Starting Position and Foot Placement

The deep half guard begins with one knee elevated while the practitioner remains seated. The foot is positioned on the inside of the opponent's leg with the knee on the outside, creating a shin-on-shin connection. This foundational positioning can develop from various guard passes or butterfly guard transitions.

Applying Pressure and Grip

The bottom arm wraps around the outside of the opponent's leg while maintaining continuous inward shin pressure against the opponent's shin. Posting on the toes and driving into the connection prevents the opponent from simply stepping around. Proper pressure in both directions—inward and toward the body—is essential to prevent escape.

Fundamental Drill: The Spin Under

From the locked position, the practitioner falls inward and places their head near the opponent's opposite leg. The free foot crosses over the top while the same-side arm hugs the opponent's leg. The practitioner then spins underneath, locks the top foot down, and maintains a tight grip on the upper thigh while floating the opponent's ankle.

First Sweep: Back Door Exit

The first sweep begins identically to the drill, with the practitioner shooting under and maintaining momentum to roll the opponent over. As the practitioner comes up, they flex the opponent's knee inward while keeping their legs connected. The continuous momentum and knee pressure are critical to completing the reversal smoothly.

Executing the Sweep with Leg Control

The practitioner shoots through to their knees while applying torque to the opponent's knee, effectively reaping it during the transition. Rising up, the practitioner maintains the knee grip with the initial leg hug while pulling upward. For larger opponents, straddling the leg with one connection point can substitute for a full double-leg bite.

Connection Principles and Troubleshooting

Maintaining connectivity at both the bottom and top of the position is fundamental to successful sweeping. The practitioner must keep either hand or leg connection throughout the movement to generate power and control. Losing connection forces the practitioner into slower, more technical sequences like leg laces rather than momentum-based sweeps.

Speed and Tempo Variations

While momentum-based execution is ideal, the technique can also be performed slowly and methodically when conditions require it. The practitioner should not abandon the technique if it does not work immediately at speed. Alternating between fast and slow repetitions develops adaptability and ensures the position functions across varying paces of play.

DEEP Half Guard — Beginner's Guide

James Clingerman

Standard Deep Half

2 min read·7 key moments·PT9M24S video

Key Takeaways

•Starting Position and Foot Placement
•Applying Pressure and Grip
•Fundamental Drill: The Spin Under
•First Sweep: Back Door Exit

Here Coach James teaches the basics of Deep Half Guard, including a simple entry from Shin-On-Shin, and a couple sweeps we can hit from there. Stay tuned for more videos on Deep Half! (00:00) - Preview (00:09) - Basic Deep Half-Guard Entry (03:22) - Sweep 1 (05:24) - Sweep 2 (07:00) - Final Thoughts — — — Ask a question - https://thefighthub.com/contact-james-clingerman/ — — — BJJ Foundation - https://bjj.foundation The ultimate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals program, only $12/month! - 375 Videos - Over 23 HOURS of content - Unlimited access, cancel anytime - 50% off first month (Promo Code: TRIAL) https://www.instagram.com/bjj.foundation https://www.facebook.com/BJJ.Foundation — — — The Fight Hub - https://thefighthub.com - Quality BJJ, Kickboxing, and MMA gear - Exclusive instructional videos from top instructors - Order custom gear for your Martial Arts gym https://www.instagram.com/the_fight_hub https://www.facebook.com/TheFightHub — — — Indiana Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy (IBJJA) - https://ibjja.com - Train with Coach James, 4th Degree Black Belt - Free 30-Day Trial—BJJ, Kickboxing, and Judo - Visitors always welcome, no drop-in fees! - Located in Greenwood, IN, just south of Indianapolis https://www.facebook.com/IndianaBrazilianJiuJitsuAcademy https://www.instagram.com/ibjja/

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Waiter Deep Half

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this video teach about standard deep half?

This video covers starting position and foot placement, applying pressure and grip, fundamental drill: the spin under. It provides detailed instruction from James Clingerman.

How long does it take to learn standard deep half?

The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 7-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.