The ultimate half guard enforcer, Jake Mackenzie
Jake Mackenzie is a Canadian-born professional black belt jiu jitsu instructor and an athlete who avidly competes in world-class tournaments. He was born in a very small town in rural Nova Scotia, Canada; Jake started training jiu jitsu at age 12. Over the past 25 years of training, he lived and trained for over 10 years in Brazil. He made it to the podiums through countless competitions and achieved multiple wins. Here are some of Jake's main achievements in the adult black belt division.
2nd AJP World Professional Championship 2018
2x Brazilian National No-Gi Champion 2013/2014 CBJJ
5x Brazilian National Teams Champion CBJJ
IBJJF South American Champion 2017
IBJJF Asian Champion 2019
3x São Paulo International Open Champion IBJJF (2013/2015/2017)
3x Rio de Janeiro State Champion
He's also secured several victories in the masters division:
1st Place IBJJF World Masters Championship (2018 M1)
1st Place IBJJF American Nationals (2022 M1)
1st Place CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (2022 M2)
1st Place AJP Brazilian National Pro (2020** M1)
In both competition and teaching, one of Jake's go-to systems revolves around half guard and deep half guard. His capability to transform his opponent’s best passing position into his opportunities to attack and win the match made him one of the best half guard players of all time.
What am I missing to better my half guard like Jake?
Jake Mackenzie is like a walking highlight reel of well-executed half guard techniques, sweeping his opponents left and right. But I’m sure there are a lot of jiu jitsu practitioners frustrated, not knowing what is stopping them from becoming like Jake. This might sound familiar to you: Every time you enter half guard, your training partners always seem to figure out your game and stay a step ahead of you with a knee cut, back step, or other attack. Although half guard can open up many opportunities for any practitioner regardless of their skill level, many tend to get overwhelmed based on their experience of getting smashed and flattened out by their opponent. Be honest, do you play half guard, or do you hold on to half guard? Real talk, the problem here isn’t being under the half guard… the problem is how you think about half guard.
To help out all the jiu jitsu practitioners, Jake brought his broad knowledge of half guard to JJX users through “Lord Of Half Guard - Vol1 & Vol2”
The courses consist of extensive chapters packed with various individual lessons to help your understanding of the half guard. One of many benefits that playing half guard offers is the option to transition to other positions. In Jake's courses, he helps you explore transitions to deep half, reverse half, de la riva X, half guard worm, and many others.
“Lord Of Half Guard Vol 1” goes over details of knee tweak positions that allow you to initiate half guard game with tons of advantages. Deep half guard and reverse half guard are included in the course, opening up numerous sequences to back takes and sweeps. Reverse half guard and de la riva X will let you proceed with your attacks against a back step or knee cut pass. Here are other things Jake will review in the course:
Proto Guard
Half Guard Worm
Ways to protect your half guard
“Lord Of Half Guard Vol 2” branches off from the previous course, offering further tips and tricks to perfect your half guard. Going over grips and hand positionings, knee twist, knee cut defense, and more details to deep half and reverse half enhances skills you’ve learned in Volume 1. It is a well-thought-out system with new details covering how to implement and counter the latest techniques. These include the infamous lapel slayer defenses and the fishnet attacks.
It’s your turn to become the lord of half guard (or at least a duke!). Anytime your training partners feel accomplished for getting to your half guard, you will be ready to sweep them and submit them!
There are 3 free videos available for every single course including Jake’s courses “Lord Of Half Guard - Vol1 & Vol2”! Just click on any one of them to access and start stepping up your jiu jitsu game!
Jake’s instagram : https://www.instagram.com/jakemackenziebjj/
