I've never had any success before with taking the back from half-
guard. However, I stumbled upon something this week that seemed to
make it a lot easier.
Instead of having my underhook across their waist, I grab very, very
low on their body. Sometimes even grabbing around the same leg that
I'm trapping with my leg (but of course being careful not to touch their
"special place"). When I do this, I find that I can use that grip to pull
myself wayyy down towards their legs, which makes it easier to get my
head out.
Also, I'm trying to get "behind" them rather than trying to immediately
throw a leg over their back.
Thoughts?
Best,
Matt
I don't really agree. While it's great in general to move your head really close to your opponent's hips from the bottom of the half guard, taking the back can be shut down very easily with a simple overhook, which is what most grapplers will do right away in that situation.
Taking the back most often happens
a) against beginners that grab your head instead of overhook you (here's where staying low actually helps)
or
b) when you set the move up with another move (f.ex. try to roll him over you and then duck under his arm when/if he posts his arm on the mat to avoid the roll).
Finally, hugging his near leg like you mentioned works well for the "oldschool" sweep and related sweeps, but you definitely need to know and use more arm placements with your underhook.
Just my opinion. Cheers.
if you can get that low easily, you should be able to sweep him easily. as you try and move to his back/your knees with the single leg, he will usually be forced to pull guard and you have the sweep.
I always look to go to the back cause most guys always
a) overhook
b) switch their hips so their back is to me.
for a) I just grab their overhooking wrist with my hand that was going around to the back (keeping their elbow trapped) then I just sweep them to that side cause they have no hand to base
for b) I try to scoot and push them away as they turn. Like Saulo shows. I have more trouble with b. when a brown/black belt does it.