Manipulating Base

Approaching Half Guard with the concept of manipulating the opponent's base, similar to being on the bottom of dominant positions like mount or side control:

1. Start in a modified Kesa-gatame position, keeping the opponent's hip away from your armpit with your elbow tight. Use a seat belt grip to secure the opponent.
2. Block the opponent's arm or control the hip, while the other hand can block the shoulder or make a grip.
3. Scoop your hips close to the opponent with knees facing the ceiling, ensuring your hips aren't angled towards the opponent's.
4. Bridge to lift the opponent's hip off the mat and make them sit on your lap, maintaining the seat belt grip to prevent them from sliding off.
5. Place toes on the floor, lift hips, and turn knees from one side to the other to understand how to undercut the opponent's base and disconnect them from the mat.
6. If the opponent posts their hand to prevent the twist, slide your hand in, shuck them forward, and scoot down to get on top.
7. When the opponent counters with a whizzer, trap the whizzer arm, block their hip, and undercut the near side leg to get on top.

This sequence helps develop an understanding of how to manipulate the opponent's base, deal with their whizzer and posts, and disconnect them from the mat, forming a template for all Half Guard approaches.