooking arm to keep his chest and arm from controlling your head.
• Don’t be flat on your back. Always be a little on your side so you’re not directly under your oppoent.
• Get good at switching your half guard legs so that as you attempt sweeps, your opponent can’t pop his leg out and into side control.

Old School

This sweep is demonstrated here with the “lockdown” but the sweep can be accomplished without it.

Other half guard sweeps can be built off of how your opponent reacts to the Old School sweep. If he pushes his weight into you to stop Old School, go with it and sweep to the other side.

Timing the execution of these two sweeps as your opponent adjusts his weight is tricky, but is much more effective than trying for one sweep over and over.

Here’s a fantastic video that includes lots of other (more advanced) options based on what your opponent might try to do. Focus on the techniques and try not to be distracted by the fact that the instructor looks a lot like Bobby Hill.

Happy half guarding!

The things this kid can do with a bokken… amazing. Via Aesopian’s facebook page.

They say the best technique to have is cardio. Conversely, your worst technique is to lack cardio. Well, the good news is that AdapTx Labs has put out the first and only supplement designed to improve it.

The company was started by David Nader, M.S., MBA in 2007. Their medical advisor is Dr. J.P. Saleeby, and his expertise in what they call adaptogens seems to be the key behind how CardioFactor works. Adaptogens are natural substances that cause the body to better resist stress and fatigue. Despite its scientific-sounding name, adaptogens are more the domain of herbalists than scientists but Dr. Saleeby has done extensive modern study on them. The herbs have been in use for centuries in other countries as qi tonics or restoratives.

To be honest, I was very skeptical about this at first. There are a lot of scary products in the wild west of sports supplements. I began digging into their site and looking into the science behind the product. By comparison, AdapTx Labs’ technical documentation and background is miles beyond most other supplement companies – even big companies like Cytosport. So I decided to give it a whirl for a couple of weeks.

Touted to have similar nutritional components as real blood, Blood Energy Potion would be ideal for the bloodthirsty UFC lightweight champ BJ Penn. Because when you train as hard as he does, you need a hard energy drink. Do I smell a sponsorship opportunity?

As I’m transitioning to full time BJJ to a little bit of MMA, I’m realizing that my instinct to flop onto my back is now a liability especially when going against wrestlers. When striking is in the picture, the guard game is risky. Good wrestlers can make you feel like this:

A mental note has been made to aggressively try to maintain top control and try and reprogram myself not to pull guard. This realization has also made me think about what I would do in a street situation. Would I automatically play guard if someone tried to go for a takedown? I’d rather not find out.