Top 16 Best Half Guard Instructionals (Ranked & Reviewed)

The most complete half guard instructional you can buy. Giles covers every family (knee shield, underhook, dogfight, reverse half, RDLR, sit-up guard, shin-to-shin) with dedicated troubleshooting for each position. If you only buy one half guard instructional, this is the one.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~10 hours across 8 DVDs
• 📅 Released: 2019
• 🥋 Gi and No-Gi
• 🎯 All levels (intermediate ideal)
• 🕸 Complete Half Guard System

What It Covers

The Anthology is organized by half guard family. DVD 1 covers entries against kneeling and standing opponents. DVD 2 handles crossface underhook recovery, switch base, and quarter guard escapes. DVD 3 is the Z guard/knee shield volume with kimura systems and troubleshooting. DVD 4 covers underhook half guard principles and counter-strategies. DVD 5 addresses the kneecut underhook, reverse half guard, backstep half, and dogfight attacks. DVD 6 introduces sit-up guard and shin-to-shin. DVD 7 covers reverse De La Riva with back attacks, spinning attacks, and waiter sweeps. DVD 8 features narrated rolls with Kit Dale showing the full system in live sparring.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Troubleshooting sections for every position tell you exactly what to do when your attacks get shut down. No other half guard instructional does this.
• Covers transitions between half guard families, so you know when to switch from knee shield to underhook to dogfight based on your opponent’s reactions
• Kit Dale narrated rolls on DVD 8 show real-time decision-making under pressure
• Equally applicable to gi and no-gi training, unlike most half guard sets that favor one format
• Best hours-per-dollar ratio: 10+ hours at ~$77 compared to Danaher’s 11 hours at $197

What the Community Says

Complete half guard system that covers absolutely everything. Organized in a system that not only teaches you but encourages you to build upon it.

BJJ World (5/5 rating)

Most complete half guard roadmap I have used; it covers every bad spot and links positions.

BJJ forum community feedback

Weakness

Covers breadth over depth in some positions. If you want the absolute deepest coverage of Z guard specifically, Craig Jones’ Make Z Guard Great Again goes further. For deep half specifically, Bernardo Faria’s Battle Tested is more focused. Giles gives you a strong foundation in everything, but specialists may want a second, focused instructional for their primary position.

My Recommendation

Best for: The single best purchase for anyone who wants one instructional covering all half guard positions. Ideal for intermediate practitioners filling gaps in their game.

Avoid if: you already have a complete half guard game and only need specialist-level depth on one specific position.

Pairs with: Craig Jones’ Make Z Guard Great Again for deeper knee shield work, or Bernardo Faria’s Battle Tested for deeper deep half coverage

11 hours of Danaher’s signature conceptual instruction applied to half guard. The Trilemma framework, Paradox of the Half Guard concept, and dedicated Whizzer Solutions volume address the strategic thinking that separates good half guard players from great ones.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~11 hours across 8 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2021
• 🥋 Gi-focused (concepts transfer to No-Gi, except Vol. 7 lapel work)
• 🎯 White belt through black belt
• 🕸 Conceptual Half Guard System

What It Covers

Volume 1 introduces half guard fundamentals and the Paradox concept: half guard is simultaneously strong for sweeping and passing. Volumes 2-3 cover elbow escape series, sumi gaeshi, and half butterfly transitions including scoop butterfly to deep half entries. Volume 4 introduces dominant grips with the nearside underhook and the Trilemma decision tree for opponent responses. Volume 5 lays out half guard “rules and laws” including parallel vs. perpendicular alignment and kuzushi principles. Volume 6 is the Whizzer Solutions volume addressing the 5 most common whizzer problems with specific counters including the limp arm technique. Volume 7 covers gi-specific lapel attacks. Volume 8 features the knee lever series, deep half entries, and reverse half guard concepts.

What Makes It Stand Out

• The “Paradox of the Half Guard” reframes how you think about the position strategically, not just technically
• Whizzer Solutions (Vol. 6) directly solves the single biggest problem half guard players face: the top player’s whizzer defense
• Trilemma decision trees give clear “if opponent does X, you do Y” logic rather than disconnected techniques
• Knee lever series in Vol. 8 offers unusual leverage-based attacks most opponents haven’t encountered
• Part of the Go Further Faster curriculum, so it connects seamlessly with Danaher’s guard retention, passing, and submission systems

What the Community Says

There’s hardly a better half guard instructional out there, gi or No-Gi.

BJJ World (5/5 rating)

This instructional goes over the most fundamental yet effective strategies from half guard. Suitable for any belt level but may seem very basic for advanced people.

Jofrey Ohri (Threads)

Weakness

11 hours is a serious time commitment. Some advanced practitioners find Danaher’s fundamentals pace too slow, spending time on concepts they already understand intuitively. At $197, it costs 2.5x more than Giles’ Anthology which covers similar breadth. The gi-specific lapel volume (Vol. 7) has limited no-gi application. If you want technique density over conceptual frameworks, Craig Jones or Lucas Leite deliver more moves per hour.

My Recommendation

Best for: Practitioners who want to understand why half guard works, not just what to do. Long-term students willing to study systematically over weeks.

Avoid if: you prefer concise, technique-focused instruction, or you primarily train no-gi and don’t want to pay for a gi-heavy lapel volume.

Pairs with: Danaher’s Guard Retention GFF for a complete bottom game, or Craig Jones’ Make Z Guard Great Again for knee shield depth Danaher doesn’t match

The definitive knee shield/Z guard instructional. Craig Jones covers both sides (attacking from Z guard AND passing it), with devastating kimura chains, Choi bar setups, and leg lock entries that make the knee shield a complete offensive platform.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~5 hours across 6 DVDs
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 No-Gi focused (applicable to Gi)
• 🎯 All levels (Filip Zanki: ‘literally everybody can use’)
• 🕸 Z Guard / Knee Shield Specialist

What It Covers

DVD 1 covers Z guard positioning, retention, and developing a dynamic knee shield. DVD 2 is unique: it teaches how to pass Z guard with the hip switch pass, headquarters position, weave pass, and the “Jason Rau Unassuming Bastard” pass. DVD 3 introduces the kimura system with thumbs grip variation, kimura-to-armbar chains, and Achilles triangle. DVD 4 covers the Choi bar (inverted armbar), armbar variations, “Yoko Ono” triangle, and omoplata entries. DVD 5 addresses leg locks with K guard back takes, single leg X entries, cross ashi garami finishes, and the “Floating Z” concept. DVD 6 covers exiting the guard and reinforced half guard.

What Makes It Stand Out

• The only half guard instructional that covers both attacking from AND passing Z guard. Understanding both sides gives you a massive competitive advantage.
• Kimura chain system is devastating: kimura > armbar > triangle > Choi bar creates a submission chain opponents can’t simply defend one piece of
• Leg lock entries from Z guard (cross ashi, backside heel hooks, outside heel hooks) turn the knee shield into a leg lock platform
• Filip Zanki at BJJ World gave every category 10/10, calling it one of the best instructionals he’d reviewed that year
• Craig Jones’ humor and engaging teaching style makes dense material digestible across belt levels

What the Community Says

I don’t think anybody on this earth knows more about Z guard and knee shield than Craig Jones. One of the best DVD instructionals I’ve seen this year.

Filip Zanki, BJJ World (10/10 rating)

Best place to learn Z guard; tons of nuance and structure. Small adjustments made my half guard effective quickly.

Reddit r/bjj community

Weakness

At $197 for ~5 hours, the price-per-hour is steep compared to Giles’ Anthology ($77 for 10 hours). It covers Z guard/knee shield only. If you need deep half, underhook half, lockdown, or half butterfly, you’ll need a second instructional like Giles’ Anthology or Danaher’s GFF. Primarily no-gi focused, so gi players may find some grip sequences less applicable.

My Recommendation

Best for: No-gi grapplers and ADCC-rules competitors who want elite knee shield details. Leg lock enthusiasts who want Z guard as a launching platform.

Avoid if: you need a complete half guard system (this covers one family only), or you’re on a budget and can only buy one instructional.

Pairs with: Lachlan Giles’ Half Guard Anthology covers the half guard families Jones doesn’t touch. Lucas Leite’s Coyote Half Guard adds the dogfight game that complements Z guard.

Cheaper alternative: Craig Jones’ Z Guard Encyclopedia (~$77) covers the basics if $197 is too much, though MZGGA supersedes it in every way.

The system that defined modern underhook half guard. Leite’s Coyote guard is built around the dogfight position and uses simple, leverage-based sweeps that work against opponents 100+ lbs heavier. The ‘Carry the Baby’ sweep alone is worth the price.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~3-4 hours across 4 DVDs
• 📅 Released: 2018
• 🥋 Gi-focused (No-Gi version available separately)
• 🎯 All levels, especially smaller practitioners
• 🕸 Underhook / Dogfight Specialist

What It Covers

Volume 1 covers entries into the Coyote half guard, D’arce choke defense, knee slice pass prevention, and dogfight position mechanics. Volume 2 introduces sweeps from knee shield, the signature “Carry the Baby” sweep (lifting opponents even 100+ lbs heavier), Russian 2-on-1 grip sweeps, dogbar submission, and kimura trap variations. Volume 3 covers octopus half guard transitions, X-guard transitions with toe hold attacks, mount prevention, and side control escapes. Volume 4 is scenario-based with sprawl counters, weave pass defense, the “wiggle-wiggle” sweep, back takes, and narrated rolling sessions.

What Makes It Stand Out

• The Carry the Baby sweep is immediately applicable and works against much larger opponents because it uses structural leverage, not strength
• Clear decision trees: dogfight path vs. Russian 2-on-1 path give you two reliable attacking routes from the same position
• Leite competes at ~165 lbs but voluntarily enters ultra-heavy divisions, proving these techniques work despite 100+ lb weight deficits
• One of BJJ Fanatics’ best-selling instructionals of all time, with a massive community of practitioners using the system
• Dogfight mechanics explained with precision that no other instructor matches because Leite is the acknowledged master of this position

What the Community Says

Lucas Leite truly perfected the Coyote half guard, and learning about this guard is best done through him.

BJJ World (5/5 rating, No-Gi version)

The instructional shed light on struggles with the dogfight position. I noticed an instant change in my success rate from the dogfight and the half guard in general.

BJJ-Spot reviewer

Weakness

At 3-4 hours, it’s significantly shorter than Giles’ Anthology (10h) or Danaher’s GFF (11h). Focuses narrowly on the Coyote/underhook system without covering Z guard, lockdown, or deep half in depth. The Gi version doesn’t translate perfectly to no-gi (separate purchase needed). To get the expanded system with X-guard and honey hole transitions, you need the Expanded Coyote Half Guard System (additional purchase).

My Recommendation

Best for: Smaller practitioners who need leverage-based sweeps against bigger training partners. Dogfight enthusiasts. Anyone wanting a simple, proven system to build their half guard around.

Avoid if: you need comprehensive half guard coverage (Z guard, deep half, etc. are missing). Giles’ Anthology covers more positions for the same price.

Pairs with: Craig Jones’ Make Z Guard Great Again adds the knee shield game Leite doesn’t cover. Bernardo Faria’s Battle Tested adds deep half.

5x World Champion Bernardo Faria’s half guard runs on two positions: single-leg half and deep half, with constant switching between them. It’s the most battle-tested system on this list, refined through years of winning World Championships from bottom half guard.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~3 hours across 4 DVDs
• 📅 Released: 2017
• 🥋 Gi-focused
• 🎯 Beginners to competitors
• 🕸 Deep Half / Single-Leg Half

What It Covers

DVD 1 covers guard entries, the single-leg half guard concept (Faria’s signature innovation), single-leg half sweeps, counter passes, and sweep finishing options. DVD 2 addresses reverse half guard, deep half guard sweeps, grip fighting for deep half, and transitions between single-leg half and deep half. DVD 3 features the “Turkish Get Up” technique combining deep half, single-leg half, and lapel sweeps, plus defenses against kimura, guillotine, and choke attacks from half guard, and omoplata setups. DVD 4 contains four narrated rolling sessions with instructor commentary on live decision-making.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Techniques proven at the absolute highest level: 5x World Championship wins from half guard
• Simple enough for beginners to implement within a week, with immediately applicable sweeps
• Narrated rolling sessions show real-time decision-making that most instructionals don’t provide
• The single-leg half guard concept is unique and innovative, giving you a sweep path opponents rarely encounter
• Clear two-position system (single-leg half + deep half) is easy to study and drill compared to encyclopedic sets

What the Community Says

Bernardo Faria is a 5 times World Champion, and most of his success is down to his prowess in just one position: the half guard.

BJJ World overview

For those new to half guard, Bernardo Faria’s Battle Tested Half Guard offers simple deep-half and single-leg half sweeps you can hit this week.

BJJ More

Weakness

At ~3 hours, it’s considerably shorter than Giles (10h) or Danaher (11h). Gi-focused with no dedicated no-gi version (you need his separate No-Gi Half Guard release). Doesn’t cover Z guard, knee shield, lockdown, or half butterfly. Less conceptual depth than Danaher: Faria shows what to do but less of the strategic “why.” No dedicated troubleshooting sections like Giles offers.

My Recommendation

Best for: Competitors who want proven World Championship techniques. Beginners who want immediately applicable sweeps. Deep half guard specialists.

Avoid if: you train primarily no-gi, or you want a comprehensive system covering all half guard families. Giles’ Anthology offers much more breadth at the same price point.

Pairs with: Lachlan Giles’ Half Guard Anthology fills in the Z guard, underhook, and RDLR positions Faria doesn’t cover

Jake Mackenzie is Canada’s most decorated BJJ athlete, and his reverse half guard system is genuinely unique. No other instructional covers this position with comparable depth. His knee cut pass defense section alone justifies the purchase for anyone struggling against modern passing.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~4 hours across 4 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2018
• 🥋 Gi-focused (heavy gi grip reliance)
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
• 🕸 Reverse Half Guard / Knee Cut Defense

What It Covers

The instructional opens with positioning fundamentals, underhook battles, and Mackenzie’s unique belt grip control system. Offensive attacks include the butt drag to double leg, back takes via underhook entries, Lucas Leite sweep variation, Ryan Hall variation, and deep half sweeps. The submission section covers the “Pretzeltine” (his guillotine variation), Palmieri lock, and omoplata finishes. The standout section is the complete reverse half guard system with sweeps and back takes. The knee cut pass defense section addresses the most common modern passing threat with the “Jedi Mind Trick” technique, transitions to X guard and De La Riva, omoplata counters, and back takes against the knee cut passer.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Reverse half guard system is genuinely unique: no other instructional covers this position with this depth
• Knee cut pass defense section directly addresses the #1 modern passing threat with multiple counters
• Belt grip control is an unusual approach that gives opponents problems they haven’t trained against
• Ryan Hall endorsed Mackenzie as “among the foremost experts in the world on the use of the half guard”
• Bernardo Faria saw Mackenzie’s reverse half guard and was ‘amazed’ because he’d ‘never seen it before’

What the Community Says

Jake Mackenzie is among the foremost experts in the world on the use of the half guard.

Ryan Hall

Jake’s Reverse Half Guard is the closest thing to indefensible that we have ever seen.

BJJ Fanatics

Weakness

Heavily gi-dependent with belt grip and lapel grip reliance. Limited no-gi application. Mackenzie is less well-known than DeBlass, Faria, or Danaher, so there’s less community discussion and supplementary YouTube content. Less comprehensive than Giles’ Anthology or Danaher’s GFF across all half guard families. No narrated rolling sections for real-world application context.

My Recommendation

Best for: Gi competitors looking for an unconventional half guard system opponents haven’t seen. Anyone struggling against knee cut passes.

Avoid if: you train primarily no-gi (the belt grip system doesn’t translate), or you want a complete system covering all half guard families.

Pairs with: Craig Jones’ Make Z Guard Great Again for the knee shield game Mackenzie doesn’t emphasize, or Lachlan Giles’ Anthology for comprehensive coverage

Paul Schreiner teaches the chain reactions between half guard positions. Where most instructionals show isolated techniques, Connected Reaction teaches the flows and transitions that connect them into a complete game. This is the thinking person’s half guard instructional.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~4 hours estimated
• 📅 Released: 2022
• 🥋 Gi and No-Gi applicable
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced (purple belt+ ideal)
• 🕸 Conceptual / Transitional Half Guard

What It Covers

Schreiner’s approach focuses on connected reactions: how your opponent’s defense to one attack creates the opening for the next. The instructional covers underhook sequences, knee shield transitions, how sweeps chain into back takes, and the positional flows between different half guard families. Rather than teaching 50 disconnected techniques, Schreiner builds a network of reactions where each defensive response from your opponent feeds your next attack.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Teaches the connections between positions rather than isolated techniques, giving you a flowing game
• Concepts-heavy approach builds problem-solving ability that adapts to any opponent’s reactions
• Schreiner’s teaching style is precise and methodical without Danaher’s verbosity
• Applicable to both gi and no-gi, with grip adaptations for each
• Fills the gap between knowing techniques and flowing between them in live rolling

What the Community Says

Schreiner might be the most underrated instructor on BJJ Fanatics. His Connected Reaction series changed how I think about half guard.

Reddit r/bjj discussion

Weakness

Less well-known than the other instructionals on this list, so less community discussion and troubleshooting resources. Not ideal for beginners who need concrete techniques first before understanding flows. Shorter and less encyclopedic than Giles’ Anthology or Danaher’s GFF. If you need specific technique solutions (e.g., “how do I sweep from deep half?”), more focused instructionals like Faria’s Battle Tested deliver answers faster.

My Recommendation

Best for: Purple belts and above who already know half guard techniques but need to connect them into a flowing system. Concept-oriented learners who want reaction-based training.

Avoid if: you’re a beginner who needs concrete techniques first. Start with DeBlass or Faria, then come back to Schreiner.

Pairs with: Tom DeBlass’ Half Domination for foundational techniques that Schreiner’s concepts connect

Tom DeBlass teaches half guard with a safety-first philosophy: framing and retention before offense. His approach emphasizes efficiency over athleticism, making this the ideal starting point for beginners and older grapplers who can’t rely on speed or flexibility.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~4 hours across 4 DVDs
• 📅 Released: 2017
• 🥋 Gi and No-Gi applicable
• 🎯 Beginners to intermediate
• 🕸 Foundational Half Guard

What It Covers

Volume 1 covers bottom half guard fundamentals: knee shield basics, framing philosophy, retention before offense, and butterfly half guard variation. Volume 2 moves to top half guard with guillotines, arm locks, and guard passing options. Volume 3 covers advanced bottom attacks including kimuras, toe holds, the signature “Spartan Push” for leg lock entries, and recovery paths. Volume 4 is the guard retention workshop covering knee slice prevention scenarios and retention drills, described by BJJ World’s reviewer as “pure gold.”

What Makes It Stand Out

• Guard retention workshop in Volume 4 is the standout section: BJJ World’s reviewer called it “pure gold”
• Safety-first approach teaches proper frames and retention before any offensive techniques
• Simple, effective techniques without excessive complexity, applicable across body types and ages
• Covers both bottom AND top half guard, unlike most sets that only address the bottom game
• Spartan Push opens leg lock entries that many opponents won’t anticipate from half guard

What the Community Says

A game changing set that is a must have for any serious BJJ practitioner.

BJJ World reviewer “colleric” (5/5 rating)

Tom DeBlass is probably the best half guard player of all the huge names in Jiu-Jitsu.

BJJ World overview

Weakness

At ~4 hours, it lacks the depth of Giles’ 10-hour Anthology or Danaher’s 11-hour conceptual breakdown. Practitioners wanting a complete system with troubleshooting for every scenario may outgrow it quickly. Some overlap with DeBlass’ other releases (Half Guard Domination 2.0, Deep Half Domination, Butterfly Half Guard), so buying multiple DeBlass sets gets expensive compared to a single comprehensive set like Giles’ Anthology.

My Recommendation

Best for: Beginners who need a solid half guard foundation built on proper defensive habits. Older or less athletic grapplers who need efficiency-based techniques.

Avoid if: you already have solid half guard fundamentals and want advanced material. Giles’ Anthology or Danaher’s GFF provide much more depth for the same or slightly higher price.

Pairs with: DeBlass’ Butterfly Half Guard for an expanded DeBlass system, or Lachlan Giles’ Anthology to upgrade to a complete system

Brian Glick strips half guard down to its most essential components. Where Giles gives you everything and Danaher gives you the theory, Glick gives you the minimum effective dose: a small number of high-percentage techniques connected by clear principles.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~3-4 hours estimated
• 📅 Released: 2021
• 🥋 Gi and No-Gi applicable
• 🎯 Beginners to intermediate
• 🕸 Simplified Half Guard System

What It Covers

Glick focuses on a streamlined approach to half guard with core sweeps, retention concepts, and a small number of submission entries. The system emphasizes doing a few things very well rather than trying to master every variation. Key positions include underhook recovery, basic knee shield retention, and high-percentage sweep paths that work in both gi and no-gi.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Minimalist approach: teaches a small number of high-percentage techniques rather than overwhelming with options
• Clear principles that connect each technique, making the system easy to remember under pressure
• Applicable to both gi and no-gi without grip modifications
• Good for busy practitioners who can’t dedicate 10+ hours to studying an encyclopedic set
• Clean, precise instruction style that gets to the point quickly

What the Community Says

Glick’s approach is refreshing if you’re tired of 10-hour instructionals. Small system, high success rate.

BJJ community feedback

Weakness

Significantly less comprehensive than Giles’ Anthology, Danaher’s GFF, or even DeBlass’ Half Domination. Advanced practitioners will find the material too basic. Lacks the specialist depth of Craig Jones for Z guard or Leite for dogfight. Less community discussion and supplementary content compared to the bigger-name instructionals.

My Recommendation

Best for: Beginners who feel overwhelmed by 10-hour instructionals. Practitioners who want a quick-start half guard system they can implement in a week.

Avoid if: you already have solid half guard fundamentals, or you want the depth of a complete system like Giles’ Anthology.

Pairs with: Lachlan Giles’ Half Guard Anthology when you’re ready to expand beyond the basics

Gordon Ryan’s half guard instructional brings his signature level of detail to sweeping and submitting from bottom half guard. Ryan’s competition record validates every technique, but the length and price tag make this a harder recommendation than the top picks.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~8-10 hours estimated
• 📅 Released: 2023
• 🥋 No-Gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
• 🕸 Competition Half Guard System

What It Covers

Ryan covers his approach to attacking from bottom half guard with the systematic methodology he’s known for. The instructional addresses underhook battles, knee shield work, sweep chains, and back takes from half guard. Ryan’s approach emphasizes positional dominance through grip sequences and hip positioning, connecting half guard attacks to his broader competition game plan.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Every technique is validated by Ryan’s unmatched competition record in no-gi grappling
• Systematic methodology connects half guard attacks to the broader positional game
• Level of detail on grip sequences and hip positioning is characteristically thorough
• Back take chains from half guard reflect Ryan’s competition preference for positional dominance
• No-gi focused content directly applicable to ADCC and submission grappling competition

What the Community Says

Ryan’s instructionals are always absurdly detailed. Whether that’s a feature or a bug depends on your patience.

Reddit r/bjj community discussion

Weakness

Expensive ($197+) and lengthy, with Ryan’s characteristically verbose explanations. Giles’ Anthology covers more positions at a fraction of the cost. Danaher’s GFF provides the conceptual framework that Ryan’s instruction sometimes assumes you already have. For no-gi knee shield specifically, Craig Jones’ Make Z Guard Great Again is more focused and equally competition-proven.

My Recommendation

Best for: Dedicated no-gi competitors who want the Gordon Ryan methodology applied to half guard. Practitioners who already own Ryan’s other instructionals and want a complete set.

Avoid if: you’re on a budget (Giles’ Anthology covers more for less), or you want a concise, focused instructional. Ryan’s teaching style requires patience.

Pairs with: Gordon Ryan’s other positional instructionals for a complete competition system, or Craig Jones’ Z Guard for a different perspective on knee shield