How To Stop Getting Smashed in Half Guard Bottom

Half Guard is one of my favorite Brazilian Jiujitsu positions to play from on the bottom. I love the ability to get sweeps even against bigger stronger opponents. But one of the most frustrating problems with Half Guard (at least early on) is getting flattened out on your back when someone is passing.
When you're flat on your back you Half Guard is useless and is more of an offensive position for the BJJ practitioner on top.
In this video I'll show some basic grip fighting options that will prevent your Half Guard from being wrecked in BJJ. Along with the grips I'll also show you how to go with the power to escape a strong squeeze on top when you're flat in Half Guard.
If you're struggling with Half Guard in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu because you get stuck flat on your back then I hope this video is useful to you!
Thanks for watching the video!
-Chewy
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Intro/Outtro Music : bknapp.bandcam...
If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.

[@themonkeyking3132]

Taking notes! Tired of getting smashed in half-guard 😂 I feel like I live there 😂

[@richardpanini971]

Give us a tutorial on how a cellphone can defend itself from you

[@Chewjitsu]

There is no defense. . .

[@timotejmares]

Don't worry about the phone, Chewy taught it ukemi ;-)

[@Whisky148]

Never thought about going with it so he has to post to get the underhook. Very nice!

[@Kalopsia666]

Whisky148 same here. Can’t wait to experiment with this

[@Whisky148]

SwingTheHammer it works!

[@rickprocure6321]

Trying this tonight

[@danielcalvo4635]

Agree.

[@tylersaupe1612]

Dude, thank you so much for this. I’m a bright white belt and found myself in this position repeatedly a few days ago. I can’t wait to drill this on Monday. I wish I started BJJ years ago, it’s so fascinating to me how deep the unknown goes. I’m loving every minute even while getting wrecked. It gives me a blueprint of what to work on and a problem in need of solving. You’re an incredible teacher!

[@AbdullahMikalRodriguez]

"ADAM" -Adam 2019

[@mnj01777]

I think Adam talks too much.

[@jessishtdwp2010]

mnj01 haha love that comment

[@raidthanfl]

Love this! One strip white belt here. I do a lot of yoga (not a lot of lifting). Im always finding myself in bottom side against the bigger stronger dudes. They get annoyed with my flexibility, and always regarding. But im always getting smashed once i hook the leg. These tips are fantastic. So simple yet effective. Cant wait to try these tomorrow

[@bobtjustice]

Some say that mobile phone is still sliding to this day.

[@TorAndreKongelf]

Thanks for this. I am 36, unflexible, slow and short and heavy whitebelt training for 1 month. I can allready predict half guard will be my game so thanks for this.

[@jeremiahsouthworth5112]

Man, I'm right there with you. Accept for the short part. I'm 6'3" and 400 pounds. Just started training a little over a month ago at a local gym. I still don't have the strength/flexibility to stand up in base yet. Actually had to scour the internet to try and find an A8 gi, which I managed to! But I love it, am sticking with it and am down more than 20 pounds from when I started.

[@jeremiahsouthworth5112]

@The Tide Rises Yep.

[@TorAndreKongelf]

@The Tide Rises Great when I am not gassing my self out because I am tense. :) Thanks for asking

[@br1580]

this helped loads, thank you

[@PCBrett]

Thanks Chewy! I’m going to try this tonight. Bottom of the mount, quarter guard, half guard.

[@Chewjitsu]

Good luck!

[@sasquash8709]

I’ve only been at BJJ for 8 months, coming from a karate background of 16 years! By God, half guard smash is horrendous and I’ve not a notion how to escape it.

[@jimcarroll9738]

From one slightly less shiny newbie who also spent more than a decade doing a TMA, it's bizarrely mindblowing how helpless you can feel. Probably the hardest thing to learn is to relax and not default to old habits. Or rather, poor adaptations of old habits might be a better description. But, you already know that you can stick with something for a long time, and you probably remember your early days of frustration with the basics. (I sorta feel like us "former TMA students" need a support group or something 😅) You've got this, brother.

[@Flbari]

I do BJJ since 4 years and i still hate bottom half guard. But i'm not the smartest one, a lot of my techniques involves being flexible and fast

[@fred7705]

Man thank you so much! this video helped me to get from not confident, to being very confident in bottom half. I even tried to push it a bit far by sacrifying everything and i did get the underhook easily. I had a couple of rolls and it worked smoothly 🙏🏼🤙🏽

[@whitewhale3912]

I had a fight late last year, not like a bjj or judo like a stret fight against this one guy, he got the half guard and started ground and pound i couldnt for the life of me get out, it started on feet obviously i got a clean dodge and a clean hit on his nose he started bleeding i got the take down but got winded as we fell back back bcs i used his momentum to trip him over and pulled, the he got the half guard and i got stuck, couldnt get out but i managed to get another elbow on his nose he bled like craxy but he won the fight, shook hands after and got food then went our ways

[@andreapinelli3348]

This is so brilliant, so simple yet it seems so effective, thank you so much.

[@androthsatyr]

Love this video Chew, I enjoy half guard a lot and recently started playing it more, including its octopus guard variation, but my training partners have started smashing me hard recently.

[@adambruno6]

So simple. So effective. This has been an issue for me lately... Thank you so much!

[@Chewjitsu]

You're welcome!

[@williamoakley4056]

Thanks Chewy, I was having issues losing the under hook. Your video has been extremely helpful

[@marianmarian4417]

Thanks, really useful tip about going with, instead of against your opponent's power. BTW Cool editing:-)

[@Chewjitsu]

Thanks!

[@professor_peculiar619]

Hey chewy do you have a tiny mic on just wondering audio wise or are the acoustics good in your gym

[@Chewjitsu]

Good gym acoustics

[@jimcarroll9738]

"Iron squirrel" made me laugh, but only because it was both unexpected and spot-on. Which means it'll be easy to remember and share with others. Thanks for the video, and this gem in particular!

[@nicocontreras5366]

Exactly, I never forgot the principles of defending in half guard thank´s to that phrase.

[@rbau7413]

Taking notes! Tired of getting smashed in half-guard 😂 I feel like I live there 😂

[@fmpipeline]

@Chewjitsu, how feasible is it to use your left arm to scoop under Adam's right arm, remove his base and continue the motion to sweep him, on 3:57? Thanks for the amazing video bro

[@Chewjitsu]

It's feasible and I've done it before. Thanks for the message!

[@badjudgment]

Been having this problem recently moved gyms because of moving. everyone is my size or bigger blue and purple. Getting out the bottom with them is tough. Our coach demonstrates how to sit up get back hook hug the second arm and sweep. But when rolling it’s 10 times harder..

[@dubstepXpower]

You don't need the underhook, an overhook and scissor with the knee shield can force their head to the mat making the triangle easier. But this needs to be done really early on

[@michaellavazza960]

You have to make sure you have his captured leg extremely tight or when you go with that John Wayne style movement you open for him to slide knee through to mount...

[@jeffreym166]

. Somehow the good teachers are talking about what I need to hear without me saying anything. Thanks chewy!

[@timrob0420]

When is Adam going to have technique videos

[@joshuahall1656]

Very helpful. I'm gonna work that into my game asap.

[@Chewjitsu]

Thank you! Glad it helped!

[@JRDATX]

Thank you Chewy and Adam! This is just what I need.

[@Drunk-Jitsu]

This is a really good reminder. Love the video. And I love Adam's intensity, it's mesmerizing.

[@Chewjitsu]

Hahah thanks brother. Adam does always bring his A game.

[@joshsinclair539]

Great tip, thanks for sharing!

[@qfhijfscij7954]

How much practice i need to be perfect or master on Techniques???

[@ZeroFucksLeft]

As much as it takes until you can do it without thinking about it, halfmindedly like a cashier giving change.

[@smeargut1809]

Create space it’s all fundamentals

[@doyenguy]

Came here for the jiu-jitsu and the phone tossing.

[@Chewjitsu]

You can to the right place then.

[@aiden1278]

Hey chewy I’m new to jiu jitsu but I’ve always been a weightlifter. Should I quit weightlifting and focus on jiu jitsu? Or should I combine them. Also I would love a jiu jitsu focused lift. OSS!

[@slavicvolk]

1:51 overhook half butterfly 2:48 getting underhook or cross collar

[@FreeHat_]

I’m always in bottom half guard 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@ricardogalindo8794]

Wow! This is so common sense! That when one is on the ground. One forgets that these moves can be utilize on ground. I'm totally going to use them! Gracias!

[@NiagaraBTC]

This is great and I've definitely been having this issue - thanks!

[@ironcross1252]

Chewy i would love to see you spar with marcelo garcia, damian maia etc. would love to hear notable people have you sparred with

[@codyykwgo4214]

Does this work if a guy is 70 pounds heavier and about 5 to 7 inches taller then me. Remind you I’m 5’2 120 pounds

[@ZIKO_11]

Большое спасибо. С первого раза намного легче стало. А есть упражнения для болей в верхней части спины и лопаток?

[@girthehuman7853]

I thought he was about to just full on hit him in the junk at like 18 seconds in. I was about to say "well, that's one way out of it I guess."

[@killingspree15]

Adam wilson has kept the same signature stare and hand thingy for years lmao.

[@nicocontreras5366]

Excelent, I used to spend so much time getting tired bridging to the other side.

[@Galleon1235]

Good video on fundamentals of being on bottom half.

[@roybaerPL]

Thanks for this video from a William who does not want to get smashed in 0.5 guard

[@precisionprotectionv.i.5308]

This is just what I needed to help my bottom game along! Thanks Chew

[@umosurf]

And what when he put the hips very low on the ground or your legs?

[@gom7755]

*White belt* Thought my half guard was the shit until I went with higher belts 😂 definitely need to use this

[@themaster-jp6sp]

"the iron squirrel" has to be made into a t-shirt!

[@danielcalvo4635]

"Adam?"..."Adam"...😁

[@johnnygoggin4405]

Hey mate. I’m a white belt and I struggle with a panic and light headed feelings in chokes that seem to press against my wind pipe. When it happens I feel out of it and very panicked for a few seconds maybe longer sometimes. I have to consciously shake it off when it happens and afterwards for a min or so I find it hard to concentrate. What would you or anyone suggest for how to deal with this.

[@jimcarroll9738]

This might sound too generic, but: 1) tap out early, tap out often, keep yourself safe, 2) ask your training partner to ease up, 3) talk to your coach for guidance, 4) discuss with your doctor to make sure there are no unusual medical concerns. If this is just the 'normal' panic (raw survival instinct) kicking in, just know that it's a pretty normal/expected reaction. (Bad analogy time: the brain hates it when you stick things in your eye, but if you choose to get contact lenses, you need to spend time forcing yourself to overcome this fundamental brain block, through repeatedly sticking a contact lens in your eye (gently).) This gets better with time on the mat. Train safely, brother.

[@SouthernJoker2023]

Yes being in half guard sucks

[@xXCreamPuffsXx]

3:10 driving against his power

[@KnozD]

The other guy is hilarious. I bet he has a black belt sarcasm game too

[@funkyflights]

Nice explanation thanks

[@02468]

Chew with that fresh fade in 2019!

[@austmo516]

Thanks again Chewy!

[@ClaarTube]

Do you sell iron squirrel t-shirts? You should.

[@freezy4739]

I need to know where to get those matts 😊

[@PauloBerni699]

Solid concepts with a recurring theme throughout the opponent’s positional variations.

[@Chewjitsu]

Glad it made sense!

[@Mr10isfreak]

Thank you for sharing

[@cheeseburger952]

this is sick thank you

[@Chase1297]

Who tf disliked

[@magik1204]

Chew this is gold

[@Flbari]

I hate half guard

[@TonyFernandezjkdjedi]

Chewjitsu Gold .. and your buddys gi is SICK! WANT!

[@kadinevanrooyen5312]

Great tips.

[@TruthSubjective]

Thank You!

[@leaoaugusto]

THNAK YOU

[@majin_kennels7987]

Helpful

[@andersonbrandao4455]

Obrigado.

[@yurisghost9107]

Wait, wait... triangle half-guard game? That’s a thing? White belt mind blown!

[@batmanwayne4977]

My problem is I get smashed in half that, side control, mount, knee on belly, guard, North south, south North, independently of wether I am on to our bottom...I am rather sucky at this

[@martinjnagy]

3:10

[@TheWizzkid67]

That was loads great information ill be trying out tonight.

[@kevinconanbankens5258]

👍

[@lord_Errykson]

Spent the past month getting smashed by a teammate twice my size in the half guard ima try this tomorrow and see if it works y’all wish me luck 🙃

[@DeadAExp]

was going to thumbs up but saw it at 666. leaving it there

[@mikeg8543]

Chewy is fixing all the holes in my game 🤣

[@cubix456]

초보라도 쉽게 이해하고 따라할수 있겠네요

[@ChitrakChattopadhyay]

3:39 - me to myself when i get pinned.

[@andrewlabit]

Adam for president

[@Chewjitsu]

Adam. . .

[@michaelschulz2857]

Gonna try this tonigh TY

[@jorgeherrera1074]

Yes!!! Thank you!! Needed this

[@shawnharvick131]

Thanks for this!

[@lima_wawae6283]

Adams head nod @ 2:45 😆

[@trustyourlender]

Best video yet!!!

[@33iknow]

Adam scares me...

[@thedxdydz]

No lockdown?

[@TheSmarkpaul]

Love this!

[@artemthetrain14]

Chewjitsu vs Coach Tom Davey make it happen

[@Chewjitsu]

What do you mean vs?

[@juleswatson8298]

Excellent!

[@589bluescaledragon]

Lightbulb

[@ahmadaman4178]

Cool !

[@scottbolen3996]

Great video Chewy!! Well done. OSS!

[@Chewjitsu]

Thanks brother.

[@BayouGrove]

Any chance of trapping the arm, not allowing him to post, and just rolling him taking top position?

[@KosRoss]

BayouGrove It would be very difficult without under-hook when your opponent already smashing your chest and shoulders (may work on lighter or not experienced opponents), but after getting it it’s much easier to pin your opponent’s hand by reaching with your under-hook hand to your same side shoulder and grabbing something (or just extending your hand over the head parallel to your body). Then you just roll to the same side once more:)

[@MangoTheRetriever]

This is so good!

[@Chewjitsu]

Thanks!

[@MangoTheRetriever]

Thank you!!!

[@uipize]

is there a good chance to just sweep him after he flats you ? he has the underhook, so you could overhook and block his post for the sweep ? but maybe he pressure in your face will stop you ?

[@Chewjitsu]

It's possible but usually they adjust to quickly for that.