: Effective half guard is played from your side, not flat on your back. Shrimping and hip-pivoting help you maintain this angle. Common Retention Techniques
: Protecting your head is paramount. If an opponent can pin your head (usually with a cross-face), they can flatten your shoulders to the mat, making retention nearly impossible. Half Guard Retention
: Use a knee shield (top leg across the chest or hip) to keep the opponent's weight off you. If they collapse the shield, use your bottom leg to pull yourself in or re-adjust your position. : Effective half guard is played from your
Half guard retention is a critical defensive skill in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that focuses on preventing your opponent from passing your legs and securing a pin when you are in the bottom half guard position. If an opponent can pin your head (usually
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