Set Ups: From High Knee Shield

Initiating a folding pass from a high knee shield half guard involves several key steps:

1. Identify the high knee shield as being at the line of your sternum or higher.
2. Establish control by gripping the collar and the lower back to create tension and prevent the opponent from pushing you away.
3. Apply chest weight over the opponent's shoulder to increase pressure.
4. Draw your elbows back and switch your hand from the lower back to the opponent's ankle.
5. Push the opponent's heel towards their butt, which is easier when the knee shield is high.
6. Lift your trapped leg and sag your opposite hip down to start collapsing the knee shield.
7. Use your chin and chest to guide the opponent's leg down, placing the inside of your knee over their ankle as you switch your hips.
8. Practice bracing against the guard with grips to wear down the opponent as they resist.
9. Compress the opponent's heel towards their butt and sag your outside hip to the mat, taking a small step to position your knee closer to their ankle.
10. Rotate your shoulders to initiate a hip sag on the opposite side, applying the fulcrum pass and changing the angle.
11. Keep your toes active on the mat and use your chest to swallow over the top of the opponent's thigh, transitioning into a head folding pass.
12. Be prepared for the opponent's resistance and look to form a staple to secure the pass.