: When your shield is flattened, you may need to "low leg" or shrimp out to create space and re-insert the top knee to reset the distance. Highly Recommended Instructionals
: 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. Half Guard Retention
: 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. : When your shield is flattened, you may
: 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 your opponent wins the inside position, they
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.