Randy Brown Mantis Boxing

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Sweeps - Throws on the Ground

Randy Brown

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

  1. Perform 30x - Ground sweep to all 4’s (see 3 stages to sweeps above)

  2. Perform 50x - Scissor sweep (opponent has a poor base)

  3. 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

  1. Perform 3 sets of 25 reps Scissor sweep

  2. 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

  1. Perform 3 sets of 10 - Scissor Sweep

  2. Perform 3 sets of 10 - Elevator Sweep

  3. 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

  1. Review: Perform 3 sets of 10: Scissor Sweep — Elevator Sweep — Pendulum Sweep

  2. 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

  1. Review: Perform 1 set of 10: Scissor Sweep — Elevator Sweep — Pendulum Sweep

  2. Review: Perform 3 sets of 10: Waist Chop Sweep

  3. 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

  1. Review: Perform 3 sets of 10: Scissor Sweep — Elevator Sweep — Pendulum Sweep

  2. 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

  1. Review: Perform 1 sets of 10: Scissor Sweep — Elevator Sweep — Pendulum Sweep

  2. Review: Perform 3 sets of 10: Waist Chop — Pincer — Tripod

  3. 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