In 2009, on the IBJJF World Championship, a comparatively unknown BJJ black belt named Bernardo Faria confronted a bodily superior opponent within the open weight division. Because the match intensified, Faria slid beneath his opponent, clamped his grips, and used a seemingly odd, tucked-in place to tip his adversary over with easy leverage. Commentators known as it “unusual however good.” What the viewers witnessed was a masterclass in probably the most misunderstood but efficient positions in fashionable Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: the Deep Half Guard.
What Is Deep Half Guard?
Consider it because the sneakiest option to flip protection into offense.
You’re on backside. Your higher physique is wedged below your opponent’s hips. Certainly one of their legs is trapped between your personal. Your head is positioned close to their far hip, and your arms are hugging their trapped leg. To somebody watching, it would seem like you’re in hassle, however ask any seasoned grappler, they usually’ll inform you: that’s the place the enjoyable begins.
The Deep Half is all about management, angles, and persistence. You’re actually beneath your opponent, which supplies you insane leverage and off-balancing energy. It’s like a stress cooker place, tight, shut, and filled with potential.
Why It Works (The Logic Behind It)
The core idea of the deep half is getting beneath your opponent’s heart of gravity. When you’re there, you’re successfully controlling their base from the within out. Very like a automobile jack doesn’t must raise a car with power however with place and mechanics, the deep half means that you can elevate and tip opponents utilizing minimal effort.
In keeping with 2022 IBJJF match knowledge analyzed by BJJ Heroes, the deep half guard was utilized in 14% of profitable sweep sequences in matches the place the practitioner was at a weight drawback, indicating its strategic use when approach should trump power. Bernardo Faria, a five-time IBJJF World Champion, attributes over 60% of his competitors sweeps to deep half variations.
2 Excessive-Share Sweeps From Deep Half Guard
Now, after masking the fundamental mechanics and the success tales of the deep half guard, let’s dive into some sensible usages of it mixed with sweeps that you may probably use to show the tides round. You don’t must grasp ten sweeps from the deep half to make use of it successfully. Deal with two core choices that work throughout belt ranges:
1) Homer Sweep
Sure that’s proper. It’s named after The Simpsons character Homer Simpson for its simplicity and “rolling” nature, this sweep makes use of your momentum and underhooked leg to roll your opponent backward. Right here’s the way it goes:
Management your opponent’s far leg together with your outdoors hand.
Tuck your head beneath and roll towards the underhooked aspect.
End within the prime half or aspect management.
The Homer sweep can depart your opponent fully baffled. One second they’re on prime with full management, and the subsequent, you’ve gotten reversed the place and brought over, usually earlier than they even realise what occurred.
2) Deep Half Again Take (Plan B Sweep)
In case your opponent bases out or counters the Homer Sweep, this feature turns into accessible.
Use your inside arm to raise the trapped leg.
Push together with your shoulder whereas turning towards your opponent’s again.
Come out behind them into seatbelt management or the turtle.
Each methods work as a result of they capitalize on the off-balance mechanics created by the deep half place. They’re additionally comparatively protected to aim, if the sweep fails, you’re nonetheless in a structurally sound place to reset.
When Ought to You Use Deep Half Guard?
Whereas there are numerous debates as to when you must or mustn’t use them, we’ve discovered it usually helpful to make use of the Deep Half Guard within the following conditions:
When flattened in conventional half guard, and unable to pummel for the underhook.
When going through aggressive top-pressure passers.
As a strategic possibility when stalling out in closed or open guard.
Throughout scrambles the place you’ll be able to slide beneath and isolate a leg.
It’s particularly efficient in Gi and No-Gi settings alike, though in No-Gi, you could rely extra on physique positioning than lapel or pant grips.
Conclusion
The deep half guard isn’t flashy, but it surely’s undeniably efficient. It’s a place that rewards persistence, precision, and understanding of leverage. From white belt to black belt, it provides a strong instrument to neutralise stronger opponents and reverse the combat in your favour.
In the event you’ve by no means explored deep half, possibly it’s time to slide beneath the storm and uncover its quiet energy—so the actual query is: will you be the hammer or the lever?
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