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Reverse Half Guard Bottom | BJJ Position Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202515 min read

Reverse Half Guard Bottom

bjjstatehalf-guardbottomadvanced

State Properties

  • State ID: S249
  • Point Value: 0 (Neutral)
  • Position Type: Defensive with offensive options
  • Risk Level: Medium
  • Energy Cost: Medium
  • Time Sustainability: Short to Medium

State Description

Reverse Half Guard Bottom is an unconventional half guard variation where the bottom player faces away from their opponent while controlling one of their legs, essentially inverting the traditional half guard configuration. In this position, the bottom player’s back is toward opponent’s chest while maintaining leg control, creating unique angles for sweeps, back takes, and transitions that are not available from standard half guard. This position often occurs during scrambles, failed sweep attempts, or as a deliberate entry for specialized techniques.

The reverse half guard creates mechanical advantages through unexpected angles and leverage points. Because opponent expects traditional half guard attacks and defenses, the inverted configuration disrupts their base and balance in unfamiliar ways. The position is particularly effective for generating momentum-based sweeps that use opponent’s forward pressure against them. However, the position carries inherent risks due to back exposure, making timing and explosive movement essential.

This position is more common in advanced BJJ and no-gi grappling where mobility and dynamic movement are emphasized. It requires good body awareness, hip mobility, and understanding of sweep mechanics. The position serves as both a transitional state during scrambles and a deliberate attacking platform for practitioners who study its specific techniques. While riskier than standard half guard, reverse half guard offers surprising offensive opportunities when executed with proper timing and technique.

Visual Description

You are lying on your side or stomach on the mat with one of opponent’s legs trapped between yours, but unlike standard half guard, you are facing away from them with your back toward their chest. Your legs are wrapped around their trapped leg in half guard configuration, but your body orientation is inverted—your head points away from them while your hips remain close to their trapped leg. Your outside arm typically posts on the mat or establishes grips for sweep setups, while your inside arm may reach back to control their far hip, establish underhooks, or create frames. Your shoulders are vulnerable to opponent’s chest pressure, and your neck is exposed to potential choke attempts, requiring constant awareness and mobility. Your hips are angled to maintain leg control while positioning for sweeps or back takes—you may be flat on your stomach, on your side, or in process of rotating. The inverted body positioning creates unusual leverage angles where you can use your leg control to manipulate opponent’s base while your upper body mobility allows for rapid directional changes. Your back exposure creates urgency—this position demands dynamic movement rather than static holding. The configuration allows you to feel opponent’s weight distribution directly on your back, providing immediate feedback for timing sweeps and transitions. Despite the vulnerable-looking orientation, proper leg control and timing transform this into an offensive launching platform where you can generate powerful sweeps by using opponent’s forward pressure and your rotational momentum together.

Key Principles

  • Leg Control Priority: Maintain secure leg control to prevent immediate pass while setting up offense
  • Dynamic Movement: Stay mobile and active to prevent opponent from settling into controlling position
  • Back Protection: Protect neck and prevent hooks while moving through vulnerable positions
  • Timing-Based Attacks: Execute sweeps and transitions based on opponent’s weight shifts and commitments
  • Hip Mobility: Use hip rotation and movement to create sweep angles and back take opportunities
  • Transition Readiness: Recognize this as transitional position requiring quick offensive action

Prerequisites

  • Strong half guard fundamentals
  • Good body awareness and spatial orientation
  • Hip mobility and flexibility
  • Understanding of sweep mechanics and timing

State Invariants

  • One opponent leg trapped in half guard configuration
  • Bottom player facing away from opponent (back toward their chest)
  • Inverted body orientation relative to standard half guard
  • Legs maintaining control despite unconventional positioning

Defensive Responses (When Opponent Has This State)

Offensive Transitions (Available From This State)

Counter Transitions

Expert Insights

  • John Danaher: “Reverse half guard is a transitional position that appears more frequently than most practitioners realize, particularly during scrambles and dynamic exchanges. While it’s not a position I teach as a primary system, understanding its mechanics is important for completing sweeps and escaping bad positions. The key insight is recognizing that your inverted orientation, while exposing your back, also disrupts opponent’s base in ways they don’t train to defend. The position demands immediate offensive action—you cannot afford to be static. Use your legs to control their base while your upper body generates rotational momentum for sweeps. Treat it as a launching pad, not a destination.”

  • Gordon Ryan: “I end up in reverse half guard frequently during scrambles, especially when opponents defend my standard half guard sweeps by driving into me. Rather than fighting back to standard half guard, I’ve learned to embrace the inverted position and attack from there. The back take from reverse half is extremely high percentage if you time it correctly—as opponent drives forward, you rotate under and take their back in one motion. The position requires confidence and explosive movement. I don’t recommend staying in reverse half for extended periods, but as a transitional attack position during scrambles, it’s highly effective. The key is recognizing the position immediately and attacking before opponent settles their weight.”

  • Eddie Bravo: “Reverse half guard isn’t traditionally part of the 10th Planet system, but it connects naturally with our scrambling and back take emphasis. When students end up in reverse half during rolls, I teach them to immediately look for the back take or transition to dog fight. The position aligns with our philosophy of staying mobile and offensive even from seemingly bad positions. From reverse half, you’re already positioned for rotation-based attacks, which fits our dynamic style. The position also teaches students to stay calm when their back is exposed—a crucial skill for developing well-rounded guards. I see reverse half as a gateway position that leads to positions we specialize in: back attacks, dog fight, and deep half.”

Common Errors

  • Error: Weak leg control

    • Consequence: Allows opponent to extract their leg and pass to side control or mount, losing position.
    • Correction: Maintain tight leg control on opponent’s trapped leg with active clamping and constant tension, using both legs to create secure entanglement despite inverted positioning.
    • Recognition: If opponent’s leg feels loose or they’re making progress extracting it, immediately tighten your leg configuration.

  • Error: Exposing back to opponent

    • Consequence: Creates vulnerability to back takes, chokes, and control positions if leg control is lost.
    • Correction: Maintain constant awareness of back exposure—keep head mobile, protect neck with shoulder positioning, and move quickly through vulnerable positions during sweeps and transitions.
    • Recognition: If you feel opponent’s chest heavy on your back without active offensive movement, you’re staying too long in vulnerable position.

  • Error: Static positioning

    • Consequence: Allows opponent to settle into controlling position and work for passes or submissions.
    • Correction: Stay dynamic with constant hip movement, leg adjustments, and sweep attempts to prevent opponent from establishing stable control and to create offensive opportunities.
    • Recognition: If opponent feels settled and comfortable, you need more movement and offensive threats.

  • Error: Poor timing on sweeps

    • Consequence: Results in failed sweep attempts that waste energy and potentially worsen position.
    • Correction: Time sweeps based on opponent’s weight distribution and movement—sweep when they commit weight forward or post hands, using their momentum to facilitate the reversal.
    • Recognition: If sweeps consistently fail despite good technique, focus on timing and opponent’s weight commitment.

  • Error: Neglecting upper body control

    • Consequence: Opponent can use grips and frames to control your upper body and prevent sweeps or transitions.
    • Correction: Establish underhooks, control grips, or use frames to manage opponent’s upper body despite inverted positioning, creating full-body control system.
    • Recognition: If opponent easily controls your upper body or prevents your movements, you lack upper body management.

  • Error: Staying in position too long

    • Consequence: Increases risk as opponent settles weight and begins working for passes or back takes.
    • Correction: Treat reverse half as immediate action position—execute sweep, back take, or return to standard half guard within seconds of entering position.
    • Recognition: If you’re in reverse half for more than 5-10 seconds without attacking, you’re being too passive.

  • Error: Incorrect hip positioning

    • Consequence: Reduces sweep power and makes transitions difficult or impossible.
    • Correction: Keep hips mobile and properly angled—not flat on stomach which limits movement, but angled on side ready to rotate and generate sweep momentum.
    • Recognition: If sweeps lack power or feel mechanically wrong, check hip positioning and mobility.

Training Drills

  • Entry and Recognition Drill: Partner drives into your standard half guard with forward pressure, forcing you into reverse half position. Practice recognizing position immediately and establishing secure leg control. 10 repetitions focusing on smooth transition and immediate control. Builds awareness of when and how reverse half occurs naturally.

  • Sweep Timing Drill: From established reverse half, partner provides rhythmic forward pressure (light, medium, heavy) and you time sweep execution based on pressure level. Focus on feeling opponent’s weight commitment and using their momentum. 5-minute rounds building timing sensitivity. This develops the crucial skill of sweep timing from inverted position.

  • Back Take Flow: From reverse half, practice transitioning to back control using various entries—rotation under, direct back take, dog fight to back. Partner provides progressive resistance (25%, 50%, 75%). 10 successful back takes per entry method. This builds back attack systems from reverse half.

  • Position Cycling: Start in reverse half and work to cycle through: reverse half → sweep → top position → reset, or reverse half → back take → back control → reset. Partner provides realistic resistance. 3-minute rounds focusing on complete sequences rather than isolated techniques. Builds ability to complete attacks from reverse half.

  • Live Positional Sparring: Start in reverse half guard and roll with progressive resistance. First 5 minutes at 50% (focus on technique and position recognition), next 5 minutes at 75% (build timing and explosiveness), final 5 minutes at 100% (test under competition pressure). Bottom player works for sweeps and back takes, top player works for passes and back control. Reset to reverse half after each success or escape. Track success rates for different attacks and time spent in position—ideal time in reverse half should be 5-15 seconds before attacking.

Decision Tree

If opponent drives forward with heavy pressure:

Else if opponent tries to flatten you out:

Else if opponent maintains upright posture:

Else (opponent establishing control):

Position Metrics

  • Position Retention Rate: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 70%
  • Advancement Probability: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
  • Submission Probability: Beginner 15%, Intermediate 25%, Advanced 35%
  • Position Loss Probability: Beginner 55%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 25%
  • Average Time in Position: 5-15 seconds (transitional)

Optimal Submission Paths

The shortest path to submission from this position: Reverse Half Guard Bottom → Back Take from Reverse Half → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission

High-percentage path: Reverse Half Guard Bottom → Dog Fight Transition → Dogfight Position → Back Take → Back Control → Won by Submission

Sweep to dominance path: Reverse Half Guard Bottom → Reverse Half Guard Sweep → Side Control Top → Mount Transition → Submission Attack → Won by Submission

Alternative sweep path: Reverse Half Guard Bottom → Roll Under Sweep → Mount → Mount Attacks → Won by Submission

Standard recovery path: Reverse Half Guard Bottom → Return to Standard Half Guard → Half Guard Bottom → Sweep → Top Position → Submission Chain → Won by Submission

Graph View

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