### Transition to Deep Half Guard When you're in a precarious position on the mat and need control, transitioning into deep half guard can provide the leverage needed for better manipulation and potential sweeps. Below is a step-by-step guide for executing a smooth transition into a deep half guard, typically used when you're in the bottom half guard position. #### Initial Setup - **Starting Position:** Begin in **Half Guard** with your opponent on top, either attempting to pass or maintaining their weight. Your back will be slightly off the mat with your sides pressed. - **Goal:** Transition to Deep Half Guard and control their leg. ### Step-by-Step Instructions 1. **Control Their Far Leg**: - Use your top arm to grip your opponent's far leg (often around the knee), pulling it towards you. - Your hand placement should be firm but not overbearing. 2. **Execute the Underhook**: - Weave your bottom arm under the near leg of your opponent, aiming to grasp their thigh. - This arm will serve as both a guard and controlling limb. 3. **Shift Your Hips**: - Using your planted heels, shift your hips away from your opponent's torso, angling to place your head near their knee of the controlled far leg. - Your shoulder will press inward slightly for better positioning. 4. **Insert Your Top Leg**: - Slide your top leg underneath your opponent's legs, making a loose 'scissors' shape with your bottom leg. - Hook your foot or the back of the thigh inward for additional leverage. 5. **Motion into Deep Half**: - Push off slightly with your top leg and pivot your body, helping you scoop under your opponent's center of gravity. - Maintain control via the leg grips as your body rotates and begins to settle beneath them. 6. **Control and Secure**: - Keep your top hand around their knee as you adjust your body's alignment, pulling your opponent's trapped leg into your torso. - Ensure your head is tucked to avoid any sudden weight adjustments from your opponent. 7. **Prepare to Sweep**: - From here, you can set up a variety of sweeps based on the shifts in your opponent's balance. **Tips for Success:** - Keeping tension in your grips is crucial to prevent your opponent from freeing their leg. - Always maintain head pressure beneath their knee to establish positional leverage and prevent easy counters. - Practice fluid leg and hip movements to foster quick transitions. By mastering this transition, you gain a dynamic position that can lead to additional sweeps and submissions, culminating in a strategy-rich advancement within BJJ. ---