Transition from Half Guard to Mount

1/11 - Downtown

We did a little (very little) technique work on improve mount position, mainly on how to get the last remnant of your leg free as they are clinging to half guard. Lots of rolling. At the end of class, James talked about being controlled during your rolls and not spazzing out. He used me as an example of someone that is very controlled and doesn't spaz. He also mentioned that downside of that which is you tend to give up positions instead of substituting a physical attribute when technique fails (i.e. strength/speed).

Set-up: You are transitioning to mount. L knee and foot is mounted and R knee is on floor next to opponent's L side but they have your R foot trapped.

1. Free Knee and Move to Cross-Body: Get underhooks and walk your fingers up until their elbows are past their head. Flare your elbows out but keep your chest on their face so they can't swim their arms under yours. Get your hands out toward their elbows. If you're trying to walk your fingers while your hands are under their armpits or top part of their bicep you're going to fail. Bring L knee up to their butt and kick your R leg out to the R. You're moving your leg into the gap between theirs.

2. Free Knee and Move to Mount: Same as above except keep walking your hands up until you can get them to overlap each other, like you're doing CPR on someone. Roll your torso down and forward, and use your L foot on their R hip to help free your R leg.

3. Trap Shin and Roll to Back Mount: Turn entire torso to the left so you're facing their butt. Cross your L shin over their R shin (your feet don't have to be crossed). Roll as tight as you can toward their tailbone. Should end up near back-mount with R hook in. Block their L thigh from coming up with your L hand and straighten your R leg so they can't bring their R leg around. Reach behind their neck and around with your R hand and get L hook in.


We started with flow rolls and I just felt lame b/c I froze on sweeps and could only execute the scissor sweep. For heaven's sakes. I think we were going for about 5 minutes a round and switched partners 3-4 times. Then we rolled for real. Competitors on the mats at all times, fresh opponent if mount or submission is obtained. There were 5 competitors and 6 others, so pretty much everyone was going without rest.

I had a long roll with Kyle. He had dominant position the entire time, but I was defending adequately. I think he finally finished me with a kimura. In fact, I think I got finished by a kimura a lot. Rolled with James 2-3 times, Manny once (quick finish by him), Chris and Matt.

Matt and I rolled at the end class...might have been about 10 minutes. Lots of transitions on both sides. He finally got me with something, arm-bar maybe?

Quite a bit of rolling but felt good...more on deck for tomorrow, as we are planning on doing 2hrs straight rolling. Mama mia.