Hip Bump Sweep

Quick Introduction

The hip bump sweep (also called "upa sweep" or "sit-up sweep") is one of the most natural and intuitive sweeps in BJJ. By sitting up and bumping your opponent with your hips when they base out with their arm, you create a leverage-based reversal. It's famous for its seamless combination with the armbar, creating an unavoidable dilemma for your opponent.

Position Overview

Type: Reaction-based sweep using hip momentum

Station: Sweeps - Guard reversals

Achieved from: Closed guard, can be initiated from broken posture situations

Leads to: Mount, side control, or armbar if defended

Points: 2 points when established for 3 seconds (IBJJF)

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Hip Bump Sweep Execution (Step by Step)

Starting Position

You're in closed guard with opponent in front of you. They may be postured up or you're attempting to close distance.

Execution Sequence

1. Close the Distance (Sit Up)

• Release closed guard (or start from open guard)
• Sit up explosively toward your opponent
• Goal: Get chest-to-chest contact
• This movement alone may surprise them

2. Establish the Underhook/Wrap

• Wrap one arm around their back (underhook)
• Your arm goes under their armpit
• Clasp hands together behind their back (optional)
• Or grip their lat/back of gi
• This side becomes your sweeping direction

3. Post Your Support Hand

• Other hand posts on mat behind you
• Post on the opposite side from your underhook
• Create strong base with posted hand
• Fingers pointing away from opponent
• This hand is your pivot point

4. Create the Trap

• Keep close chest-to-chest
• Maintain your underhook/wrap
• They feel threatened by proximity
• Natural reaction: They will base out with hand on underhook side

5. Wait for Their Base (Critical Timing)

• This is the key moment
• When they post their hand on mat (underhook side)
• They're trying to prevent you pulling them down
• Their posted arm becomes their vulnerability
• Don't rush - let them post first

6. Execute the Hip Bump

• Drive hips up and toward their posted arm
• Like a bridge but directional
• Explosive movement from hips and core
• Bump them over that posted arm
• Your posted hand helps generate momentum

7. Follow the Sweep

• Keep wrapping arm tight during sweep
• Roll with the momentum
• Come up on your knees
• Their posted arm collapses under the pressure

8. Land in Dominant Position

• Finish in mount (ideal)
• Or side control if they turn
• Maintain control of their far arm
• Establish position for points

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Critical Details

Distance Management

The Sit-Up Motion

• Must achieve true chest-to-chest contact
• Half-sitting doesn't create right pressure
• Explosive sit-up, not gradual lean
• Your shoulder should contact their chest
• Close all space between you

Why Distance Matters:

• Too far away = no pressure on them to base out
• Too close initially = they can pressure you down
• Perfect distance = they feel need to post

The Underhook Side

Arm Positioning

• Deep underhook under their armpit
• Wrap all the way around their back
• Your shoulder pressure into their chest
• This arm stays active throughout
• Don't just drape it - actively control

Strategic Importance:

• This determines sweep direction
• Prevents them from basing to that side
• Keeps them connected to you
• Maintains control during reversal

The Posted Hand (Yours)

Base Creation

• Strong post on opposite side
• Fingers pointing away from opponent
• Arm locked out and stable
• This becomes your pivot point
• Generates power for hip bump

Common Error:

• Posting too far from body (weak base)
• ✅ Fix: Post close to your hip
• Hand not turned out (weak structure)
• ✅ Fix: Fingers point away, creates strong line

Reading Their Reaction

The Setup When you sit up close:

• They feel uncomfortable
• Natural instinct: Create space
• They post hand to push you away
• This post = green light for sweep

Perfect Timing Indicators:

• Their hand touches mat
• Their arm is extended (not bent)
• Their weight shifts to that posted hand
• They're committed to the push

Too Early = Failed Sweep:

• Attempting before they post
• They have strong base with both legs
• No vulnerability created yet
• Wait for the commitment

The Hip Bump Mechanics

Power Generation

• Comes from hips and core
• Like a directional bridge
• Explosive, not slow push
• Drive toward their posted arm side
• Your posted hand assists momentum

Direction of Bump:

• Up and toward posted arm
• Not straight up (no sweep)
• Not straight over (they can base)
• Angular drive over their posted arm

Full Body Commitment:

• Hips drive the motion
• Posted hand pushes
• Wrapping arm pulls
• Core generates explosion
• Everything works together

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Important Observations (General Rules)

Core Principles

1. 🎯 Wait for the post - Patience is the key to this sweep
2. 💪 Chest-to-chest first - Must close distance completely
3. ⏱️ Reaction-based timing - They create their own vulnerability
4. 🔄 Explosive hip bump - Half-hearted bumps fail
5. 🎮 Armbar backup - If they don't post, you get armbar

Connection to Theories

Applying core principles:

• Leverage: Using their posted arm as the fulcrum point
• Off-Balancing: They create their own instability by posting
• Timing: Reaction-based technique, not forced
• Action-Reaction: Their defensive post becomes offensive opportunity
• Momentum: Hip explosion multiplied by their extended arm

Applying body reading concepts:

• Weight Commitment: Reading when they commit weight to posted hand
• Base Structure: Their three points of contact become two
• Movement Anticipation: Knowing they'll post when pressured
• Structural Lines: Breaking their line of support with directional bump

Common Mistakes

⚠️ Not sitting up all the way - Half-sitting creates no pressure

• ✅ Fix: Explosive sit-up to chest-to-chest

⚠️ Sweeping before they post - Strong base can't be bumped

• ✅ Fix: Wait for hand to touch mat

⚠️ Posting hand too weak - Can't generate power

• ✅ Fix: Strong locked-out arm, fingers turned out

⚠️ No underhook control - They can base on both sides

• ✅ Fix: Deep underhook wrapped around back

⚠️ Bumping wrong direction - Straight up doesn't sweep

• ✅ Fix: Diagonal bump toward their posted arm

⚠️ Not following through - Stopping motion halfway

• ✅ Fix: Complete the reversal to top position

⚠️ Forgetting the armbar - When they refuse to post

• ✅ Fix: If no post, transition to armbar

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🎓 Training Progressions

Solo Drills

Drill 1: Sit-Up to Post Motion (20 reps)

• Start on back in guard position
• Explosively sit up
• Post hand behind you
• Practice the motion without partner
• Build explosive power from core

Drill 2: Hip Bump Motion (10 reps each side)

• From sitting position with posted hand
• Practice explosive hip bump motion
• Focus on direction and power
• Simulate sweeping over posted arm
• Build muscle memory for explosion

Drill 3: Guard to Sit-Up Flow (20 reps)

• Closed guard position
• Sit up explosively
• Return to guard
• Repeat continuously
• Build conditioning and speed

Partner Drills

Level 1: Cooperative (No Resistance)

• Partner in your closed guard
• Sit up and wrap them
• Partner posts hand on cue
• Execute hip bump sweep slowly
• 20 reps each side
• Focus: Perfect mechanics

Key Coaching Points:

• Is distance closed completely?
• Is underhook deep and tight?
• Is posted hand strong?
• Is bump explosive and directional?
• Landing in mount?

Level 2: Light Resistance (25%)

• Partner posts naturally when you sit up
• Light resistance to sweep
• Practice reading their post timing
• Execute with proper power
• 15 reps each side

Key Coaching Points:

• Recognizing when they post
• Timing explosion with their commitment
• Following through completely
• Transitioning to position

Level 3: Positional Sparring (50%)

• Start in closed guard
• You can attempt hip bump or armbar
• Partner defends appropriately
• Practice reading which is available
• 3-minute rounds

Key Coaching Points:

• Do they post or not?
• If post → hip bump
• If no post → armbar
• Making correct read
• Smooth transitions

Level 4: Live Application (100%)

• Regular rolling
• Hunt for hip bump opportunities
• Apply against full resistance
• Focus: Setup and timing

Key Coaching Points:

• Creating distance closing opportunity
• Reading reactions accurately
• Combination with armbar
• Success rate tracking

Common Setup Drills

Drill 1: Hip Bump ↔ Armbar Flow (Essential)

1. Sit up for hip bump
2. Partner posts → sweep them
3. Reset
4. Sit up again
5. Partner doesn't post → armbar
6. Continuous flow for 5 minutes
7. This is the core drill for this technique

See armbar technique

Drill 2: Posture Recovery to Hip Bump

1. Closed guard with broken posture
2. They try to posture up
3. As they rise, sit up with them
4. Execute hip bump when they post
5. 10 reps focusing on timing
6. Teaches reactive application

See closed guard concepts

Drill 3: Failed Guard Pull to Hip Bump

1. Attempt guard pull or takedown
2. End up in closed guard
3. Immediately sit up for hip bump
4. Catch them during transition
5. 10 reps building opportunistic mindset
6. Real-situation application

Progression Timeline

Following training methods:

• Week 1-2: Learn sit-up and hip bump mechanics
• Week 3-4: Add hip bump ↔ armbar flow (critical)
• Week 5-8: Positional drilling with decision making
• Month 3-6: Live application, timing refinement
• Month 6+: High-percentage attack, teaching others

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🔧 Troubleshooting Guide

Problem: They Don't Post Their Hand

This isn't actually a problem - it's an armbar opportunity!

Solutions:

1. If they don't post, they can't defend being pulled down
2. Maintain close distance and underhook
3. Cup behind their tricep with free hand
4. Fall back to armbar on the non-underhooked side
5. This is why hip bump is so effective - it's win-win

See armbar from guard

The Beautiful Dilemma:

• Post hand → Get swept by hip bump
• Don't post → Get armbarred
• They must choose their defeat
• This makes hip bump so fundamental

Problem: Hip Bump Doesn't Move Them

Possible Causes & Solutions:

Issue 1: Not chest-to-chest

• Solution: Sit up more completely
• Solution: Close all distance before attempting
• Solution: Your shoulder should touch their chest

Issue 2: They haven't committed to post

• Solution: Wait longer for full weight commitment
• Solution: Look for extended arm, not just hand down
• Solution: May need to create more pressure to force post

Issue 3: Bumping wrong direction

• Solution: Bump toward posted arm, not straight up
• Solution: Angular drive over their arm
• Solution: Follow through with rotation

Issue 4: Weak posted hand

• Solution: Lock arm out completely
• Solution: Post closer to your hip
• Solution: Use it to generate power

Issue 5: Not explosive enough

• Solution: This is a burst movement, not slow push
• Solution: Generate power from hips and core
• Solution: Practice explosive drills

Problem: They Base with Other Hand and Stay Up

Solutions:

1. Your underhook should prevent this
2. Make underhook deeper and tighter
3. May need to swim your wrap higher on their back
4. If they're strong enough to stay up, transition to armbar
5. Chain to scissor sweep on opposite side

Problem: Can't Get the Sit-Up (They Pressure You Down)

Solutions:

1. Break their posture first
2. Time sit-up when they're momentarily light
3. Use scissor sweep instead if they're heavy
4. Threaten submission to lighten their pressure
5. Hip escape to create angle first

Problem: Sweep Works But Can't Land in Mount

Solutions:

1. Maintain underhook throughout sweep
2. Follow momentum all the way over
3. Come up to knees first, then establish
4. Drive forward as you come up
5. Don't release control until position secured

Problem: They See It Coming and Prevent Setup

Solutions:

1. Don't telegraph - make sit-up explosive
2. Threaten different attacks first
3. Use broken posture to set up sit-up
4. Fake other sweeps, then hip bump
5. May be over-using it - mix up attacks

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🔄 Attack Chains & Combinations

Hip Bump ↔ Armbar (The Classic Dilemma)

This is THE fundamental combination:

Scenario 1: They Post

1. Sit up close
2. They base hand on mat
3. Hip bump sweep
4. Land in mount

Scenario 2: They Don't Post

1. Sit up close
2. They pull arm back or keep it tight
3. Can't base out
4. Immediately transition to armbar

Why This Works:

• Creates unavoidable dilemma
• Both options lead to your advantage
• Defense of one creates the other
• Beginner-friendly decision tree
• Forms foundation of guard attacking

Learn armbar details

Hip Bump → Guillotine

When sweep partially works:

1. Execute hip bump sweep
2. They defend by dropping head down
3. Their neck becomes exposed
4. Catch guillotine as you come up
5. Finish from mount or guard

Learn guillotine

Failed Scissor Sweep → Hip Bump

Create combination from failed attempt:

1. Attempt scissor sweep
2. They defend by keeping weight back
3. Their defensive posture is upright
4. Sit up immediately for hip bump
5. Different angle, different leverage

Learn scissor sweep

Hip Bump → Kimura

Alternative if sweep defended:

1. Sit up for hip bump
2. They post hand
3. Instead of sweeping, catch posted arm
4. Apply kimura grip (figure-4)
5. Sweep or submit with kimura

Learn kimura

Triangle Setup → Hip Bump

From broken posture:

1. Threaten triangle from closed guard
2. They posture up to defend
3. Sit up with them maintaining close
4. Execute hip bump as they posture
5. Natural flow from submission threat to sweep

Learn triangle

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💡 Advanced Concepts

Grip Variations

Traditional Wrap (Most Common)

• Underhook wrapped around back
• Hands can clasp together
• Very secure control
• Best for beginners

Lat Grip

• Underhook side grabs their lat
• Other hand posts
• Good gi control
• Prevents them backing away

Over-Under Control

• Underhook one side
• Overhook other side
• Maximum control
• Harder to establish

No-Gi Adaptation

• Same underhook principle
• Gable grip behind back
• Or wizard/whizzer control
• Sweatier = must be tighter

Creating the Setup

From Broken Posture:

• They're leaning on you
• Suddenly sit up as they try to posture
• Catch them during transition
• Very high percentage timing

From Failed Pass Attempt:

• They try to pass
• You defend and return to guard
• Immediately sit up
• Catch them during reset

From Stand-Up Defense:

• They try to stand to break guard
• Sit up as they rise
• Execute hip bump during their motion
• Use their upward momentum

From Failed Submission:

• Attempt triangle or armbar
• They defend and posture
• Sit up maintaining close distance
• Hip bump the defensive posture

Competition Strategy

Point Scoring:

• Reliable 2 points
• Clean execution looks good
• Can chain to mount (4 more points)
• Low risk if setup properly

Strategic Application:

• Good when opponent is passive
• Excellent against defensive players
• Forces them to choose (dilemma)
• Works at all experience levels

Tactical Timing:

• Early in match to establish offense
• When ahead (reliable, lower risk)
• When behind (leads to mount for more points)
• Any time they posture defensively

Against Different Body Types

Against Larger Opponents:

• Even more effective
• They often rely on base
• Hip bump uses their weight against them
• Timing over strength

Against Smaller Opponents:

• Easier to execute
• They may not post (take armbar)
• Good learning opportunity
• Focus on technique

Against Strong Opponents:

• Timing is critical
• May not be able to muscle it
• Wait for perfect post moment
• Explosive hip bump essential

Against Flexible Opponents:

• May not need to post as much
• Be ready for armbar option
• Can chain to other sweeps
• Stay active with combinations

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🎯 Belt-Level Expectations

White Belt Goals

Referenced in Beginner's Journey:

• Understand hip bump ↔ armbar relationship (Month 3-4)
• Execute against cooperative partner
• Make correct read: sweep or armbar
• Land in mount from successful sweep
• First combination attack learned

Blue Belt Development

Referenced in Skill Progression:

• Hip bump ↔ armbar against resistance
• Read reactions accurately and quickly
• Seamless transitions between options
• Application in live rolling consistently
• Timing against different opponents
• Setup from various guard situations
• Teaching the dilemma to white belts

Purple Belt Mastery

• High-percentage competition technique
• Advanced setups and entries
• Multiple follow-up options
• Works against resistant higher belts
• No-gi proficiency
• Creating setups proactively
• Understanding counters to teach defense
• Coaching nuanced details

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🎯 Next Steps

After understanding hip bump sweep fundamentals:

1. Master the dilemma → Hip bump ↔ armbar flow is essential
2. Drill 1000+ reps → This makes reaction automatic
3. Learn to create setups → Don't wait, create situations
4. Expand combinations → Add guillotine and kimura
5. Study timing → Video review your attempts
6. Apply to no-gi → Same principles, adjusted grips

🔗 Related Resources

Position Prerequisites

• Closed Guard - Primary position for hip bump
• Guard System Overview - Understanding guard philosophy
• Guard Dynamics - The guard vs pass battle

Combination Techniques

• Armbar - Essential combination (must learn together)
• Scissor Sweep - Alternative guard sweep
• Flower Sweep - Another combination option
• Guillotine - Follow-up submission
• Kimura - Alternative to sweep
• Sweeps Overview - All sweep techniques

Resulting Positions

• Mount - Where hip bump should land
• Side Control - Alternative landing position

Theoretical Foundation

• Principles & Theories - Leverage and reaction
• Body Reading - Reading their base
• Training Methods - How to practice effectively
• Technical Training Rhythms - Drilling structure

Progress Tracking

• Beginner's Journey - Month 3-4 first sweeps
• Skill Progression - Blue belt sweep mastery
• Drills - Guard-specific training routines
• Quick Reference - Gym-ready cheat sheets