A simple, sturdy half guard you can trust against bigger players.
The Bottom Line
You learn how to build half guard around knee shield, deep half, and dogfight, then connect sweeps and back takes. Narrated sparring clarifies timing and typical reactions. If you only play no-gi, you will need to translate some grips.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Bottom players, all sizes
Skip if: You avoid half guard
Tech focus: Deep Half Guard, Knee Shield, Single Leg, Underhook Dogfight, Back Takes
Biggest takeaway: Win half guard with timing and underhooks.
📋 Jump to a section (Click to expand)
What You'll Learn
Bernardo’s signature bottom game distilled into a four-part plan: knee shield half, deep half, underhook dogfight, and counter-passing traps. He adds narrated sparring to show timing and decision points. r/bjj users frequently call it a beginner-friendly gateway to effective half guard. Expect classic gi grips and options that scale to heavier opponents.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Deep Half Guard
- Knee Shield
- Single Leg
- Underhook Dogfight
- Back Takes
- Sweeps
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Footage Breakdown
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: Gi
- Runtime: 3 hours and 8 minutes
- Volumes: 4
- Released: 2019
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I stopped stalling in knee shield once I committed to underhooks and immediate dogfight timing.
Why Bernardo Faria?
Bernardo Faria is widely regarded as one of the best half guard players ever. He competed for Alliance and won multiple IBJJF Worlds at super-heavy and absolute. BJJ Heroes and Wikipedia note he was IBJJF athlete of the year in 2015 and joined the Hall of Fame in 2022. He is also a respected instructor known for clear, calm delivery.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Very good beginner half guard set; easy to apply.
- Narrated rolls helped me understand timing and choices.
- Cheap and practical; strong results quickly.
- Pairs well with his no-gi half guard for cross-training.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Deep half can feel risky; closer to being passed.
- Mostly gi focused; fewer no-gi adjustments.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- The No Gi Half Guard – Same concepts adapted for no-gi grips and pace. (Price: $79.00)
- The Coyote Half Guard – Alternative half style built around dogfight entries. (Price: $79.00)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View The Battle Tested Half Guard on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
