One thing I found that was really helpful for me was to focus completely on half guard for a few months. Pull half guard every time you roll. You will eventually start to feel comfortable enough to attack from half.
@jiujitsukillah I am not sure exactly where you see an opportunity for the top man to catch a head and arm. In General you knee creates space and pushes him back, preventing him from locking up you head and arm. If you are more specific, I might be able to answer better.
There are two guys out there who really pushed half guard as an offensive position, Gordo and Eddie Bravo. Eddie's half guard game often gets over shadowed by his rubber guard system and the marketing of his disciples but is very good. Gordo's stuff is a little more traditional and definitely tailored to Gi jiujitsu. If you do jiu jitsu, you need to look at Gordo's half guard game as it is basically the foundation of all other half guard games.
The head/arm triangle is avoided by staying on your side in half guard and keeping the knee there by the waist so you have space to play. The head/arm triangle can be sunk once the top player gets your back flat to the mat then using shoulder pressure & his head to move the bottom opponents arm up then secure the position, get on both feet with the shoulder pressure and start your pass out of half guard (using your free leg in the back freeing the lock leg), once you pass you finish you the sub.
Very nice from "O Gordo". A sweep that works in either direction is a beautiful thing. My only concern is getting a good grip on a gi pant on a bent leg. Need to start practicing because I have trouble getting that grip.
