A complete, troubleshot half guard system with narrated rolling that gives you answers in every branch.
The Bottom Line
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.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: You want a blueprint
Skip if: You hate long courses
Tech focus: Knee Shield, Underhook Half
Biggest takeaway: Have answers for everything
📋 Jump to a section (Click to expand)
What You'll Learn
Lachlan Giles maps half guard as a complete system, not a grab bag. You get knee shield, underhook half, dogfight, reverse half, sit-up guard, and more tied together. A troubleshooting index lets you jump straight to the fix when something breaks. Narrated rolling shows the ideas under real resistance. It is filmed no-gi but translates well to gi grips.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Knee Shield
- Underhook Half
- Reverse Half
- Dogfight
- Sit Up Guard
- Waiter Sweep
- Half Guard Retention
- Troubleshooting
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual, Footage Breakdown
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: Both
- Runtime: 12 hours and 14 minutes
- Released: 2018
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. 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.
Why Lachlan Giles?
Lachlan Giles is an ADCC absolute bronze medalist and respected coach from Absolute MMA. He is known for systematic instruction and clear problem-solving.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Most complete half guard roadmap I have used; it covers every bad spot and links positions.
- Troubleshooting sections save time by sending you straight to solutions.
- Narrated rolling makes concepts click faster than pure demo videos.
- Great for building a layered game beyond one half guard flavor.
- Good for beginners through advanced; easy to follow without fluff.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Length can feel overwhelming; hard to finish if you are time-poor.
- Bias toward no-gi examples; pure gi players may want additional lapel options.
- Information density requires note-taking or a study plan.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- 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. (Price: $79.00)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View The Half Guard Anthology on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
