Pocket Half Guard Top

Jan 23, 20269 min read

Pocket Half Guard Top is a dominant pressure-passing position where the top player has secured underhook control while the bottom player’s half guard is significantly flattened. This position is characterized by the top player’s chest-to-chest pressure, crossface control, and the ability to apply crushing weight while systematically working to complete the pass. The ‘pocket’ refers to the tight space created where the top player’s underhook traps the bottom player against their own legs, limiting mobility and creating a highly advantageous passing situation.

From this position, the top player enjoys significant control advantages, including the ability to flatten the opponent, prevent re-guard, and advance to side control or mount. The underhook provides a powerful control mechanism that nullifies many of the bottom player’s defensive frames and sweep attempts. Modern BJJ practitioners have developed this position into a cornerstone of pressure-passing systems, particularly effective against defensive guard players who rely on distance management and frames. The position represents a critical junction in the half guard game where the top player has achieved sufficient control to begin finishing the pass with high percentage.

Position Definition

  • Top player maintains underhook control on the bottom player’s far side, with arm threaded deep under the armpit and hand gripping behind the back or shoulder blade, creating a tight connection that prevents the bottom player from turning away
  • Top player’s chest maintains heavy pressure directly on the bottom player’s upper torso, with weight distributed through the sternum and pectoral muscles, keeping the bottom player flat on their back with shoulders pinned to the mat
  • Bottom player’s half guard is significantly flattened with their outside leg trapped between the top player’s legs, their inside knee driven toward the mat, and limited ability to create angles or establish frames due to the underhook control
  • Top player’s head position is typically on the crossface side (opposite the underhook), with forehead or temple pressure applied to the bottom player’s jaw or cheek, further restricting movement and preventing the bottom player from facing into the top player
  • Top player’s free arm (non-underhook side) controls either a crossface position with forearm across the face, or controls the bottom player’s near arm to prevent defensive frames and block attempts to regain full guard or create distance

Prerequisites

  • Top player has achieved underhook control from half guard top position
  • Bottom player’s half guard has been partially flattened, with their back approaching the mat
  • Top player has established chest-to-chest pressure and forward weight distribution
  • Bottom player’s defensive frames have been passed or controlled
  • Top player has secured head position with crossface or head control on the opposite side from the underhook

Key Offensive Principles

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Keep your base wide and heavy, with knees positioned to prevent the bottom player from inserting additional hooks or recovering full guard
  • Progress methodically toward the pass by first flattening the opponent completely, then systematically removing the trapped leg while maintaining all other control points
  • 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

Available Attacks

Knee Slice Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 50%
  • Intermediate: 65%
  • Advanced: 75%

Smash Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 45%
  • Intermediate: 60%
  • Advanced: 70%

Transition to Mount → Mount

Success Rates:

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

Side Control to Mount → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 55%
  • Intermediate: 70%
  • Advanced: 80%

Underhook Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 50%
  • Intermediate: 65%
  • Advanced: 75%

Back Take Generic → Back Control

Success Rates:

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

Opponent Escapes

Escape Counters

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent is completely flattened with no frames established:

If opponent turns into underhook to defend:

If opponent establishes frames with their free arm:

If opponent attempts deep half guard entry:

Common Offensive Mistakes

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

Training Drills for Attacks

Pressure Maintenance Drill

Partner starts in pocket half guard bottom and attempts to create frames and distance. Top player focuses on maintaining chest pressure, underhook control, and crossface position for 2-minute rounds, resetting when bottom player successfully creates significant space.

Duration: 5 rounds of 2 minutes

Underhook Retention Drill

Bottom player actively fights to strip the underhook using various grips and frames. Top player must maintain deep underhook position while applying pressure and working toward the pass. Emphasizes grip fighting and maintaining control under resistance.

Duration: 3 rounds of 3 minutes

Flattening and Pass Progression Drill

Starting from half guard with underhook control, top player must systematically flatten the opponent (30 seconds), establish complete control (30 seconds), then execute the pass (60 seconds). Bottom player provides progressive resistance. Rotate positions and repeat.

Duration: 4 rounds of 2 minutes

Counter Transition Drill

Bottom player attempts specific escapes (deep half entry, turning into underhook, establishing frames). Top player must recognize the escape attempt and execute the appropriate counter (Darce setup, back take, knee slice continuation). Practice each scenario 10 times per round.

Duration: 3 rounds focusing on different escape attempts

Optimal Submission Paths

Pressure pass to submission chain

Pocket Half Guard Top → Knee Slice Pass → Side Control → Kimura from Side Control → Kimura

Opportunistic choke path

Pocket Half Guard Top → (opponent turns in) → Darce Setup → D'arce Control → Darce Choke

Back attack path

Pocket Half Guard Top → Back Step → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke

Mount to armbar path

Pocket Half Guard Top → Smash Pass → Mount → Armbar from Mount

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner50%45%15%
Intermediate65%60%25%
Advanced75%75%35%

Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds before completing pass or losing position

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