Pocket Half Guard is a specialized half guard variation defined by deep underhook control combined with tight shoulder connection in the opponent’s ‘pocket’ - the space between hip and ribcage. This position emerged from modern half guard evolution as practitioners sought more offensive options while maintaining defensive integrity. The defining characteristic is the deep underhook that controls the opponent’s far hip, combined with strategic shoulder positioning that creates a barrier against passes from bottom or flattening control from top.
From the bottom perspective, Pocket Half Guard excels at generating powerful sweeps and back-takes because the deep underhook compromises the opponent’s base while tight leg control prevents them from advancing position. The ‘pocket’ refers to the space created by pulling the opponent’s shoulder down with the underhook while using the bottom leg to create a frame against their near hip. This position gained prominence through Eddie Bravo’s 10th Planet system and has been refined by competition specialists who recognize its effectiveness against pressure passers.
From the top perspective, Pocket Half Guard Top represents a dominant pressure-passing position where the top player has secured underhook control while flattening the bottom player’s half guard. The underhook provides a powerful control mechanism that nullifies defensive frames and sweep attempts. Modern practitioners have developed this into a cornerstone of pressure-passing systems, particularly effective against defensive guard players who rely on distance management. The position represents a critical strategic battleground where underhook depth, chest pressure, and crossface control determine the outcome.
Key Principles
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Underhook depth is the primary control mechanism - shallow underhook compromises all advantages regardless of perspective
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Pocket space from bottom creates sweeping leverage; pocket elimination from top enables passing control
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Hip mobility versus hip flattening defines the positional battle - bottom must stay mobile, top must flatten
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Crossface control is the critical secondary battle point determining defensive versus offensive capability
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Position serves as transitional hub for multiple high-percentage attacks rather than static holding position
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Constant offensive threats from bottom keep opponent defensive; constant pressure from top prevents recovery
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Deep underhook combined with proper weight distribution creates fundamental strategic advantage for both perspectives
Top vs Bottom
| Bottom | Top | |
|---|---|---|
| Position Type | Defensive with offensive options | Offensive/Controlling |
| Risk Level | Low to Medium | Low |
| Energy Cost | Medium | Medium |
| Time | Medium to Long | Medium to Long |
Key Difference: Deep underhook creates sweep/pass dilemma
Playing as Bottom
Key Principles
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Maintain underhook depth at all costs - shallow underhook compromises all offensive options and allows opponent to establish dominant pressure
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Active bottom leg frame creates the ‘pocket’ space - passive leg allows opponent to flatten you and neutralize sweeping mechanics
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Hip mobility is essential - being completely flattened destroys offensive potential and puts you at risk of being passed
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Head pressure reinforces underhook control - pulling opponent’s shoulder down with combined arm and head pressure prevents their escape
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Use pocket space to generate rotational power - the gap created by bottom leg frame provides leverage for sweeps and off-balancing
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Transition readiness to Deep Half or Old School - Pocket Half Guard serves as a hub position for multiple high-percentage attacks
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Prevent crossface at all costs - opponent’s crossface combined with underhook stripping leads to flattening and successful passing
Primary Techniques
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- Success Rate: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 75%
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Back Take Generic → Back Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 70%
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Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard
- Success Rate: Beginner 50%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 80%
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Underhook Sweep from Half → Side Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
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Electric Chair Submission → Electric Chair
- Success Rate: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 55%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 60%
Common Mistakes
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❌ Allowing underhook to become shallow or losing underhook grip entirely
- Consequence: Opponent can establish dominant chest pressure, flatten you completely, and pass to side control or mount with minimal resistance
- ✅ Correction: Fight aggressively to maintain underhook depth - if opponent strips it, immediately recover it or transition to different guard rather than accepting shallow underhook position
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❌ Passive bottom leg that doesn’t actively frame against opponent’s hip
- Consequence: Opponent collapses the pocket space, flattens your hips, and eliminates all sweeping leverage while advancing their passing position
- ✅ Correction: Keep constant active pressure with bottom foot against opponent’s hip, adjusting foot position as needed to maintain the pocket space and prevent hip flattening
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❌ Allowing opponent to establish crossface while you maintain underhook
- Consequence: Crossface combined with forward pressure neutralizes underhook advantage and leads to being passed via knee slice or pressure pass
- ✅ Correction: Use head pressure on underhook side to prevent crossface, and if crossface begins to establish, immediately transition to Deep Half or abandon position
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❌ Being too passive and waiting for opponent to make mistake rather than actively attacking
- Consequence: Allows opponent time to work on stripping underhook, establishing crossface, or setting up their preferred passing sequence
- ✅ Correction: Constantly threaten Old School Sweep and back-takes - even failed attempts keep opponent defensive and preserve your offensive options
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❌ Gripping opponent’s far arm or shoulder instead of securing deep underhook to their back
- Consequence: Shallow underhook provides insufficient control over opponent’s rotation and allows them to easily strip the underhook by rotating away
- ✅ Correction: Ensure underhook reaches all the way across opponent’s back to grip their far lat, far armpit, or far side belt for maximum control depth
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❌ Allowing trapped leg to become completely extended and locked straight
- Consequence: Creates vulnerability to leg attacks and reduces mobility needed to generate sweeping power or transition to other positions
- ✅ Correction: Maintain slight bend in trapped leg configuration and keep it close to your body rather than allowing it to be stretched out straight
Playing as Top
Key Principles
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Maintain deep underhook position with constant pulling pressure toward your body, keeping the bottom player’s shoulder elevated and preventing them from flattening to create defensive frames
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Apply consistent forward pressure through the chest and hips, driving weight into the opponent’s torso to flatten the half guard and limit their mobility
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Control the crossface angle with your head or free arm, preventing the bottom player from turning into you or establishing frames that could create distance
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Keep your base wide and heavy, with knees positioned to prevent the bottom player from inserting additional hooks or recovering full guard
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Progress methodically toward the pass by first flattening the opponent completely, then systematically removing the trapped leg while maintaining all other control points
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Coordinate pressure and movement to prevent the bottom player from coming to their side, which would allow them to establish better frames and potentially sweep or re-guard
Primary Techniques
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Knee Slice Pass → Side Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 50%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 75%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 70%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
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Side Control to Mount → Side Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 55%, Intermediate 70%, Advanced 80%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 50%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 75%
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Back Take Generic → Back Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 55%
Common Mistakes
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❌ Allowing space between your chest and the opponent’s torso
- Consequence: Opponent can establish frames, create distance, and potentially recover guard or sweep
- ✅ Correction: Maintain constant forward pressure through your chest, keeping your weight heavy and eliminating any gaps that would allow the opponent to insert frames or create angles
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❌ Losing the underhook by not maintaining pulling pressure
- Consequence: Opponent can escape the underhook, establish their own underhook, and reverse the position or sweep
- ✅ Correction: Continuously pull with the underhook toward your body, keeping the opponent’s shoulder elevated and maintaining deep arm position under their armpit
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❌ Failing to control the crossface angle with your head or free arm
- Consequence: Opponent can turn into you, establish better frames, and create angles for sweeps or re-guard
- ✅ Correction: Keep your head positioned on the crossface side with constant pressure, or use your free arm to control the opponent’s face and prevent them from turning into your underhook
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❌ Rushing the pass without first flattening the opponent completely
- Consequence: Opponent maintains enough angle to insert additional hooks, recover full guard, or execute sweeps from the side
- ✅ Correction: Be methodical in first achieving complete flattening with chest pressure and underhook control before attempting to extract your trapped leg and complete the pass
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❌ Allowing your base to become too narrow or squared up
- Consequence: Opponent can off-balance you, create sweeping opportunities, or use your compromised base to escape the position
- ✅ Correction: Maintain a wide base with your free leg posted out, creating a strong triangular base that is difficult to sweep while maintaining forward pressure
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❌ Neglecting to control the opponent’s free arm
- Consequence: Opponent can establish defensive frames, push your head away, or create enough space to threaten sweeps or recover guard
- ✅ Correction: Use your free hand to pin the opponent’s near arm to their body, control their wrist, or establish a crossface grip that neutralizes their defensive frames