Half Guard Retention Official

: 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

: If an opponent tries to circle around your legs, you can use an inside spin across your shoulders to re-insert your knees and recover a full guard or a better half guard. : Always strive to keep your feet, knees,

: 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. If an opponent can pin your head (usually

: 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.