BJJ Graph

Pocket Half Guard Top

Dec 09, 202515 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

Expert Analysis

John Danaher

The pocket half guard top position represents a critical control point in the systematic dismantling of the half guard. The underhook is not merely a grip - it is a control mechanism that fundamentally alters the bottom player’s ability to generate frames and create the angles necessary for effective defense. When properly executed, the underhook creates a structural trap where the opponent’s own body becomes complicit in their immobilization. The key is understanding that the underhook must be paired with precise chest pressure and crossface control to create what I call ‘three-point pinning’ - the underhook controls rotation, the chest pressure controls elevation, and the crossface controls facing direction. This triumvirate of controls renders the bottom player’s defensive options severely limited. The methodical approach is paramount: first establish complete flattening through coordinated pressure, then systematically remove the trapped leg while maintaining all control points. The common error is rushing the pass before achieving complete control, which allows the opponent to exploit remaining angles.

Gordon Ryan

Pocket half guard top is where you break people’s will to defend. When I get to this position, especially in competition, I’m thinking about two things: maintaining crushing pressure and finishing the pass as efficiently as possible. The underhook is everything - once you have it deep and you’re keeping constant pull toward your body, the bottom player is in serious trouble. I like to make it uncomfortable immediately with heavy chest pressure and a strong crossface. Most people will try to turn into the underhook to defend, and that’s when I’m ready to either finish the knee slice pass or take their back if they commit too hard to the turn. The key in competition is not giving them any breathing room - keep the pressure constant, control their frames before they can establish them, and don’t give them any false hope that they can recover. I’ve finished countless matches from this position because once I’m here, the opponent knows they’re getting passed, it’s just a matter of time. The psychological aspect is huge - when someone feels that crushing pressure and realizes their defensive options are limited, they often make mistakes trying to escape.

Eddie Bravo

In the 10th Planet system, we see pocket half guard top as part of the passing game but we’re always aware of the counters because we play so much half guard. When you’re on top with that underhook, yeah, you’ve got great control, but you need to be smart about how aggressive you get with it. The bottom player can still threaten deep half, or if you’re not careful with your weight distribution, they can use the lockdown to sweep you. What I like about this position is the Darce opportunity - when people turn into that underhook trying to defend, that’s money for a Darce choke if you’re ready for it. We drill that transition a lot because it’s such a high-percentage finish. The other thing is don’t sleep on the back take option. If they’re fighting hard to prevent the pass and coming to their side, you can sometimes step over and take the back. The innovative approach is thinking about this position not just as a passing position but as a control position where you have multiple attacking options depending on how they defend. Keep them guessing between the pass, the Darce, and the back take, and you’ll have much more success than just trying to bull your way through the same pass every time.