Jeff Glover Deep Half System

Guard System Advanced difficulty

What is Jeff Glover Deep Half System?

The Jeff Glover Deep Half System is an independent BJJGraph guide to deep half guard decisions, connecting positional control, opponent reactions, and a practical route into offense.

Deep half brings the bottom player under the opponent’s hips while controlling a leg. That location creates sweeping possibilities but also leaves upper-body exposure to manage. The useful question is which exit remains available when the opponent shifts weight or reaches for control, not how long you can stay underneath them.

The syllabus includes over-the-top, back-door, and single-leg routes, entries from several bottom positions, and troubleshooting of upper-body control. This page is a focused positional study plan rather than a claim that deep half solves every bad position. The No Gi Deep Half Guard 2.0 by Jeff Glover is the optional instructional companion. The drills, stages, and assessments below are original BJJGraph study suggestions; use the course demonstrations and coaching for the detailed mechanics.

Study this system with BJJ Fanatics

Explore a relevant instructional alongside this guide. Check the syllabus and sample on BJJ Fanatics to decide whether it suits your training.

BJJGraph earns a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what the graph teaches.

The No Gi Deep Half Guard 2.0

with Jeff Glover

Who it suits: No-gi guard players with basic positional familiarity who want to study deep half guard. This is a focused companion rather than a complete beginner curriculum.

The syllabus includes over-the-top, back-door, and single-leg routes, entries from several bottom positions, and troubleshooting of upper-body control. This page is a focused positional study plan rather than a claim that deep half solves every bad position.

View course & syllabus on BJJ Fanatics →

Core Principles

• Deep position still requires attention to upper-body exposure.
• Read the opponent’s weight before choosing an exit.
• Keep the controlled leg connected while moving underneath.
• Treat the back-door and coming-up routes as different destinations.
• Recover a safer guard when the intended exit closes.
• Separate entries from pins from established-position sweeping drills.

Key Components

Established position (Create a controlled starting point before experimenting with entries.) Begin with a coach-checked deep half configuration and identify the trapped leg and available arm protection.

Weight-direction reading (Avoid forcing one sweep against every adjustment.) Let the top partner shift gently forward or back and observe which route opens or closes.

Exit selection (Choose a destination that matches the current support.) Distinguish going over the top, leaving through the back, and coming up toward a leg.

Upper-body troubleshooting (Keep defensive exposure visible during offensive study.) Pause when the opponent gains a dangerous arm or head connection and return to a coached recovery.

Implementation Sequence

1. Agree the configuration: Start in established deep half and check that both partners recognize the leg and upper-body controls.

2. Map the weight: Have the top partner make a small weight shift and describe the change before moving.

3. Rehearse one exit: Choose a coached sweep route and finish at a named top or leg-control position.

4. Add an upper-body response: Let the top player seek one agreed control; identify it early and reset or recover rather than rush through it.

5. Add the entry last: Connect one familiar half-guard entry only after the established-position task is understood.

Where to begin in the instructional

Begin with the three sweep routes in part one, then study the underhook and head-control problems in part three before adding resistance.

BJJGraph earns a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what the graph teaches.

Explore the course contents on BJJ Fanatics: The No Gi Deep Half Guard 2.0 →

What Challenges Will You Face?

• The bottom player enters deep half without a plan to leave.: Choose an exit destination and a fallback before practicing the entry.
• A sweep is forced against the wrong weight direction.: Pause the partner’s adjustment and compare which support prevents the intended route.
• Upper-body control is ignored while chasing the legs.: Separate a recovery round that rewards protecting the head and arms before adding the sweep.
• Entries from multiple bad positions overwhelm the drill.: Keep one half-guard entry and one established-position exit until the transition is repeatable.

How to Measure Your Progress

Position awareness: Review this specific decision during constrained positional rounds. Proficiency indicators:

• Names the leg connection and upper-body exposure
• Can identify the contact or reaction that changed this decision.
• Uses the observation to choose the next focused repetition.

Weight reading: Review this specific decision during constrained positional rounds. Proficiency indicators:

• Recognizes when the chosen exit closes
• Can identify the contact or reaction that changed this decision.
• Uses the observation to choose the next focused repetition.

Exit clarity: Review this specific decision during constrained positional rounds. Proficiency indicators:

• Reaches a named destination without rushing
• Can identify the contact or reaction that changed this decision.
• Uses the observation to choose the next focused repetition.

Recovery judgment: Review this specific decision during constrained positional rounds. Proficiency indicators:

• Returns to guard when control is insufficient
• Can identify the contact or reaction that changed this decision.
• Uses the observation to choose the next focused repetition.

How to Train This System Effectively

Drilling Approach

BJJGraph practice plan: Start already in a coached deep half configuration. Let the top partner change weight direction at low intensity; choose one agreed exit or recover half guard, then review any upper-body control conceded. Keep the starting position consistent long enough to compare the same problem across repetitions. Add one defensive option at a time and record the first lost connection rather than only the final result.

Progression Path

Agree the configuration (Focus: Start in established deep half and check that both partners recognize the leg and upper-body controls.) Map the weight (Focus: Have the top partner make a small weight shift and describe the change before moving.) Rehearse one exit (Focus: Choose a coached sweep route and finish at a named top or leg-control position.) Add an upper-body response (Focus: Let the top player seek one agreed control; identify it early and reset or recover rather than rush through it.)

Common Mistakes

• The bottom player enters deep half without a plan to leave.
• A sweep is forced against the wrong weight direction.
• Upper-body control is ignored while chasing the legs.

Which Positions, Transitions, and Principles Connect to This System?

• Deep Half Guard (Position) - Positional reference for comparing deep half guard entries, controls, or recovery destinations.
• Half Guard (Position) - Positional reference for comparing deep half guard entries, controls, or recovery destinations.
• Knee Shield Half Guard (Position) - Positional reference for comparing deep half guard entries, controls, or recovery destinations.
• X-Guard (Position) - Positional reference for comparing deep half guard entries, controls, or recovery destinations.
• Turtle (Position) - Positional reference for comparing deep half guard entries, controls, or recovery destinations.
• Side Control (Position) - Positional reference for comparing deep half guard entries, controls, or recovery destinations.
• Frames (Principle) - Structures that preserve space during the guard exchange.
• Distance Control (Principle) - Spacing behind the entry and recovery decisions.
• Base (Principle) - Support to observe before selecting a sweep or coming up.
• Grips (Principle) - Connections that give the chosen movement its purpose.

Take one idea into your next session

BJJGraph drill: Start already in a coached deep half configuration. Let the top partner change weight direction at low intensity; choose one agreed exit or recover half guard, then review any upper-body control conceded.

BJJGraph earns a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what the graph teaches.

Check the sample and current price on BJJ Fanatics: The No Gi Deep Half Guard 2.0 →