Systematically Attacking The Half Guard and Scrimmaging: Whizzer vs Underhook by Gordon Ryan

What Will You Learn?

Solve One of Jiu-Jitsu’s Biggest Battles — With Gordon Ryan

There’s a moment in nearly every roll that determines everything…

You’re in the half guard scrimmage.
One player has the underhook.
The other has the whizzer.

Who wins—and why?

In Systematically Attacking The Scrimmage: Half Guard – Whizzer vs Underhook, Gordon Ryan breaks down one of the most common—and misunderstood—positions in all of Jiu-Jitsu, and turns it into a clear, repeatable system you can rely on every time.

Widely regarded as the most accomplished No-Gi grappler of all time, Gordon is known for his unmatched submission rate and his ability to teach complex positions with precision and clarity. This series is a perfect example of that.

He doesn’t just show moves—he explains the why, the when, and the exact details that make them work at the highest level.

Why This Series Is Essential

• Master A Universal Position – The whizzer vs underhook battle happens in nearly every match
• Simplified, Systematic Approach – Gordon breaks a complex scrimmage into clear, actionable steps
• Built For Real Results – Learn what actually works against resisting opponents
• From The Best To Ever Do It – Study the systems behind one of the highest submission rates in grappling history
• Meticulous Instruction – Every detail is explained so you understand, not just memorize

What You’ll Learn

• How to win the underhook vs whizzer battle consistently
• The key principles that determine control, balance, and dominance in the scrimmage
• How to turn small positional wins into sweeps, passes, or submissions
• Gordon’s approach to decision-making in chaotic half guard exchanges
• The exact adjustments that make techniques work against high-level resistance
• How to chain attacks together seamlessly once you gain the advantage

Who This Is For

• Grapplers who get stuck in half guard scrambles and want clear answers
• Anyone looking to turn a confusing position into a predictable system
• Competitors who want an edge in one of the most common exchanges in grappling
• Students who value detailed, high-level instruction that actually translates

Gordon Ryan has built his legacy on solving Jiu-Jitsu’s toughest problems—and making them look simple.

This is one of them.

Stop guessing in the scrimmage.
Start winning it—systematically.

What Exactly Do You Get?

PART 1 – Core Concepts & Framework

• Intro
• Jiu-Jitsu vs Wrestling / Half Guard
• Advantage for the Underhook
• General Directions
• Push-Pull Theory
• Hooking the Leg
• Battle of the Knees Overview
• General Scenarios
• Knees Up vs Knees Down

PART 2 – Attacking From The Underhook

Fundamentals

• Intro to Attacking From Underhook
• Hand Positions
• Killing the Whizzer

Front Headlock & Core Reactions

• Countering Front Headlock (Tight Waist / Height / Ankle Grip)
• Cutback
• Constant Kazushi
• Waist to Front Headlock

Whizzer Counters & Transitions

• Countering Strong Whizzer with Roll Through
• Failed Roll Through to the Back
• Failed Back Take → Hook the Leg

Primary Attacks

• Far Knee Tap
• Knee Tap to Pinch Headlock
• Bodylock

PART 3 – Movement, Control & Winning The Scrimmage

• Pull Through
• Run to the Far Hip
• Collecting the Nearside Leg
• Pinning vs Stuffing
• Body Position
• Back vs Pin Dilemma
• Importance of the Half Guard Interface

Counters & Reactions

• Countering Knee Slide to Front Headlock
• Cutback
• Countering an Inversion
• Countering Hard Whizzer with Roll Through
• Roll Through to Back Take
• Run to the Far Hip

PART 4 – Advanced Control & Leg Entries

• Inserting the Far Hook
• Knee Down → Knee Tap
• Bodylock / Pinch Headlock Options

Leg Positioning & Control

• Shelving the Legs
• Shelving the Leg on the Inside Hip
• Shelving the Leg Outside Hip

Counters & Reactions

• Kani Basami Defense
• Circling Opponent Down
• Opponent Relinquishes Whizzer → Back Take

Leg Attacks & Wrestling Ups

• Entering Cross Ashi
• Follow to Inside Hip Single
• Reverse Collar Tie
• Running the Pipe
• Following to Single Leg

PART 5 – Leg Entanglements & Problem Solving

• Entering Ashi Garami
• Pinning the Leg – Similarities & Differences
• Opponent Steps Over Your Leg
• Theory of the Covered Hips

Extraction & Recovery

• Extracting the Leg vs Stuff
• Compromised Underhook → Entering Legs
• Extracting the Leg vs Pin
• Compromised Underhook / V-Grip and Extract

Counters

• Countering an Inside Shelf
• Countering Far Hook Insertion (Early Stage)
• Countering Far Hook Insertion (Late Stage)

PART 6 – Overhook (Whizzer) System

• Intro into Overhook
• Instructional Paradoxes
• General Advantages & Disadvantages
• Whizzer Placement
• Balancing Act
• Negating Locked Hands

Counters & Defense

• Countering Bodylock
• Countering Roll Through
• Countering Front Headlock

Transitions

• Inserting Far Hook
• Chasing the Far Hip
• Collecting a Leg
• Countering Leg Entrances
• Bodylock
• Inside Hip Shelf

PART 7 – Advanced Counters & Scramble Mastery

• Stuffing vs Pinning – Similarities & Differences
• Extracting a Leg vs Pin
• Opponent Steps Over Your Leg
• Extracting a Leg vs Stuff
• Keeping Hands Separated

Defensive Systems

• Countering Bodylock
• Uchi Mata
• Countering Roll Through
• Countering Back Take

Leg Position Counters

• Countering Inside Hip Shelf
• Countering Outside Hip Shelf
• Countering Far Hook Insertion (Early Stage)
• Countering Far Hook Insertion (Late Stage)

Transitions

• Entering the Legs
• Outro

PART 8 – Live Application

Rolling Footage

• Rolling – Rainy
• Rolling – Dominic
• Rolling – Landon
• Rolling – Rainy

Commentary

• Rolling Commentary – Rainy
• Rolling Commentary – Dominic
• Rolling Commentary – Landon
• Rolling Commentary – Rainy