Half Guard: Recovering Closed Guard
18 related references (techniques and positions)
Half guard offers sweeps and submissions, but an opponent may shut down those attacks. Stephan Kesting’s article on returning to closed guard presents changing position as a useful response. It describes a butterfly-hook recovery demonstrated by Roberto “Gordo” Correia, making recovery part of the half-guard discussion rather than treating another attack as the only answer.
Is this for you?
- Your half-guard attacks stall and you want to understand the option of recovering closed guard.
Also consider
Brian Glick: Half Butterfly — For sustained half-butterfly offense, Glick covers positioning, sweeps, kimuras and leg entries.
Dante Leon: Wrestling Up From Guard — For attacking by coming up from bottom, Leon covers wrestling up from several guards.
Coverage and limits
- Why a player might leave half guard and recover closed guard when offense is being shut down.
Limits
- This topic covers one recovery option and its purpose, not a complete half-guard attacking system.
Sources Expand for evidence and notes
Independent BJJGraph guide. Not authored or endorsed by the instructor.
How to Transition from Half to Closed Guard — Stephan Kesting — public instruction; checked 2026-09-16. Read the public article explaining a reason to leave half guard and identifying Roberto Gordo Correia’s recovery example. Embedded video content not reviewed.
Under Pressure: Half Butterfly Mastery by Brian Glick — official listing; checked 2026-09-16. Verified inside-position and head-position sections, entry positions, two attack groups, troubleshooting and executive summary. Listing inspected; course video content not reviewed.
Wrestling Up From Guard by Dante Leon — official listing; checked 2026-09-16. Verified distance-management lesson and three volumes covering X/De La Riva, reverse De La Riva and butterfly starts. Listing inspected; course video content not reviewed.