Half Guard Retention – Trusted

: Always strive to keep your feet, knees, and elbows "inside"—between your body and your opponent's. If your opponent wins the inside position, they are much closer to passing.

: 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. : Always strive to keep your feet, knees,

: 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 If an opponent can pin your head (usually

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.

: Use your arms to create "frames" (stiff structures) against the opponent's neck, shoulders, or hips to prevent them from securing a cross-face or chest-to-chest control.

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