Pocket Half Guard Bottom

Jan 23, 202610 min read

Pocket Half Guard Bottom is a specialized half guard variant characterized by a deep underhook on the opponent’s far side combined with tight hip connection and the trapped leg locked between your legs. The ‘pocket’ refers to the space created by pulling the opponent’s far shoulder down with the underhook while using your bottom leg to create a frame against their near hip. This position excels at generating powerful sweeps and back-takes because the deep underhook compromises the opponent’s base while the tight leg control prevents them from advancing to mount or establishing a strong passing position.

The position gained prominence through Eddie Bravo’s 10th Planet system and has been refined by competition specialists who recognize its effectiveness against pressure passers. Unlike standard half guard where the underhook may be shallow, Pocket Half Guard demands a deep underhook that reaches across the opponent’s back, ideally gripping their far lat or armpit. This depth allows you to control their upper body rotation and create powerful off-balancing mechanics. The bottom leg creates a ‘pocket’ or wedge against the opponent’s hip, providing both defensive framing and offensive leverage for sweeps.

Pocket Half Guard Bottom is particularly effective against opponents who favor heavy pressure passing or who attempt to flatten you in half guard. The deep underhook and hip frame prevent them from establishing chest-to-chest pressure, while the leg configuration maintains enough space to generate hip movement and rotational power for sweeps. Advanced practitioners use this position as a launching point for the Old School Sweep, back-takes, and transitions to Deep Half Guard or X-Guard variations.

Position Definition

  • Deep underhook secured on opponent’s far side, with your arm reaching across their back to grip their far lat, armpit, or belt, creating significant control over their upper body rotation and preventing them from establishing dominant chest pressure
  • Bottom leg (same side as trapped leg) actively framing against opponent’s near hip with foot pressure, creating the characteristic ‘pocket’ space that prevents them from advancing to mount while providing leverage for sweeps and maintaining optimal distance
  • Top leg (free leg) locked over opponent’s trapped leg in standard half guard configuration, with knee shield option available or leg threaded beneath their thigh, securing the fundamental half guard lock that prevents them from extracting their leg
  • Your bottom shoulder and hip positioned on the mat with active hip mobility maintained, avoiding being completely flattened while keeping enough space to generate rotational power for offensive techniques
  • Head position on the underhook side, using head pressure against opponent’s ribs or armpit to reinforce the underhook control and prevent them from stripping your grip or establishing head control

Prerequisites

  • Opponent trapped in your half guard with one of their legs secured between both of your legs
  • Deep underhook secured on opponent’s far side before they establish heavy chest pressure
  • Bottom leg able to create active frame against opponent’s near hip
  • Sufficient space and hip mobility to prevent being completely flattened
  • Upper body positioning that allows maintenance of underhook depth

Key Defensive Principles

  • Maintain underhook depth at all costs - shallow underhook compromises all offensive options and allows opponent to establish dominant pressure
  • Active bottom leg frame creates the ‘pocket’ space - passive leg allows opponent to flatten you and neutralize sweeping mechanics
  • Hip mobility is essential - being completely flattened destroys offensive potential and puts you at risk of being passed
  • Head pressure reinforces underhook control - pulling opponent’s shoulder down with combined arm and head pressure prevents their escape
  • Use pocket space to generate rotational power - the gap created by bottom leg frame provides leverage for sweeps and off-balancing
  • Transition readiness to Deep Half or Old School - Pocket Half Guard serves as a hub position for multiple high-percentage attacks
  • Prevent crossface at all costs - opponent’s crossface combined with underhook stripping leads to flattening and successful passing

Available Escapes

Old School Sweep → Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 45%
  • Intermediate: 60%
  • Advanced: 75%

Back Take Generic → Back Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 40%
  • Intermediate: 55%
  • Advanced: 70%

Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 50%
  • Intermediate: 65%
  • Advanced: 80%

Underhook Sweep from Half → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 65%

Electric Chair Submission → Electric Chair

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 40%
  • Advanced: 55%

Transition to Truck → Truck

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 60%

Opponent Counters

Counter-Attacks

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent maintains upright posture and attempts to strip underhook:

If opponent drives forward with heavy pressure attempting to flatten:

If opponent establishes crossface and compromises underhook depth:

If opponent attempts to extract trapped leg by extending it:

Common Defensive Mistakes

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

Training Drills for Defense

Underhook Depth Maintenance Drill

Partner applies progressive resistance attempting to strip your underhook while you fight to maintain depth. Start at 30% resistance and increase to 70%. Focus on using head pressure, hip movement, and grip adjustments to preserve underhook depth even against stripping attempts. Practice for 3-minute rounds, switching roles.

Duration: 3 minutes per round, 4 rounds

Pocket Space Creation and Maintenance

From Pocket Half Guard Bottom, partner attempts to flatten your hips and collapse pocket space using forward pressure. You maintain active bottom leg frame and hip mobility to preserve the pocket. Partner gradually increases pressure from 40% to 80%. Focus on hip angle adjustments and active foot pressure against opponent’s hip.

Duration: 2 minutes per round, 5 rounds

Old School Sweep Repetitions

Set up Pocket Half Guard Bottom position and execute Old School Sweep repetitions with cooperative partner. Focus on using underhook to pull opponent’s shoulder down, creating angle with bottom leg pocket, and completing sweep to mount. Perform 20 repetitions per side, gradually increasing speed and resistance.

Duration: 10 minutes

Transition Flow Drill: Pocket to Deep Half to Back

Flow between Pocket Half Guard Bottom, Deep Half Guard, and Back Control positions. Partner provides moderate resistance (50%) while you practice reading their pressure and weight distribution to choose appropriate transition. Focus on smooth entries and maintaining control throughout transitions.

Duration: 5 minutes continuous flow

Positional Sparring: Pocket Half Guard Bottom Only

Start in Pocket Half Guard Bottom with deep underhook and pocket space established. Partner attempts to pass, you can only sweep, submit, or improve position (no allowing yourself to be passed). Reset after successful sweep/pass. This isolates the position and forces you to solve problems from Pocket Half Guard specifically.

Duration: 5 minutes per round, 3 rounds

Escape and Survival Paths

Shortest path to submission

Pocket Half Guard Bottom → Electric Chair → Electric Chair Submission

High-percentage path via positional advancement

Pocket Half Guard Bottom → Old School Sweep → Mount → Armbar from Mount

Back-take submission path

Pocket Half Guard Bottom → Back Take Generic → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke

Deep Half transition path

Pocket Half Guard Bottom → Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard → Waiter Sweep → Side Control → Kimura from Side Control

Truck system path

Pocket Half Guard Bottom → Transition to Truck → Truck → Twister Finish

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner55%45%20%
Intermediate70%60%35%
Advanced85%75%50%

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

Edit this pageEdit

On This Page