Deep Half Guard Back Take

Transition

A transition from deep half guard where the bottom player uses their entangled position to circle underneath the opponent and emerge on their back. It capitalizes on the opponent's weight being driven forward over the underhook side, converting a guard position directly into back control.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · Maintaining a tight underhook on the far-side leg keeps the opponent's base compromised and prevents them from sprawling away.
  • · The Homer Simpson sweep motion (rolling toward the opponent's far hip) creates the angle needed to access the back.
  • · Keeping your body glued tight to the opponent's hips throughout the transition prevents them from creating space to face you.
  • · Anticipate the opponent posting their hands forward by timing your back take as they drive weight into you, using their pressure against them.
  • · Securing a seatbelt grip before fully clearing your legs ensures you don't lose the position during the transition.

Execution

  1. 1 From deep half guard, secure a deep underhook around the opponent's far thigh while your inside leg entangles their near leg and your head is below their hip line.
  2. 2 Use a pendulum motion with your legs and bridge into the opponent to off-balance them forward, then begin sliding your body toward their far hip.
  3. 3 Duck your head under their hip and circle your torso behind them, using your underhook grip on their thigh as a steering handle.
  4. 4 As you emerge behind them, release the leg entanglement, establish a seatbelt grip (over-under on their torso), and insert your hooks to secure back control.

Common mistakes

  • × Letting your head drift too far from the opponent's hip during the transition, which creates space for them to turn and re-face you.
  • × Releasing the leg entanglement too early before establishing upper body control, allowing the opponent to scramble free or re-guard.
  • × Failing to stay tight while circling behind—rising up to your knees with space gives the opponent room to sit back into you and flatten you out.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the Deep Half Guard Back Take shows up.

Deep Half Guard Bottom

Where it lands

The position you end up in.

Back Control Top