SweepDeep-half back takeBelt: purple+Risk: moderateIBJJFADCCNo-GiSub-Only
The Deep Half Waiter to Back Take is an advanced transition from deep half guard, using the waiter sweep's leverage to expose and attack the opponent's back. This technique is highly effective against opponents who post their far leg to prevent the standard sweep, allowing for a dynamic shift from bottom to dominant back control.
Start
Deep half guard
End
Back
Prerequisites: Deep half guard entry · Waiter sweep mechanics · Underhook retention · Granby roll basics
Steps
1
Establish Deep Half Guard
From bottom, secure your deep half guard by threading your far arm under opponent's thigh, cupping their knee with a C-grip, and keeping your head tight to their hip. Your near arm hugs their far hip, palm posted on their belt line or hip bone.
2
Set Up the Waiter Sweep
Use your inside knee to elevate their trapped leg, while your outside foot posts on the mat for base. Grip their ankle or pants (gi) or cup their heel (no-gi) with your far hand, keeping your elbow tight to prevent crossface.
3
Initiate the Sweep and Bait the Post
Bridge and lift their trapped leg overhead, aiming to tip them off-balance. As they post their far leg to base out and prevent the sweep, keep your hips underneath their center of gravity and maintain the underhook on their thigh.
4
Thread Your Head and Shoulder Under
Duck your head deeper under their posted leg, aiming to get your head to the far side of their knee. Your shoulder should wedge under their thigh, creating a ramp to slide underneath.
5
Invert and Swing Your Legs
Use a mini-Granby roll motion: swing your outside leg over your own head, inverting your hips while maintaining your grip on their far hip or belt. Your inside leg follows, threading between their legs for control.
6
Climb to the Back
As you invert, release your grip on their ankle and reach for their far lat or belt (gi) or wrap around their waist (no-gi). Pull yourself up, chest-to-back, while your legs scissor to hook in for the first hook.
7
Secure Both Hooks and Seatbelt
Insert your second hook as you flatten them out, immediately establishing a seatbelt grip (one arm over the shoulder, one under the armpit, gable grip or palm-to-palm). Keep your chest glued to their upper back and head tight to their neck.
Key details most people miss
Timing the back take as opponent posts their far leg is critical—initiate the inversion before they settle their weight.
Keep your underhooked arm glued to their thigh to prevent them from sprawling or cross-facing during the transition.
Your head position must travel to the far side of their knee to open the back exposure angle.
Use your legs actively during the inversion—don't rely solely on upper body pulling to climb to the back.
Common mistakes
Failing to keep the underhook tight lets opponent sprawl, flattening you and killing the back take.
Starting the inversion too late allows opponent to drop their hips and reestablish base, trapping you underneath.
Not swinging the outside leg high enough causes you to get stuck under their hips, unable to reach the back.
Releasing the ankle grip too early gives opponent a chance to step away and escape.
Counters & responses
They try: Opponent sprawls heavy on your head as you invert
You do: Switch to a knee-lever sweep by using your inside knee to elevate and redirect their base, returning to a standard waiter sweep.
They try: Opponent cross-faces and flattens you mid-transition
You do: Re-pummel your underhook immediately, shrimp your hips away, and re-enter deep half guard before attempting the back take again.
They try: Opponent posts their far arm to block your inversion
You do: Switch to a single leg by coming up on your elbow and driving into their posted arm, threatening a technical stand-up or single leg finish.
They try: Opponent steps their posted leg far away
You do: Follow with a Granby roll to create scramble space, aiming to re-guard or chase the back if they overcommit.
Drill prescription
6 rounds × 2 min; 70% resistance; each round, bottom player must complete 3 back takes from deep half waiter, with top player actively posting and defending. Success metric: clean seatbelt and both hooks established within 20 seconds per attempt.
How the masters teach it
Bernardo Faria
Integrates the back take seamlessly into his deep half system, emphasizing grip retention and timing against the posted leg.
BJJ Fanatics
Lucas Lepri
Focuses on the no-gi adaptation, using hip mobility and tight waist grips for smooth back exposure.