An eight-volume, step-by-step half guard passing system that you can apply immediately.
The Bottom Line
You learn a complete framework for forcing half guard, solving the major variants, and consolidating. The series shows how to link passes with mount and back takes, plus narrated rolling to bridge study and sparring. It does not cover broader open-guard passing outside the half guard family.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: All belts, top players
Skip if: You want leg locks
Tech focus: Half Guard Passing, Knee Cut, Smash Pass, Three Quarter Mount, Lockdown Solutions, Deep Half Answers, Consolidation
Biggest takeaway: Force half then pass systematically.
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What You'll Learn
Eight volumes and over ten hours focused on forcing and passing half guard, with narrated rolling and a clear plan for every common variant. You learn entries, consolidation, troubleshooting, and how to chain passes to mount or back. The structure is methodical and easy to apply the next round.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Half Guard Passing
- Knee Cut
- Smash Pass
- Three Quarter Mount
- Near Side Knee Through
- Lockdown Solutions
- Deep Half Answers
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: Both
- Runtime: 14 hours and 24 minutes
- Volumes: 8
- Released: 2019
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I found the force-half-first approach removes guesswork and creates repeatable passing sequences.
Why Lachlan Giles?
Lachlan Giles is an Australian black belt and renowned coach at Absolute MMA. He achieved global recognition after submitting three heavyweights en route to ADCC 2019 open-weight bronze. Giles is respected for clear, concept-led instruction. He has produced multiple high-quality instructionals and mentors elite athletes including Craig Jones. His teaching blends conceptual thinking with actionable mechanics.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Huge value for the price; the structure makes passing half guard finally click.
- Clear troubleshooting for knee shield, lockdown and deep half; nothing feels missing.
- Narrated rolling helps translate concepts straight into sparring.
- Forcing half first was a game-changer for my top game.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Long runtime can feel overwhelming if you just want quick drills.
- Heavy focus on half guard; not a general open guard passing course.
- Some felt pacing is slow compared to competition highlight style videos.
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Smart Alternatives
- Precision Knee Cut Passes by Lucas Lepri – Focused knee-cut system to complement half guard passing. (Price: $79.00, 4 vols)
- No Gi Pressure Passing by Bernardo Faria – Smash-based alternative when grips are limited. (Price: $79.00)
- Sloppy Seconds: Countering The Outside Passer – Great counter study for bottom players to pair with this. (Price: $97.00, 4 vols)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View The Guard Passing Anthology: Half Guard by Lachlan Giles on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
