Jiu-Jitsu Mini-Seminar on Deep Half Guard Techniques
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Standard Deep Half·Knight Jiu-Jitsu·Added by Admin
Deep Half Guard is a powerful position, especially for use against heavier aggressive opponents. This video is an explor…
Standard Deep Half
Genusスタンダードディープハーフ(Sutandādo Dīpu Hāfu)
TransliterationTranslation: standard deep half
Overview
The Standard Deep Half establishes the deep half guard with the guard player fully underneath the opponent, one arm hugging the controlled leg, head positioned under the opponent's hip, with the body serving as a platform beneath the opponent's base. [1] From this position, the guard player can execute waiter sweeps, Homer Simpson sweeps, and direct elevations by simply shifting the hips and using the under-body leverage. [1],[2] The standard deep half requires the guard player to be comfortable in a compressed, underneath position. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Deep half guard places the bottom player's body under the opponent's base, providing powerful off-balancing and sweep opportunities. [1]
Lineage
Deep half guard was developed and popularised by Jeff Glover and other competitors in the 2000s as an advanced sweeping position. [1]
Competition Record
Deep half guard is used in BJJ competition, particularly by lighter-weight competitors. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Using the legs and hips to control the opponent from the bottom — maintaining distance management and attack angles
Joints Involved — Hips (primary engine for sweeps and attacks), knees (framing and hooking), ankles (secondary hooks)
Force Vector — Pulling, framing, and hip-escaping — creating angles for attacks while preventing passing
Positional Mechanic — The guard is an active offensive position — leg control compensates for bottom positioning by threatening sweeps and submissions
Position & Entry
From guard retention — When opponent starts to pass, trap one leg between your legs to establish half guard
From sweep attempt — After a failed sweep, retain the position by securing half guard control on one leg
Variants
Standard half guard — one leg trapped between both legs with an underhook
Deep half guard — fully under the opponent with the leg fully entangled
Lockdown half guard — figure-four leg lock on the trapped leg (10th Planet)
Z-guard (knee shield) — knee across the opponent's chest creating a frame
Videos
DEEP Half Guard — Beginner's Guide
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Standard Deep Half·James Clingerman
Here Coach James teaches the basics of Deep Half Guard, including a simple entry from Shin-On-Shin, and a couple sweeps …
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The Standard Deep Half Guard is a versatile bottom position accessible from multiple entries, particularly from knee shield. Both Knight Jiu-Jitsu and James Clingerman emphasize foundational structure and connectivity as essential to the position's effectiveness. Knight Jiu-Jitsu details entry via knee shield, where the bottom player stacks feet and uses frames on the opponent's shoulder and arm to prevent cross-face attacks before shooting deep inside. The leg positioning creates a wall-like structure that resists rolling. Clingerman approaches entry via shin-on-shin contact with foot inside and knee outside, driving inward pressure while wrapping the opponent's leg, then falling to the inside with the head near the opposite leg. Both instructors stress that weight distribution and leverage—rather than muscular effort—determine sweep success. Knight Jiu-Jitsu presents multiple conditional responses based on opponent resistance: direct body rolls, scissor leg sweeps when the opponent posts, ankle control with perpendicular tailbone positioning, and leg-hook variations leading to back takes. Clingerman focuses on rocking sweeps and momentum-based finishing, emphasizing maintaining dual connectivity (hands or feet) throughout transitions. Where Knight Jiu-Jitsu systematizes decision trees around opponent energy and hand positioning, Clingerman prioritizes drilling foundational mechanics and progressive pressure application to generate sweeps quickly rather than statically.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Knight Jiu-Jitsu — Jiu-Jitsu Mini-Seminar on Deep Half Guard Techniques: Detailed systematic entry from knee shield with frame mechanics; multiple sweep variations responding to opponent post positions; leverage-based leg control using hamstring and foot placement; back-take opportunities from deep half; emphasis on weight distribution and avoiding muscular compensation.
- James Clingerman — DEEP Half Guard — Beginner's Guide: Shin-on-shin entry mechanics with inward pressure; foundational drilling for connectivity and grip maintenance; rocking sweeps using momentum rather than strength; emphasis on staying connected via hands or feet during transitions; progression-based approach to sweeps with tempo flexibility.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Guard positions are defensive; injury risk comes from transitions, not the position itself
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— IJF — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — ground...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from ...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points por...
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — no penalty for playing guard
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Standard deep half guard execution: from half guard, underhook the opponent's far leg, slide your body underneath them so their leg crosses over your near shoulder, and use the deep underhook to control their base (Jeff Glover, Deep Half Guard, instructional)
✓Step 1: from bottom half guard, establish an underhook on the far leg
✓Step 2: slide your body underneath the opponent toward the trapped leg side
✓Step 3: the opponent's leg should end up draped over your near shoulder
✓Step 4: control the leg with the shoulder and both arms — this is the deep half position
✓Step 5: initiate the sweep by extending your body and tipping the opponent over their base
✓The slide underneath must be committed — half-way entries leave you vulnerable
✓Drill: from bottom half guard, enter deep half and hit the basic sweep — 5 reps per side
Common Mistakes
!Sliding underneath without securing the leg first — the underhook on the far leg must be established before the slide
!Entering too slowly — the entry must be quick and committed to prevent the opponent from adjusting
!Not controlling the leg with the shoulder — the leg draping over the shoulder is the critical control point
!Sweeping with arms only — the body extension (hips and legs) provides the sweep power
!Not following to the top after the sweep — immediately pass or establish top position
!Entering deep half from too far away — close the distance first from standard half guard
!Using deep half against standing opponents — deep half works against kneeling opponents; adjust for standing
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Achieve Guard Contact — establish leg control around or against the opponent
2Control Grips — secure sleeve, collar, or wrist control for manipulation
3Manage Distance — use legs and grips to control the range and prevent passing
4Threaten Submissions/Sweeps — create offensive threats to keep the opponent reactive
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] The Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2003)
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] The Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2003)
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility, active legs, grip management
Favours
long legs for distance control and guard retention
Key muscles
hip flexors, adductors, quadriceps, core, grip
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from escaping when I'm in deep half guard?
You need good pressure both inward toward your opponent and toward yourself to keep them stuck to you. James Clingerman emphasizes that without adequate pressure, your opponent can simply step their foot around and escape.
What should I do if my opponent flattens me out as I shoot deep into the position?
Knight Jiu-Jitsu instructs to kick the side of their body up toward their armpit to make them post on the opposite side, which prevents them from using a crossface to flatten you back out.
How do I execute the sweep from deep half guard?
Position yourself hamstring to hamstring perpendicular to your opponent, pull their ankle, drive your foot for leverage on their leg, and roll them up and over. Make sure your leg structure is solid so you're sitting on a wall and difficult to roll through.
Can I take the back from deep half guard instead of just sweeping?
Yes—hook behind your opponent's ankle with your foot while clamping down to prevent them from posting their knee, then pull their hip to one side and extend the leg out to take their back.
How does the Standard Deep Half work?
The Standard Deep Half establishes the deep half guard with the guard player fully underneath the opponent, one arm hugging the controlled leg, head positioned under the opponent's hip, with the body serving as a platform beneath the opponent's base. From this position, the guard player can execute waiter sweeps, Homer Simpson sweeps, and direct elevations by simply shifting the hips and using the under-body leverage.
Where does the Standard Deep Half come from?
The standard deep half guard is the foundational position of the deep half guard system, made famous by Bernardo Faria's dominant competition performances. It is the base position from which all deep half attacks originate.
Is the Standard Deep Half legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from guard score 2 points; IJF: restricted — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — groundwork from guard permitted …; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points portion; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — no penalty for playing guard; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Deep Half?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — guard positions are defensive; injury risk comes from transitions, not the position itself
How do I set up the Standard Deep Half?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Guard Contact → Control Grips → Manage Distance → Threaten Submissions/Sweeps.
How do I defend against the Standard Deep Half?
Standard counters include: Guard Pass — systematically work to clear the legs and establish a dominant position / Leg Pin — control one or both legs to neutralize guard retention / Pressure Passing — use heavy chest pressure to flatten and immobilize the guard player.
What are the variants of the Standard Deep Half?
Common variants: Standard half guard (one leg trapped between both legs with an underhook); Deep half guard (fully under the opponent with the leg fully entangled); Lockdown half guard (figure-four leg lock on the trapped leg (10th Planet)); Z-guard (knee shield) (knee across the opponent's chest creating a frame).
How effective is the Standard Deep Half in competition?
Deep half guard is used in BJJ competition, particularly by lighter-weight competitors.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Deep Half?
Top errors to watch for: Sliding underneath without securing the leg first — the underhook on the far leg must be established before the slide / Entering too slowly — the entry must be quick and committed to prevent the opponent from adjusting / Not controlling the leg with the shoulder — the leg draping over the shoulder is the critical control point / Sweeping with arms only — the body extension (hips and legs) provides the sweep power.
What are other names for the Standard Deep Half?
The Standard Deep Half is also known as Sutandādo Dīpu Hāfu, Classic Deep Half Guard, Full Deep Half.