What leads here, and where this position leads.
Kneeling upright with a gap between your chest and theirs.
Why it failsThe gap is exactly the space they need to insert a frame and shrimp back to guard.
FixDrop your chest onto their sternum, sprawl your legs back, and take the space away.
Reaching with both arms straight and no cross-face.
Why it failsStraight arms are levers they can push against; you also lose the cross-face that stops them turning in.
FixKeep elbows tight and use a real cross-face on the near side so their head cannot turn toward you.
Rushing to mount before the near elbow is controlled.
Why it failsThe free elbow catches your knee mid-transition and you land back in half guard or get bumped over.
FixTrap the near arm (or pin the head away) first, then step or slide across.