One of the most fundamental and significant Jiu Jitsu moves is the sweep. They serve the purpose of removing an opponent from their base and placing them on the ground. One can execute sweeps from either a standing or closed-guard posture.
Jiu Jitsu beginners must understand the fundamental sweeps to improve their guard game. There are many different sweep variations in JJ, some notably harder than others. Learn the most popular, fundamental sweeps, which are effective against most opponents. In this article, we’ll walk you through the five Jiu Jitsu Sweeps that any beginner should know to start dominating your opponents in competitions and training.
What is a Sweep in Jiu Jitsu?
Let’s quickly review what a sweep is before moving on to the five sweeps. In Jiu Jitsu, a sweep is a move that throws an opponent off balance or unbalances them until they fall to the ground. Although there are several varieties of sweeps, all of them aim to take down their opponent.
When to Perform a Sweep
As previously discussed, one can execute JJ sweeps while standing or while in the guard position. Generally speaking, you aim to sweep your opponent when they are trying to rise or are off balance.
Since it will be considerably more difficult for them to regain their balance, and they are almost sure to fall to the ground, this is the ideal moment for a sweep. Sweeps are an excellent tool to have in your toolbox because they can also be used to combine with other sweeps or to set up other submissions.
5 Jiu Jitsu Sweeps Techniques
Let’s look at the five jiu jitsu sweeps that every beginner has to grasp now. It will help you to understand what a sweep is and when to use one.
-
Flower Sweep
The flower sweep is excellent for newbies due to its versatility and ease of execution from various positions. You can do the flower sweep from side control, mount, or even turtle. The guard is by far the most popular position from which to do it.
The first step in doing the flower sweep from the guard is to sit up and use your right hand to grab your opponent’s left sleeve. Then, just above the knee, grip their right pant leg with your left hand. Now spread your legs wide and use your right leg to sweep their left leg. Pull on their pant leg and sleeve while you sweep their leg to turn them over onto their back.
-
Butterfly Sweep
Like the flower sweep, the butterfly sweep is an excellent sweep for novices and may be performed from various postures. You can do the butterfly sweep while guarding, side control, mount, or turtle positions.
First, sit up and place your feet on your opponent’s hips to begin the butterfly sweep from the guard. Next, grab their right sleeve by extending your left arm over their shoulders. Grab their left pant leg slightly above the knee with your right hand. After that, spread your legs and use your left leg to sweep their right leg. They will fall to their back as you tug on their pant leg and sleeve as you sweep their leg.
-
Scissor Sweep
Another great sweep for amateurs is the scissor sweep. By utilizing your legs to control your opponent’s hips and legs and rotating your hips, you can perform this move from the same positions as the flower and butterfly sweeps. Because it does not require a lot of strength, this sweep is excellent for beginners.
Start in your opponent’s closed guard to execute the scissor sweep from the guard. Lay your right leg over your left thigh and your left leg over the right thigh of your opponent. From here, control your opponent’s hips and legs with your legs. Sweep your opponent’s legs out from under them by turning your hips to the left. Get up and walk past their guard as you sweep their legs.
-
Hip Bump Sweep
The hip bump sweep is an excellent sweep for beginners because of its simplicity of execution. The hip bump sweep’s main concept is to throw your opponent off-balance with your hips before sweeping them onto their back. Both the top and bottom positions are viable for executing this.
You will initiate the hip bump sweep from the top position by placing yourself in your opponent’s guard. You will now lay your left hand on their right shoulder and your right hand on their left knee. Next, you’ll drive them onto their back by repeatedly using your hips to nudge their left leg up and over.
It is similar to executing the hip bump sweep from the bottom position. The only difference is that you will begin in your opponent’s half-guard rather than their guard. You will now lay your left hand on their right shoulder and your right hand on their left knee. To turn them onto their back, use your hips to push their left leg up and over forcefully.
-
Lumberjack Sweep
The Lumberjack Sweep is an excellent technique for beginners because it can be performed from several stances. It’s also reasonably easy to do, which makes it a decent option.
Starting in the guard position, perform the Lumberjack Sweep. From there, extend your same-side hand and grasp your opponent’s near leg. Then reach out and hold their far leg, right above the knee, with your other arm. Now, with a firm hold on both legs, sweep their legs out from under them. As they regress, ascend into the mount posture.
Tips to Improve Your Sweeps
You’ve decided to include a tactic in your game, but it’s not working out as anticipated. This advice applies to all of your Jiu Jitsu techniques and stances. It’s not limited to just sweeps. However, below is some black belt advice for those who are determined to add another weapon to their Jiu Jitsu inventory.
-
Demonstrate the Technique to Your Instructor
Ask if you can use the approach on them for feedback. Many students omit this important step when learning a technique. The majority of Jiu Jitsu is a “feel” martial art. This means that to comprehend a particular approach’s intricacies truly, you must apply it correctly to yourself to experience it firsthand.
-
Feel the Technique
As a result of point #1, you must sense the instructor executing the technique accurately and skillfully to feel the technique’s success. You’ve likely heard of “invisible Jiu-Jitsu.” Far from being a superpower straight out of a comic book, it just means that there’s usually pressure or leverage being applied that you might not notice just by looking at the method.
If you want to feel the proper way to perform a move, don’t be afraid to ask your instructor to demonstrate it for you. You will have a better knowledge of the method than you had before.
-
Drill With a Partner
This is incredibly crucial, but it will take more work from you. There isn’t much free time during regular class periods for learners to practice any tactics they choose. You will need to work with a preferred training partner to help you set aside time to practice your Hook Sweep until you can do it competently and efficiently. You may be able to get concentrated drilling if you get to class early or move to a corner of the mat during free rolling.
-
Positional Sparring
Most Gracie Barra courses include some sort of positional or specialty sparring to allow students to practice the position they just learned in class. Many elite Jiu-Jitsu competitors have said that practicing positional sparring a lot before the tournament is the “secret” to their training.
It’s the most excellent method for making the most of your time attempting to use the tactics against resisting opponents. They divide their practice sessions into distinct gaming scenarios and repeat them to maximize their proficiency and understanding in that area. You should also practice your Jiu Jitsu.
Conclusion
Sweeps are the unseen gems in Jiu Jitsu that may quickly change the course of a battle. We at 10th Planet Poway have an unrivaled enthusiasm for perfecting the art of jiu jitsu sweeps. Our exceptional training programs enable people of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced competitors, to become proficient in these revolutionary methods.
Our academy offers the ideal setting, whether your objective is to conquer the mats, tone your body, or go on a self-discovery adventure. At 10th Planet Poway, you can improve your skills, take advantage of sweeps, and realize your full potential.
