We watched all the best half guard instructionals on BJJ Fanatics and ranked them for you based on the structure, teaching quality and the techniques they choose to show. We tell you who each instructional set is for, what you’ll learn, when to skip it and smart alternatives.
The Half Guard Anthology
A complete, troubleshot half guard system with narrated rolling that gives you answers in every branch.
The Coyote Half Guard
A proven underhook-half system that turns dogfight into high-percentage sweeps and back takes.
The Battle Tested Half Guard
Beginner-friendly deep-half and single-leg half guard that wins with pressure and clear grips.
📋 Jump to a review (Click to expand)
🥋 #1 The Half Guard Anthology by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Footage Breakdown
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 12 hours and 14 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Have answers for everything
Techniques: Knee Shield, Underhook Half
- Half Guard: BJJ Fundamentals (Go Further Faster) – Concept-first half guard, slower pace and heavy principles.
- Systematically Attacking From Half Guard – Aggressive half butterfly focus for advanced no-gi players.
- The Coyote Half Guard – Underhook-half specialist path if you love dogfight.
You will learn a full half guard roadmap with clear transitions. You will see narrated rolling that shows timing and decision-making. You will not get a loose move dump or random drills.
✅ Pros
- The troubleshooting index shortens the path from problem to fix.
- Narrated rolling shows pressure-tested sequences in context.
- It connects half guard families, so you switch when opponents shut one down.
⚠️ Cons
- The runtime is long and can be intimidating at first.
- The no-gi presentation may require gi-specific tweaks.
- Requires deliberate study; casual viewing yields less return.
💡 I rate this highest because the troubleshooting index and live-roll narration turn it into a long-term reference, not a one-and-done watch. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 The Coyote Half Guard by Lucas Leite
Instructor: Lucas Leite
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 43 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Win from dogfight
Techniques: Coyote Half, Dogfight
- The Coyote Half Guard No Gi – Same ideas without the gi grips; no-gi focus.
- The Expanded Coyote Half Guard System (Gi) – Follow-up set with refinements and Q&A-style fixes.
- Killing The Coyote – If your room already plays coyote, learn the counters.
You will learn the core coyote entries, angles, and dogfight finishes. You will get a reliable half guard you can build around. You will not get much no-gi content unless you buy the no-gi version.
✅ Pros
- Underhook mechanics are clear and easy to test in sparring.
- Great for smaller athletes sweeping up bigger partners.
- The dogfight tree keeps you attacking without stalling.
⚠️ Cons
- Older production and pacing compared to newer releases.
- Mostly gi; purchase the no-gi edition if that is your lane.
- Narrower scope than anthology-style instructionals.
💡 I love how coyote simplifies decision-making: get the underhook, enter dogfight, then sweep or take the back with predictable grips. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #3 The Battle Tested Half Guard by Bernardo Faria
Instructor: Bernardo Faria
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Beginner
Format: Gi
Runtime: 3 hours and 8 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Keep pressure, finish
Techniques: Deep Half, Single Leg Half
- No Gi Half Guard – Same fundamentals translated to no-gi.
- Battle Tested Pressure Passing – Pair with half guard to round out top pressure.
You will learn a simple deep-half and single-leg half plan. You will understand how to pull half and connect to your best sweeps. You will not get modern knee-shield and clamp variations in depth.
✅ Pros
- Clear, beginner-ready sequencing with reliable finishes.
- Entries from standing help you get to half in live rounds.
- Bernardo’s instruction is concise and positive.
⚠️ Cons
- Heavy gi focus; no-gi athletes should consider the no-gi set.
- Less coverage of reverse/knee-shield families.
- Production is older than recent releases.
💡 I recommend this to beginners because it reduces options to high-percentage sweeps you can drill immediately. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #4 High Precision Half Guard & Reverse Half Guard by Jake Mackenzie
Instructor: Jake Mackenzie
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 43 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Hunt unique angles
Techniques: Reverse Half, Knee Twist Half
- High Precision Half Guard Vol. 2 – Follow-on set if you love his game.
- The Coyote Half Guard – Alternate underhook path if you prefer classic half.
You will learn reverse half entries, backstep counters, and deep-half chains. You will expand beyond coyote into angles your room rarely sees. You will not get a beginner primer or heavy lapel work.
✅ Pros
- Reverse half coverage is rare and highly actionable.
- Pairs well with coyote to diversify your threats.
- Jake explains subtle weight shifts clearly.
⚠️ Cons
- More advanced; basic frames and entries assumed.
- Some sections feel no-gi biased in grips.
- Angles require reps before they feel natural.
💡 I value this when rooms over-prepare for coyote; reverse half gives you a second lane with instant surprises. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Half Domination by Tom DeBlass
Instructor: Tom DeBlass
Style: Technique Collection, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 2 hours and 31 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Move and attack now
Techniques: Half Butterfly, Knee Shield
- Half Guard Domination 2.0 – Updated structure and refinements on the core game.
- Deep Half Guard Domination – If you specifically want deep half focus.
You will learn half-butterfly, knee-shield, and deep-half entries with clear objectives. You will get both bottom and top perspectives. You will not get the same level of system cohesion as anthology-style sets.
✅ Pros
- Packs many usable moves with minimal filler.
- Covers both sides of half guard in one purchase.
- Direct teaching style helps you apply quickly.
⚠️ Cons
- Less cohesive than newer, fully systemized releases.
- Navigation on old VODs can be clunky.
- Mixed community results; try on a deal first.
💡 I slot this as a budget-friendly workhorse: lots of reps, less theory, and an easy add when it is on sale. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 The Ground Marshal Half Guard by Neil Melanson
Instructor: Neil Melanson
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 56 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Attack from overhooks
Techniques: Overhook Series, Shoulder Pin
- Top Half Guard – If you want to emphasize top pressure and passing.
You will learn shoulder-pin and overhook attacks most rooms never see. You will connect to front headlock and choke chains from half. You will not get gi-specific instruction or a classic underhook approach.
✅ Pros
- Unique concepts that create unfamiliar problems for opponents.
- Strong integration with front headlock and choke chains.
- Clear explanations of control mechanics.
⚠️ Cons
- Traditionalists may dismiss some sequences as low percentage.
- Not ideal for gi grip development.
- Requires mat time to integrate with standard half guard.
💡 I recommend this when your room has seen every underhook variation; overhook and shoulder-pin chains create new lanes. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 The Precise Half Guard by Lucas Lepri
Instructor: Lucas Lepri
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 42 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Win with timing
Techniques: Knee Shield, Wrestle Up
- The Science of Guard Passing – Pairs conceptually with bottom half decisions.
You will tighten frames, timing, and wrestle-ups. You will connect bottom half decisions to passing concepts. You will not get much no-gi content or flash.
✅ Pros
- Strong emphasis on clean mechanics that scale.
- Complements Lepri’s renowned passing pedagogy.
- Great fit for gi competitors.
⚠️ Cons
- Not the most entertaining pacing.
- Assumes working knowledge of frames and grips.
- Limited no-gi transfer out of the box.
💡 I recommend this if you love crisp details and want bottom half that mirrors Lepri’s passing logic. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #8 The Roger Gracie Half Guard System by Roger Gracie
Instructor: Roger Gracie
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 24 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Simplicity wins
Techniques: Old School Sweeps, Half To Mount
- Roger Gracie Guard Passing System – Complements half with his famous pressure passing.
You will learn simple, effective half guard that scales to black belt. You will connect to mount for high-percentage finishes. You will not get modern half butterfly or clamp depth.
✅ Pros
- Competition-proven mechanics with minimal fluff.
- Great integration with passing and mount chokes.
- Fits classic, fundamentals-driven games.
⚠️ Cons
- Reported audio issues in at least one release.
- Less coverage of modern half variations.
- Short, minimalist explanations may feel sparse.
💡 I rate Roger’s half as a model of economy: few moves, refined mechanics, consistent results. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #9 Half Guard Encyclopedia by Leonardo Nogueira
Instructor: Leonardo Nogueira
Style: Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Gi
Runtime: 7 hours and 50 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Many gi options
Techniques: Deep Half, Waiter Sweep
- The Buchecha Half Guard – Another heavyweight perspective on half guard.
You will learn many gi options for deep half and waiter sweeps. You will get a broad reference rather than a strict system. You will not get much no-gi or modern clamp content.
✅ Pros
- Broad coverage makes it a good long-term reference.
- Strong deep half mechanics with clear grips.
- Often discounted on Daily Deals.
⚠️ Cons
- Less cohesive than system-first sets.
- Heavyweight examples may not fit smaller athletes.
- Limited no-gi applicability.
💡 I list this as a value reference for gi players who want heavyweight-proven deep half and waiter options. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #10 The Action-Reaction Half Guard by Matheus Diniz
Instructor: Matheus Diniz
Style: System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 27 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Force reactions
Techniques: Wrestle Up, Leg Weave Counters
- Wrestle-Up From Guard (various sets) – If you primarily want stand-ups from guard contexts.
You will learn to create predictable reactions and wrestle up. You will get counters to leg-weave style passing. You will not get a gi-focused breakdown or slow-paced primer.
✅ Pros
- Action-first approach helps you score quickly.
- Good answers to modern no-gi passing staples.
- Built by a recent ADCC champ.
⚠️ Cons
- Smaller footprint of community reviews to verify impact.
- Less suitable for pure gi players.
- Timing-heavy; needs athletic reps.
💡 I recommend this for no-gi grapplers who want to wrestle up from half as a primary scoring route. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #11 Simplify The System: Half Guard Mastery by Brian Glick
Instructor: Brian Glick
Style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Both
Runtime: 7 hours and 38 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Clamp to control
Techniques: Clamp Guard, Half Butterfly
- Half Butterfly Mastery – If half-butterfly is your main focus.
You will learn clamp and half-butterfly sequences with clear progressions. You will get Danaher-style structure without marathon length. You will not get anthology-level breadth or lots of repetition.
✅ Pros
- Concise lessons reduce time-to-mat.
- Clamp integration helps against bigger opponents.
- Great structure for coaches teaching systems.
⚠️ Cons
- Short segments may feel too brief for some.
- Pricey unless purchased on sale.
- Less breadth than comprehensive anthologies.
💡 I like this for time-poor players who want a structured clamp and half-butterfly curriculum without hours of repetition. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #12 The Buchecha Half Guard by Marcus Almeida
Instructor: Marcus Almeida
Style: Technique Collection
Best for: Intermediate
Format: Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 56 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Explode from shield
Techniques: Knee Shield, Lever Sweeps
- The Half Guard Anthology – More cohesive system and troubleshooting.
- The Coyote Half Guard – Underhook-half with simpler decision-making.
You will get athletic knee-shield and lever-based options. You will see a competitor’s flavor of half guard. You will not get deep structure or exhaustive troubleshooting.
✅ Pros
- Helpful for taller athletes who prefer movement-based half.
- Covers several half guard variants quickly.
- Pairs with modern passing studies for full games.
⚠️ Cons
- Community reports of thin structure and mixed clarity.
- Less depth than top-ranked systems.
- Not ideal for pressure-based or slow games.
💡 I suggest skipping unless you specifically want Buchecha’s flavor; better-structured options exist for most readers. Recommendation: Skip.
Gi or No-Gi Half Guard: Which Should You Buy First?
If you mostly train in the gi, start with underhook-half systems like Coyote or Faria. They teach dependable grips, dogfight sequences, and high-percentage sweeps your partners will recognize but still struggle to stop. If you are no-gi dominant, prioritize knee-shield, half-butterfly, and wrestle-ups. Systems from Giles, Melanson, and Diniz emphasize frames, overhooks, and timing rather than lapels. Many core concepts transfer both ways, but buying for your main ruleset speeds results.
Beginner Path: Two Sets to Build a Reliable Half Guard
New to half guard? Start with Bernardo Faria’s Battle Tested Half Guard to get simple deep-half and single-leg half sweeps you can hit this week. Then add Lachlan Giles’ Half Guard Anthology for troubleshooting and alternate families like reverse half and sit-up guard. This two-step path gives you a base game plus answers when opponents counter.
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