Sensei Xande explains half-guard body positioning

Today at Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu Austin

Half-guard passing and body positioning

The most important thing about half-guard passing 

Position, pressure and direction. 

Do you need the cross-face to pass the half guard?

You can pass the half guard without it. Crossface is always the go-to move because it kills the ability of the other person to regain their guard. If your opponent can’t move their head, they’re unable to connect their shoulder to their elbow. Once that option is blocked you can do alternative moves like going over the shoulder.

The ultimate hold is the super-hold: cross-face and underhook. 

What to do when people have their frames very well positioned 

Drive your chest to make the person open their elbow above their body. Use your entire body to move the arm.

Things that people get wrong the most

Not using their feet to drive weight. Neglecting the idea of getting mount and choosing to pass to side control before making an effort to center their body to get the mount. 

What to do when your foot gets stuck. ¾ Mount.

Threat a Saulo choke. With this, your opponent will have to reposition their body to the other side and let go of the hook. 

You can also use your other hook inside the thigh. With a super hold, controlling their upper body.