50-50 Entry from Standing

The 50-50 Entry from Standing is a modern leg entanglement technique that allows you to establish the 50-50 Guard position directly from a standing engagement. This entry is particularly effective in no-gi competition where traditional guard pulls may be penalized or less effective. The technique involves controlling your opponent’s leg while simultaneously sitting to the mat, creating a symmetrical leg entanglement that offers both offensive and defensive advantages.

This entry has become increasingly popular in modern competitive BJJ, particularly among leg lock specialists who use the 50-50 as a platform for attacking heel hooks and toe holds. The position’s symmetry creates a strategic stalemate that can frustrate opponents unfamiliar with its intricacies, while providing numerous attacking opportunities for those well-versed in the system. The entry requires precise timing and coordination to successfully establish the position without exposing yourself to counters.

Starting Position: Standing Position Ending Position: 50-50 Guard Success Rates: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 60%

Key Principles

• Control opponent’s leg before committing to the entry
• Maintain balance during the transition from standing to seated
• Establish proper leg configuration immediately upon sitting
• Keep your knee line aligned with opponent’s hip to prevent them from passing
• Use upper body grips to control distance and prevent opponent from creating angles
• Coordinate the sit-through motion with leg entanglement for seamless entry
• Maintain active foot positioning to threaten submissions and prevent escapes

Prerequisites

• Standing position with both competitors on their feet
• At least one grip established on opponent (collar, sleeve, or wrist control)
• Appropriate distance to reach opponent’s leg without overextending
• Clear path to sit without obstacles on the mat
• Opponent’s weight distributed on both legs or slightly forward
• Your base is stable enough to control the descent to the mat

Execution Steps

1. Establish grip control: Begin by securing a controlling grip on your opponent’s upper body, typically a collar tie or sleeve grip. This grip serves two purposes: it prevents your opponent from creating distance during your entry, and it helps control your descent to the mat. Keep your posture upright and maintain a comfortable fighting distance. (Timing: Pre-entry positioning phase)
2. Target the lead leg: Identify your opponent’s lead leg (the leg that is slightly forward or bearing more weight). Lower your level slightly by bending at the knees while maintaining your upper body grip. Begin to reach for their lead leg with your outside hand, aiming to secure a grip on their ankle or lower shin. This hand will guide their leg into the proper position as you enter. (Timing: Initial commitment phase, 0.5-1 seconds)
3. Drop to seated position: Once you have secured the ankle or shin grip, quickly drop your hips to the mat in a controlled sitting motion. Your inside leg (the leg closest to your opponent) should extend and hook behind their knee, while your outside leg begins to thread inside their leg. Keep your upper body grip active to prevent them from backing away or creating distance. The descent should be smooth and controlled, not a sudden drop. (Timing: Entry phase, 1-1.5 seconds)
4. Establish outside leg position: As you sit, thread your outside leg (the leg farther from your opponent) inside their thigh, positioning your shin across their hip. Your foot should be placed on their far hip or slightly behind it, creating a barrier that prevents them from passing to your outside. This leg acts as a frame and control point for the entire position. (Timing: Simultaneous with sitting motion)
5. Configure inside leg hook: Your inside leg wraps around the outside of their leg, with your instep or shin hooking behind their knee. This creates the characteristic leg entanglement of the 50-50 position. Your knee should be pointing upward and outward, creating pressure against their hip and preventing them from extracting their leg. Flex your foot to maintain a strong hook. (Timing: Immediately after establishing seated position)
6. Square up your hips: Adjust your hip position so that your body is facing your opponent squarely, creating the symmetrical entanglement. Your hips should be close to theirs, with minimal space between your bodies. This proximity is critical for controlling their movement and preventing them from creating the angles needed to escape or pass. Your back should be relatively upright, not flat on the mat. (Timing: Final adjustment, 0.5 seconds)
7. Establish upper body control: Once the leg entanglement is secure, adjust your upper body grips. In gi, you might control their collar or lapel. In no-gi, you can use an underhook, overhook, or grip on their wrist or tricep. These grips serve to control distance, prevent them from postured up and creating advantageous angles, and set up transitions to submissions or sweeps. Keep your chest up and maintain an active posture. (Timing: Consolidation phase, 1-2 seconds after entry)

Opponent Counters

• Sprawl and distance creation (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Maintain your ankle/shin grip and use it to pull yourself into position even as they sprawl. If they create significant distance, abandon the 50-50 entry and transition to a single leg attack or standing reset.
• Immediate backward step and leg extraction (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Use your upper body grip to prevent them from stepping back. If they begin to extract, follow them with your hips and try to establish a deep half guard or outside ashi garami instead.
• Forward pressure and knee slice attempt (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Use your outside leg frame to create distance and prevent them from driving their knee across. Transition to X-Guard or single leg X if they commit too much forward pressure.
• Guillotine attempt during entry (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Keep your head up and posture strong during the entry. If they attempt a guillotine, use your outside leg frame to create distance and break their grip, or transition to a leg lock attack to force them to release.
• Standing and lifting attempt (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Break your opponent down with upper body grips. If they succeed in standing, release the position and recover guard or stand up to reset, as holding onto 50-50 while being lifted can result in a slam or sweep.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Entering without first establishing upper body control
  • Consequence: Opponent can easily sprawl away or create distance, preventing you from establishing the position
  • Correction: Always secure at least one controlling grip before dropping to your seat. This grip is your insurance against them escaping during the transition.
• Mistake: Sitting too far from opponent
  • Consequence: Creates space that allows opponent to extract their leg or immediately pass to side control
  • Correction: Your hips should be close to your opponent’s hips as you sit. Pull yourself in with your grips and leg hooks to eliminate space.
• Mistake: Failing to establish outside leg frame quickly
  • Consequence: Opponent can easily pass around your legs before the position is secured
  • Correction: Your outside leg must thread inside their thigh simultaneously with your sitting motion. This is the primary barrier to them passing.
• Mistake: Lying flat on your back after entry
  • Consequence: Gives opponent top position advantage and makes it easier for them to pressure pass or extract their leg
  • Correction: Maintain an upright or semi-reclined posture with your chest up. This gives you better control and attacking options.
• Mistake: Crossing your feet or ankles
  • Consequence: Weakens your position and can lead to ankle locks or make it easy for opponent to pass
  • Correction: Keep your feet separated and active. Your inside foot hooks behind their knee, your outside foot is on their hip - they should never cross.
• Mistake: Neglecting upper body grips after establishing leg entanglement
  • Consequence: Opponent can posture up, create angles, and begin their passing or escape sequences
  • Correction: Immediately establish upper body control once your legs are positioned. This prevents them from creating the space they need to escape.
• Mistake: Entering when opponent has strong backward momentum
  • Consequence: You end up stretched out and unable to maintain the entanglement as they pull away
  • Correction: Time your entry when opponent is stationary or moving forward. If they’re backing away, use different entries or create a situation that stops their backward movement first.

Training Progressions

Phase 1 (Weeks 1-2): Static Entry Drilling - Learning the basic mechanics without resistance Practice the entry from standing with a compliant partner. Focus on coordinating the sitting motion with the leg configuration. Partner should remain stationary and allow you to establish the position. Drill 10-15 repetitions per training session, alternating sides. Focus on smooth, controlled movement rather than speed. (Resistance: None)

Phase 2 (Weeks 3-4): Entry with Light Movement - Timing the entry against a moving opponent Partner provides light resistance by moving around in standing position. Practice timing your entry as they step forward or laterally. Partner should not actively counter, but should move naturally. Begin to add grip fighting before the entry. Drill 15-20 repetitions, focusing on recognizing the right moment to enter. (Resistance: Light)

Phase 3 (Weeks 5-8): Entry Against Specific Counters - Defending against common counters while establishing position Partner provides specific counters: sprawl, backward step, forward pressure. Practice maintaining grips and adjusting your entry to succeed despite these counters. Work on backup options if the entry fails (single leg, standing reset, alternative guard pulls). Drill 20-30 repetitions with different counter scenarios. (Resistance: Medium)

Phase 4 (Weeks 9-12): Flow Drilling from Standing - Integrating the entry into a broader standing game Start from standing position and flow drill various guard pull options, including 50-50 entry. Partner provides moderate resistance and tries different defenses. You should be able to recognize when 50-50 entry is available versus when to choose a different option. Include grip fighting and movement patterns. Drill 5-10 minute rounds. (Resistance: Medium)

Phase 5 (Week 13+): Positional Sparring - Testing the entry against full resistance Start from standing and attempt to establish 50-50 position against a fully resisting opponent. Partner’s goal is to prevent the entry using any legal means. Your goal is to successfully establish 50-50 or adapt to alternative entries. This phase reveals which details need refinement. 5 minute rounds, multiple partners. (Resistance: Full)

Phase 6 (Ongoing): Live Rolling Integration - Using the entry in live rolling and competition Actively look for opportunities to enter 50-50 from standing during regular sparring. Start to develop a sense of when this entry is the best option versus other guard pulls or takedown attempts. Track success rate and common failures to guide your continued training focus. Continue drilling fundamentals regularly to maintain proficiency. (Resistance: Full)

Variations

Shin-to-Shin 50-50 Entry: Instead of grabbing the ankle, establish shin-to-shin position first, then sit to 50-50. This variant provides more control during the entry and makes it harder for opponent to sprawl away. (When to use: Against opponents who have excellent sprawl reactions or when you need more control before committing to the entry. Particularly effective in gi where you can combine shin-to-shin with collar grips.)

Outside Ashi to 50-50 Entry: Enter to outside ashi garami first (with your outside leg hooking their leg), then invert your inside leg to establish the 50-50 configuration. Provides a safer entry path with less risk of being countered. (When to use: When opponent is backing away or creating distance. The outside ashi entry allows you to follow them more effectively, then transition to 50-50 once they’re controlled.)

Single Leg X to 50-50 Conversion: Establish single leg X guard first, then adjust your leg configuration to create the 50-50 position. This is a conversion rather than a direct entry, but often used in sequence. (When to use: When you’ve already established single leg X or when opponent’s defensive posture makes direct 50-50 entry difficult. This conversion is commonly used in competition sequences.)

Flying 50-50 Entry: Jump into the air and establish the leg entanglement while airborne, landing in 50-50 position. Requires significant athleticism and timing. Very risky but can surprise opponents. (When to use: Against opponents who maintain very upright posture and are difficult to pull down. Primarily a surprise tactic or when you need to score quickly. Not recommended for beginners due to injury risk.)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: What is the primary purpose of the upper body grip when entering 50-50 from standing? A: The upper body grip serves two critical purposes: first, it prevents the opponent from creating distance and sprawling away during your entry; second, it helps control your descent to the mat and allows you to pull yourself into the proper position. Without this grip, opponents can easily avoid the entry by stepping back or sprawling.

Q2: Why is it important to keep your hips close to your opponent’s hips in the 50-50 position? A: Keeping your hips close to your opponent’s hips eliminates the space they need to create angles for escapes or passes. This proximity is fundamental to the position’s effectiveness - it prevents them from clearing your legs, makes it difficult for them to posture up, and allows you to better control their movement. Distance is your enemy in 50-50.

Q3: How should you respond if your opponent begins to sprawl as you attempt the entry? A: If your opponent sprawls, maintain your ankle or shin grip and use it to pull yourself into position despite their defensive posture. If they create significant distance, you should abandon the 50-50 entry and transition to an alternative attack such as a single leg takedown or reset to standing. Forcing a failed entry will leave you in a poor position.

Q4: What is the correct configuration of your outside leg in the 50-50 position and why is this positioning critical? A: Your outside leg should thread inside your opponent’s thigh with your shin across their hip and your foot placed on or behind their far hip. This leg acts as a critical frame that prevents your opponent from passing around to your outside. Without this barrier properly positioned, they can easily circle to side control or disengage from the position entirely. This is the primary defensive structure of the position.

Q5: Why is maintaining an upright or semi-reclined posture superior to lying flat on your back in 50-50? A: An upright posture provides several advantages: it gives you better control over your opponent’s movement and posture, makes it easier to attack submissions (particularly heel hooks), prevents your opponent from achieving a dominant top position, and allows you to generate more power in your leg entanglement. Lying flat gives your opponent a positional advantage and makes it easier for them to create pressure and passing opportunities. The upright posture also allows for better hip mobility to adjust your position.

Q6: How does timing your entry when your opponent is moving forward differ strategically from entering when they are stationary? A: Entering as your opponent moves forward uses their momentum against them - they are less able to sprawl or create distance because they are already committed to forward movement. This makes the entry higher percentage. When they are stationary, they have more options to defend and can more easily react to your entry attempt. However, entering against a stationary opponent allows for more control and precision in establishing the position. Advanced practitioners learn to recognize both opportunities and choose based on the specific situation and opponent’s defensive tendencies.

Q7: What are the backup options if your 50-50 entry is successfully defended, and how do you transition to them? A: If the 50-50 entry fails, your primary backup options depend on how it was defended: (1) If opponent sprawls but you maintain leg control, transition to single leg takedown; (2) If opponent steps back, follow with outside ashi garami or shin-to-shin guard; (3) If opponent drives forward with pressure, establish X-guard or single leg X; (4) If completely stuffed, stand back up and reset to neutral standing position. The key is maintaining your grips and staying connected to your opponent rather than remaining in a failed position. Recognition of which backup to use comes from understanding which direction your opponent’s defense took them.

Safety Considerations

The 50-50 Entry from Standing carries moderate injury risk, primarily to the knees and ankles during the sitting motion and entanglement phase. When practicing this technique, always ensure you have adequate mat space to sit without obstacles. Control your descent to the mat - dropping too quickly or from too high can cause knee or tailbone injuries. When your partner is learning to defend, they may attempt to remain standing while you pull them down, which can create dangerous torque on the entangled leg. Both partners should agree on whether to follow to the ground or to reset if the entry is defended. In competition scenarios, be aware of potential slam counters if you maintain the position while being lifted - it’s safer to release and reset than to risk injury. During the learning phases, practice slowly and ensure both partners understand the mechanics before adding speed or resistance. The 50-50 position itself can place significant stress on the knee joint, so both participants should tap early to any leg lock threats and communicate clearly about their comfort level with the pressure being applied.

Position Integration

The 50-50 Entry from Standing represents a modern approach to establishing guard that bypasses many traditional guard pull sequences. This technique fits into the broader leg entanglement system that includes positions like outside ashi garami, inside ashi garami, single leg X, and X-guard. From 50-50, practitioners have access to a complete system of attacks and transitions: offensive options include inside heel hooks, toe holds, straight ankle locks, and transitions to more dominant leg entanglement positions like outside ashi or the saddle position. Defensively, the position’s symmetry provides protection against your opponent’s leg lock attacks while you work your offense.

Strategically, the 50-50 entry from standing is particularly valuable in no-gi competition where traditional guard pulls may score negatively or put you at a disadvantage. It allows you to establish a complex position that many opponents are unfamiliar with, creating immediate tactical problems for them to solve. The position also serves as a gateway to the modern leg lock game, which has become increasingly important in contemporary BJJ competition. Understanding when to enter 50-50 versus other guard pull options (traditional closed guard, seated guard, butterfly guard) is an important strategic consideration that depends on your opponent’s strengths, the ruleset, and your own skill set in different positions.

Related Techniques

• 50-50 Guard - Target position - the end state of this technique
• Outside Ashi Entry - Alternative entry method to leg entanglement from standing
• Inside Ashi Entry - Related leg entanglement entry option
• Guard Pull - General category - 50-50 entry is a specific type of guard pull
• Sitting Guard Pull - Similar sitting entry but to different guard position
• Inside Heel Hook - Primary submission attack from 50-50 position
• Single Leg X Entry - Alternative leg entanglement entry that can convert to 50-50
• X-Guard to Ashi Transition - Related transition within the leg entanglement system
• Saddle Entry from Top - Follow-up position that can be achieved by adjusting from 50-50
• Heel Hook - Common submission finish from 50-50 position

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The 50-50 guard entry from standing represents a sophisticated understanding of modern leg entanglement theory. What makes this entry particularly interesting from a systematic perspective is how it simultaneously addresses two fundamental problems in guard pulling: maintaining connection with your opponent during the transition and establishing immediate offensive threats upon landing. The symmetrical nature of the final position creates what I call a ‘strategic stalemate’ - both competitors have similar attacking and defensive options, which means victory goes to whoever has superior technical knowledge and execution within the position itself. When teaching this entry, I emphasize the critical importance of the outside leg frame - this single detail determines whether you achieve a controlled position or simply fall to your back beneath a standing opponent. The timing of threading this leg inside your opponent’s thigh must be simultaneous with your sitting motion, not sequential. Students often make the mistake of sitting first and then trying to establish the leg configuration, which gives their opponent time to counter. From a biomechanical standpoint, the entry requires coordinating three separate actions: maintaining upper body connection, controlling the target leg, and configuring your own legs - all while managing your center of gravity during the descent to the mat. This level of coordination only comes through systematic drilling of the component parts before attempting the full technique under resistance.
• Gordon Ryan: I use the 50-50 entry from standing constantly in competition because it puts me directly into a position where I have a massive advantage - most people don’t understand 50-50 at a high level, so they’re immediately uncomfortable and making mistakes. The key to making this entry work at the elite level is your grip fighting before you sit. You need to control their movement so they can’t just back away when you drop. I like to use a collar tie or wrist control and actually pull them slightly forward as I sit, which makes it very hard for them to sprawl effectively. Once I’m in 50-50, I’m looking for the inside heel hook immediately, but I’m also constantly adjusting my position to break down their defensive structure. A lot of people think 50-50 is a stalling position, but that’s only true if you don’t know how to attack from it. When I enter from standing, I’m already thinking about my finishing sequence - usually I’m setting up to transition to outside ashi within 10-15 seconds if I don’t get the immediate tap from 50-50. The standing entry is also great because it’s hard to pin any negative points on you in most rulesets - you’re pulling guard, but you’re immediately establishing a complex entanglement that referees recognize as advancement. I’ve won multiple matches by entering 50-50 from standing in the first 30 seconds and finishing with a heel hook within the first minute. The entry is that effective when you understand the complete system.
• Eddie Bravo: The 50-50 entry from standing is one of those techniques that shows how much the game has evolved beyond traditional positions. In 10th Planet, we look at leg entanglements as their own complete game, not just something you do occasionally. This entry is beautiful because it completely bypasses all the traditional guard passing scenarios - you’re not in closed guard, you’re not in half guard, you’re in this weird position where both guys have the same theoretical opportunities but the person who pulled it knows the position better and has the advantage. What I love about teaching this is how it opens people’s minds to non-traditional entries. We don’t always have to do a traditional guard pull and then work to entangle the legs - we can create the entanglement during the pull itself. When I’m coaching someone on this entry, I tell them to think of it like setting a trap. Your opponent doesn’t realize they’re in danger until they’re already entangled. The way I modify this for my students is to emphasize the importance of immediately attacking once you establish the position - don’t just sit in 50-50 and wait, start threatening the heel hook or transition to saddle right away. That aggressive mentality is what makes the position work. The sitting entry also fits perfectly with our overall philosophy of being comfortable on your back and attacking from what traditionally might be considered defensive positions. In 10th Planet, there’s no such thing as a purely defensive position if you know the right attacks.