Recovering The Shell

Defensive movements from the half guard shell position focus on managing the space and preventing the opponent from gaining inside control. The key is to maintain frames and posts to keep the opponent at bay.

1. When the opponent attempts to bring their hand inside, quickly reestablish inside control by bringing your hand back in.
2. Maintain a frame with your elbow and shoulder to prevent the opponent from collapsing on you. If the opponent moves your knee, keep your elbow high to maintain structure, then shrimp and recover position.
3. If the opponent pushes your knee down, lock out your arm to create a barrier. Use the structure of your arm to block their hips and make a small movement to recover your knee position.
4. Use the bottom leg to assist in recovering the knee position, rather than dropping the foot down which could allow the opponent to close the distance.
5. Control the inside space consistently and practice drills where a training partner provides movements for you to respond to, similar to a pad holder in striking. This helps develop automatic responses to common passing attempts.

By drilling these defensive movements, you'll be better equipped to handle leaks in your defense and prevent guard passes.