Deep Half Guard Bottom

Jan 23, 20267 min read

Deep Half Guard Bottom is an advanced guard position where the bottom player wedges underneath the opponent’s hips with deep underhook control of the far leg. This position creates powerful leverage for sweeps and back takes by controlling the opponent’s base from below. The bottom player’s head is positioned near the opponent’s far hip, with their body inverted underneath, creating a stable platform for offensive attacks.

This position is particularly effective against pressure passers who commit their weight forward, as it uses their momentum against them. The deep underhook of the far leg combined with the wedge created by the bottom player’s shoulder and head disrupts the top player’s base completely. From here, the bottom player can execute powerful hip-lift sweeps, waiter sweeps, and transitions to the back.

Deep Half Guard Bottom requires excellent hip mobility, core strength, and timing to enter and maintain. While it appears defensive, it is actually a highly offensive position with multiple pathways to dominant positions. The position is a cornerstone of modern no-gi grappling and has been refined by practitioners like Jeff Glover, Lucas Leite, and Bernardo Faria into a comprehensive attacking system.

Position Definition

  • Bottom player’s head positioned near opponent’s far hip, creating a wedge point with the shoulder pressed against the opponent’s inner thigh
  • Deep underhook of opponent’s far leg with bottom player’s arm wrapped around the thigh, controlling the leg close to the body
  • Bottom player’s body inverted underneath opponent’s hips with shoulders and upper back on the mat, legs positioned to create leverage
  • Opponent’s near leg typically controlled or monitored by bottom player’s free hand or legs to prevent step-over passes
  • Bottom player’s hips mobile and ready to elevate, creating constant pressure on opponent’s base and balance

Prerequisites

  • Opponent’s weight committed forward in top half guard or passing position
  • Bottom player able to create space to slide underneath opponent’s hips
  • Deep underhook established on opponent’s far leg before fully committing to position
  • Bottom player’s head and shoulder creating wedge against opponent’s inner thigh
  • Hip mobility to invert and maneuver underneath opponent’s base

Key Defensive Principles

  • Maintain deep underhook of far leg at all times - this is the primary control mechanism
  • Keep head and shoulder wedged against opponent’s inner thigh to disrupt their base
  • Stay inverted underneath opponent’s hips to maximize leverage for sweeps
  • Control or monitor opponent’s near leg to prevent step-over escapes
  • Use hip elevation and movement to keep opponent off-balance and reactive
  • Create angles with body positioning to set up different sweep variations
  • Transition quickly when opponent’s weight shifts to capitalize on openings

Available Escapes

Waiter Sweep → Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 65%

Deep Half Entry → Back Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 60%

Old School Sweep → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 55%
  • Advanced: 70%

Rolling Back Take → Back Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 20%
  • Intermediate: 40%
  • Advanced: 60%

Electric Chair Submission → Electric Chair

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 15%
  • Intermediate: 30%
  • Advanced: 45%

Underhook Sweep from Half → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 65%

X-Guard Sweep → Standing Position

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 60%

Opponent Counters

Counter-Attacks

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent drives weight forward with heavy crossface pressure:

If opponent tries to step over near leg to escape:

If opponent whizzers far arm to prevent sweeps:

If opponent pulls far leg back to escape underhook:

Common Defensive Mistakes

1. Losing deep underhook of far leg by allowing opponent to pull leg back

  • ❌ Consequence: Loss of primary control mechanism, making sweeps impossible and allowing easy pass
  • ✅ Correction: Maintain tight grip on far leg with arm wrapped deep around thigh, constantly pulling opponent’s leg toward your chest

2. Staying flat on back instead of inverted underneath opponent

  • ❌ Consequence: Reduced leverage for sweeps, easier for opponent to apply crossface pressure and pass
  • ✅ Correction: Keep shoulders and upper back on mat with hips elevated, body inverted underneath opponent’s center of gravity

3. Failing to control or monitor opponent’s near leg

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent can easily step over near leg and pass to mount or side control
  • ✅ Correction: Use free hand or legs to control opponent’s near leg, preventing step-over escapes

4. Remaining static without creating movement and angles

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent can establish stable base and defend sweeps easily
  • ✅ Correction: Constantly shift hips, elevate, and create angles to keep opponent off-balance and reactive

5. Attempting sweeps without proper setup or timing

  • ❌ Consequence: Failed sweep attempts expose back and allow opponent to pass easily
  • ✅ Correction: Wait for opponent to commit weight or react to feints before executing sweeps with proper leverage

Training Drills for Defense

Deep Half Entry Repetitions

Partner starts in top half guard with forward pressure. Practice sliding underneath and establishing deep underhook, head position, and inverted body placement. Focus on smooth entry mechanics and maintaining tight underhook throughout.

Duration: 5 minutes per side

Sweep Chain Drill

From established deep half guard bottom, partner defends one sweep attempt forcing transition to another sweep option. Practice linking Waiter Sweep → Old School Sweep → Rolling Back Take in response to opponent’s defensive reactions.

Duration: 6 minutes continuous flow

Positional Sparring from Deep Half

Start in deep half guard bottom position. Bottom player works to sweep or take back while top player attempts to pass. Reset to deep half after each successful sweep or pass. Emphasize maintaining underhook control and creating angles.

Duration: 3 minute rounds, 4-6 rounds

Escape and Survival Paths

Direct submission path

Deep Half Guard Bottom → Electric Chair Submission

High-percentage back attack path

Deep Half Guard Bottom → Rolling Back Take → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke

Sweep to submission path

Deep Half Guard Bottom → Waiter Sweep → Mount → Armbar from Mount

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner40%30%15%
Intermediate60%50%25%
Advanced75%65%35%

Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds before sweep or pass attempt

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