Review of Half Guard: From Emergency Brake to Engine Room

Overview
Half guard used to be a last gasp; modern BJJ made it a laboratory. With one leg threaded between theirs, you can slow, underhook, and elevate. On top, it’s a test of hip control and cross‑face discipline.

Who benefits
- Shorter or stockier athletes who thrive chest‑to‑chest.
- Beginners who need a reliable “stall and rebuild” when passed halfway.
- Passers wanting a structured pathway (knee cut, smash, backstep).

Pay‑off
Bottom learns to win the underhook battle, insert knee shield, and use the far hip to get up. Top learns to pin the head, trap hips and choose cut or smash depending on frames. Both sides improve weight distribution massively.

Watch‑outs
- Bottom without a frame becomes a flattening tutorial.
- Top without head control gets swept by simple knee lever.
- Knees need kindness; don’t twist if feet are trapped—extract deliberately.

Try this round
- Bottom ladder: Recover knee shield → win underhook → come to knees to single leg.
- Top ladder: Cross‑face + underhook → clear knee line → knee cut to side control, 3‑count hold.
- Timer game: 90 seconds each side; score only if you come up to top or pass to side.

Final word
Treat half guard as a transition hub. If you only stall, you’ll lose. If you build sequences, you’ll love it.

-Chuk