Mastering Deep Half Guard: How to Enter and Execute Powerful Sweeps with Joao Paulo Bertuccelli

Unlocking the Power of Deep Half Guard

Deep half guard is one of the most dynamic and aggressive positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), allowing you to off-balance opponents and launch explosive sweeps. Popularized by legends like Marcelo Garcia and refined by modern masters, it's a staple for no-gi and gi grapplers alike. In this guide, we'll dive into the teachings of black belt Joao Paulo Bertuccelli, a renowned competitor and coach, on how to seamlessly enter deep half and execute game-changing sweeps. Whether you're training for BJJ tournaments, MMA rounds, or just sharpening your mat skills, these techniques will elevate your bottom game.

Bertuccelli emphasizes patience, precise grips, and explosive timing—key elements that translate perfectly to the chaos of MMA sparring or submission wrestling. Gear up with a quality gi from brands like Fuji or Tatami, or rash guards from Venum for no-gi sessions, to ensure smooth transitions without fabric snags.

Perfecting Your Entry into Deep Half Guard

Entering deep half guard isn't about forcing it; it's about baiting your opponent into the perfect setup. Start from a standard half guard or butterfly guard, where you control their posture and far leg.

Step 1: Establish Initial Control

Secure a deep grip on their far sleeve or wrist with your near hand.
Use your other hand to cup behind their triceps or control their belt line.
Bridge your hips slightly to flatten them out, preventing them from basing out.

Bertuccelli stresses keeping your head tight to their belly to block their passing attempts. This entry works great in MMA, where you can transition from takedown defense.

Step 2: Dive Deep Under the Legs

Release the sleeve grip momentarily and shoot your head and shoulder under their far leg.
Your bottom arm threads deeply between their legs, palm up, grabbing your own shin or ankle for the lock-in.
Elevate their hips with your free leg (often in butterfly hook position) to create space.

Pro Tip: If they post their hand on the mat, immediately attack their wrist or elbow to neutralize it. This prevents the common knee-cut pass.

Step 3: Secure the Position

Once under, rotate your hips so your knee line faces their hips.
Clamp your elbows tight to your ribs—no space for them to shrimp out.
Your head pressure on their thigh keeps them off-balance.

Practice this entry drilling slowly at first, then with resistance. It's applicable in wrestling scenarios too, blending seamlessly with single-leg defenses.

Essential Sweeps from Deep Half

Now that you're in, it's sweep time. Bertuccelli demos several variations, each countering common reactions.

The Basic Deep Half Sweep

This is your bread-and-butter move for beginners to advanced. 1. From deep half, grip their far ankle with your deep arm. 2. Your other hand posts on their hip or grabs their belt. 3. Explode by pushing their hip away while pulling the ankle across your body. 4. Bridge hard and hip escape to roll them over your body.

Bertuccelli notes: Time it when they lean forward to pass— their weight shifts perfectly for the sweep.

Underhook Sweep Variation

When they counter by basing heavy: 1. Switch your deep arm to an underhook inside their near leg. 2. Grip their opposite armpit or shoulder. 3. Lift and rotate: Pull them down as you bridge up. 4. Follow through to top mount or knee ride.

This sweep shines in no-gi MMA, where underhooks control posture amid strikes.

The Get-Up Sweep (Advanced)

For when they stand to pass: 1. Maintain ankle grip and transition your free hand to their heel. 2. Sit up explosively, keeping your head low. 3. Trip their standing leg while pushing their planted knee. 4. Land in top position or chain to a leg attack.

Bertuccelli warns: Stay glued to their legs—distance kills the momentum.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

Even pros slip up. Here's how to avoid pitfalls:

Mistake: Loose grips. Fix: Drill grip fighting from the start.

Mistake: Head too high. Fix: Bury it to block underhooks.

Mistake: No hip elevation. Fix: Always load your butterfly hook.

Over-reliance on strength. Focus on angles and timing instead.

Incorporate these into live rolls. For Muay Thai or kickboxing cross-trainers, deep half helps recover guard after clinch takedowns.

Drilling and Progression Tips

Solo Drills: Shadow enter and sweep on a heavy bag or dummy.
Partner Drills: 10 reps per side, then add resistance.
Live Application: Start rounds in half guard, force the entry.
Gear Recommendations: Use durable shin guards like Fairtex for no-gi to protect during scrambles, or a snug BJJ gi from Origin for gi work.

Progress from white belt basics to black belt chains: Entry > Sweep > Top control > Submission (like armbar or triangle).

Why Deep Half Fits Every Fighter

From BJJ purists to UFC contenders, deep half disrupts posture and creates offense from 'bad' positions. Bertuccelli's system is battle-tested in competitions worldwide. Integrate it into your MMA game for better scrambling and guard retention.

Ready to level up? Head to Apollo MMA for top-tier BJJ gear, from Hyperfly gis to Sanabul rash guards, and hit the mats with confidence. Train smart, sweep hard!

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