50/50 Mastery
If you’re like me, the 50/50 position probably felt like a weird tangle of legs when you first learned it. I avoided it for a long while – I kept getting stuck there and had no idea what to do.
This guide skips the complicated theory and focuses on the 80/20 of 50/50 – the core concepts and techniques that actually make a difference when you’re rolling. After studying these, I’ve had way more success during positional sparring and live rolls.
Let me know if you have any questions, feedback, or ideas you’d like to see!
Attacks
The cool thing about 50/50 is you can launch devastating attacks from it—if you’re not constantly worried about getting countered.
Key Concepts (That Changed the Game for Me):
You must separate the feet to start attacking.
Don’t get so focused on attacking that you forget about your own safety!
Defenders will dorsiflex their foot to defend ankle locks and plantar flex their foot to defend heel hooks – this creates a dilemma
Note: Some of these are IBJJF-legal, others aren’t. Know the rules if you’re planning to compete.
Basic
BJJ Technique - Powerful 50/50 Attacks You Must Know! - Coach Zahabi
Finishing From 50/50: CRAIG JONES BJJ Techqniques
No-GI: Direct Knee Bar Attack off 50/50
Advanced
Lachlan Giles 50/50 Heel Hook - A Completely Different Entry Concept: Outside Sankaku
Heel hook from 50/50. Absolute MMA Shanghai (Lachlan Giles)
Exposing Heel From 50/50: CRAIG JONES BJJ Techniques This one is my favorite
50/50 Split Into Straight Foot Lock With Eoghan O’Flanagan
Backside 50
Backside 50/50 has clear advantages – you’re safer from counters, and your opponent’s defense options are more limited.
An Introduction To The Backside 50/50 Position
Intro to the Back Side 50/50 by Craig Jones
Simple Entry to Backside 50-50 from X-Guard: No Gi BJJ/Jiu-Jitsu
K Guard to Backside 50/50 Heel Hook
70/30 to Backside 50/50 (Lachlan Giles)
Creative attacks
These are more creative attacks from 50/50. While they’re probably lower percentage moves, drilling them can help you find new possibilities.
50/50 Armbars & The Polish Leg Lock | Fix My Game With Santeri Lilius xyz
The Disrespectful Triangle From 50/50 Guard
Defense
General defensive concepts I found valuable. I especially like William Tackett’s tip on using a side kick under your opponent’s armpit to prevent the inside spin.
Highly recommend watching all of these:
Cheat Code to escaping 50/50 my favorite general defense
No-Gi Technique: Giancarlo Bodoni Teaches Backside 50/50 Defense
50/50 Sweep and Pass & 50/50 Passing
Lachlan Giles - 50/50 Defense - Importance of Protecting Your Leg- important defensive principle
Craig Jones Clearing the kneeline. Leglock defense - generally great heel hook defense
Drills
If 50/50 feels awkward or confusing, drilling is the fastest way to develop your awareness and comfort
Best Way to Play 50/50 by Jeff Glover
Match Footage
If you only train it in isolation, it’s hard to see how this position fits into the bigger game. These matches show how elite grapplers use 50/50 at the highest level.
In a David-vs-Goliath upset, the 77kg Giles used a 50/50 guard inversion to entangle the newly crowned +99kg champion’s leg and secure an inside heel hook.
Giles countered a passing attempt by entering a 50/50 leg entanglement, then cranked a heel hook for another tap. This 50/50 finish earned “the giant slayer” a second upset victory over a much larger opponent.
A showcase of high-level 50/50 guard work under EBI rules. Cummings repeatedly entered 50/50 to attack inside heel hooks. Geo displayed savvy defense – at one point surviving a deep 50/50 heel hook that had the crowd gasping.
A high-paced match where 16-year-old Ruotolo caught Miyao in a tight 50/50 leg lock (a kneebar/heel hook combination). Miyao famously refused to tap – and ultimately won on points.
A legendary no-gi superfight between two leg-lock masters. Tonon and Palhares entangled in 50/50 early, both attacking each other’s feet with heel hooks.
Both athletes scrambled into 50/50 guard entanglements to trade heel hook attempts and counters. Ruotolo’s dynamic style and Krikorian’s 10th Planet leg-lock defense were on full display.
Additional Resources
(Paid) Instructional my coach recommended