Intro to Sweeps
Throws on the Ground
Pre-Training & Warm-Up Drills
Two Phases to Sweep
The sweep is only one half of the equation. The first time we pull off a sweep, and maybe a great many times thereafter, we lay there amazed that it worked. Even for a split second. This is too late. Our opponent is recovering their position, or worse; while we lay there basking in our glory, they return, gain a dominant position and smash us harder than before.
As you will see in each lesson below, the scramble that follows the sweep, is just as important as the sweep itself. This ensures that we gain the dominant position on our opponent, or at least keep them fighting on their heels.
Ground Sweeps
Ground sweeps are used when our opponent is still on their knees, or in a one knee up/one knee down position. Training missions are provided below for each sweep. Use as many times as necessary to feel comfortable with the moves.
The Scissor Sweep
The scissor sweep is one of the first sweeps you are likely to find success with in your jiu-jitsu game. It is the simpler of the first 3 we will cover in this course. Simple, yet it still takes proper timing and execution to get it right. Be sure to turn on your side when executing the sweep. The scissor motion should be similar to swimming, or running - in line with the torso.
Basic Sweeps - Mission 1
Scissor Sweep
Perform 30x - Ground sweep to all 4’s (see 3 stages to sweeps above)
Perform 50x - Scissor sweep (opponent has a poor base)
Perform this 50x - Scissor sweep (opponent has a good base)
The Elevator Sweep
The elevator sweep is our go to method when our opponent is on one knee, and the other knee is up. Usually a preparatory move for them to stand-up.
Basic Sweeps - Mission 2
Elevator Sweep
Perform 3 sets of 25 reps Scissor sweep
Perform 3 sets of 25 reps - Elevator sweep
The Pendulum Sweep
This sweep takes advantage of our opponent with a locked down guard that is tight to our body. When we cannot, or will not open the guard to set up the scissor sweep, and perfect for when they are trying to first open our guard.
Basic Sweeps - Mission 3
Pendulum Sweep
Perform 3 sets of 10 - Scissor Sweep
Perform 3 sets of 10 - Elevator Sweep
Perform 3 sets of 25 reps - Pendulum sweep
Standing Sweeps
Waist Chop Sweep
The classic. This waist chop sweep (also known as the lumberjack in some circles) is one of the simplest ways to take down an unsuspecting opponent. Those uninitiated with ground fighting methods, and even many novice grapplers fall for this sweep consistently. Their objective is to try and press forward, or to strike to the head. When they bring both feet in - sweep!
Basic Sweeps - Mission 4
Waist Chop Sweep
Review: Perform 3 sets of 10: Scissor Sweep — Elevator Sweep — Pendulum Sweep
Perform 3 sets of 25 reps - Waist Chop Sweep
Pincer Sweep
Simple, sneaky and perfect when the opponent is out of range for our other standing sweeps. The pincer sweep relies only two methods - ankle hook with one leg, and the knee push with the other.
Basic Sweeps - Mission 5
Pincer Sweep
Review: Perform 1 set of 10: Scissor Sweep — Elevator Sweep — Pendulum Sweep
Review: Perform 3 sets of 10: Waist Chop Sweep
Perform 3 sets of 25 reps - Pincer Sweep
Tripod Sweep
Three points of contact is the name of the game for the tripod sweep. This comes in handy when we cannot pull off the waist chop sweep as our opponent is only giving us one leg to hook with our hand.
Basic Sweeps - Mission 6
Tripod Sweep
Review: Perform 3 sets of 10: Scissor Sweep — Elevator Sweep — Pendulum Sweep
Perform 3 sets of 25 reps - Waist Chop Sweep
Sickle Sweep
This opportune sweep takes advantage of an opponent who is attempting to pass our guard. The stuff the leg and step over, opening the door for us to use the sickle sweep.
Basic Sweeps - Mission 7
Sickle Sweep
Review: Perform 1 sets of 10: Scissor Sweep — Elevator Sweep — Pendulum Sweep
Review: Perform 3 sets of 10: Waist Chop — Pincer — Tripod
Perform 3 sets of 25 reps - Sickle Sweep
Super Mission
21-15-9
Perform 21 of each, then 15 of each, then 9 of each.
Scissor Sweep
Scissor Sweep - strong base
Elevator Sweep
Pendulum Sweep
Waist Chop
Pincer Sweep
Tripod Sweep
Sickle Sweep
Bonus Video - My Sickle Sweep Story
I hope you enjoyed my course on sweeps - throws on the ground. Keep training these movements until they are second nature. This ensures that when the time comes to sweep our opponent, we’re watching for the pattern and applying the proper sweep, not thinking about how to do the move as the moment passes by.
Thank you.
Randy
