The evolution of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has seen countless waves of innovative and creative techniques that will certainly continue long into the future.  The increase in focus on techniques like berimbolos and leg attacks over the last five years or so has rippled...

 A good half guard player can seem to endlessly frustrate all of our attempts to apply pressure and attempt to pass to side control or some other dominate position.  If a bottom half guard player builds strong frames with their arms and combines...

Half guard has recently become one of the most popular positions for all levels of BJJ practitioner.  There are a number of stages of development that half guard players will undergo during their time on the mats. Desperate times call for Half Guard...

Playing half guard from the bottom can be a very powerful addition to your guard game as you will be able to stop guard passes, withstand incredible pressure, initiate base destroying sweeps, and even launch deadly submissions. The bottom hook The bottom leg,...

One of the top proponent's of the half guard position today is Tom DeBlass.  His ability to smash through the half guards of his opponents to secure devastating submissions when on top or to keep some of the largest most fierce opponents at...

The half guard has long been seen as the “simple” guard, “lazy” guard and even “old man” guard.  The question we ask today is, is the half guard really simple?  This is tough because there is no easy answer.  It is like any...

Half guard was once considered a last ditch attempt to prevent one's guard from being passed.  It wasn't until the 1990's when the position became recognized for it's offensive potential through the BJJ game of Roberto "Gordo" Correa, who was actually dealing with...

The under hook and cross face can be some of the hardest things to deal with as a guard player, particularly a half guard player.  The under hook and cross face separately are very difficult to deal with, but the combination of both...

The half butterfly is one of the best hybrid guards there is.  It is one of the most simple and effective guards.  The half butterfly is an extremely versatile position; it works very well in gi, nogi, and MMA. Why is the half...

The kimura is one of the most dynamic submissions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  Entire systems have been developed using the kimura grip as their base.  It is a mainstay in every high level competitors aresenal. If you want to further understand the versatility...

For anyone that follows the career of the inimitable Tom DeBlass, you know that he is most well-known for his No Gi competitive grappling, winning three ADCC North American Trials and multiple IBJJF titles.  But he also has a solid foundation in gi...

Tom DeBlass is no stranger to the role of pressure in one's life.  Tom DeBlass is curently a world-class jiu jitsu competitor, a former multi-title Ring of Combat champion, Bellator and UFC veteran, a successful business owner and a leader of a growing...

The half guard is one of the first guards many bjj practitioners are introduced to.  Half guard has long been one of the most famous guards and has been proven effective at the highest levels of competition by the likes of Bernardo Faira,...

The half guard has gone from being a position of desperation for someone who is about to have their guard passed to frantically cling to one of their opponent's legs just delaying the inevitable in early days of BJJ to a powerful position...

Takedowns are one of the most crucial aspects of bjj, but, unfortunately, they are also one of the most neglected aspects of bjj.  Many people overlook the benefits of establishing a good takedown game and fail to develop their takedowns.  This may be...