Scissor Sweep
Quick Introductionโ
The scissor sweep is the most fundamental and highest-percentage sweep from closed guard. Using a scissoring motion with your legs, you off-balance your opponent and reverse positions. It's typically the first sweep taught to beginners because of its reliability and clear mechanics.
Position Overviewโ
Type: Off-balancing sweep using leg scissor motion
Station: Sweeps - Guard reversals
Achieved from: Closed guard, transitional open guard positions
Leads to: Mount, side control, knee-on-belly
Points: 2 points when established for 3 seconds (IBJJF)
Scissor Sweep Execution (Step by Step)โ
Starting Positionโ
You're in closed guard with opponent in front of you, either kneeling or standing postured up.
Execution Sequenceโ
1. Establish Strong Grips
- Same-side grip: Control their collar (cross collar grip preferred)
- Opposite-side grip: Control their sleeve at elbow or wrist
- Alternative: Collar and tricep control
- Ensure grips are tight before opening guard
2. Open Your Guard
- Release ankle lock from closed guard
- Maintain grip control throughout
- Keep feet on their hips momentarily
- Don't let them create distance
3. Position the Scissoring Legs
- Top leg (collar grip side): Place shin across their belt line/lower abdomen
- Shin should be tight against their body, not floating
- Toes pointing away from them
- Bottom leg (sleeve grip side): Hook behind their knee on the same side
- Foot hooks behind their knee, not on top
- This leg prevents them posting
4. Create the Off-Balance
- Pull with collar grip (breaking posture forward)
- Pull with sleeve grip (controlling their arm)
- Push with top shin (moving their hips back)
- Your grips and top leg work together
- They should feel tilted toward the hooking leg side
5. Execute the Scissor Motion
- Top leg pushes their upper body away/back
- Bottom leg pulls their lower body toward you
- This creates the "scissoring" action
- Your legs move in opposite directions
- Their base completely collapses
6. Drive Through the Sweep
- Turn your body toward the direction of sweep
- Follow the momentum
- Come up on your side/elbow initially
- Drive through to complete the reversal
7. Land in Dominant Position
- Finish in mount (ideal)
- Or side control if they turn
- Or knee-on-belly for immediate pressure
- Maintain control of their arm throughout
- Establish position for 3 seconds for points
Critical Detailsโ
Positioning Detailsโ
Shin Placement (Top Leg)
- Must be tight to their body, not floating away
- Across belt line or lower abdomen
- Blade of shin makes contact, not ankle or knee
- Create rigid frame, not flexible contact
Hook Placement (Bottom Leg)
- Behind their knee, not on top
- Deep hook, not shallow
- Foot flexed and active
- This prevents them posting this leg
Hip Angle
- Don't be directly under them
- Create 30-45 degree angle to the side
- Hip escape slightly before executing
- Angle makes sweep easier and more effective
Grip Detailsโ
Collar Grip (Primary Control)
- Cross collar deep grip (4 fingers inside)
- Or same-side collar grip higher on neck
- This grip breaks their posture
- Pull down and to the side during sweep
Sleeve/Arm Grip (Secondary Control)
- Control their arm on the hooking leg side
- Prevents them posting this hand to defend
- Pull this arm across during sweep
- Keep it away from their body
Common Grip Combinations:
- Cross collar + opposite sleeve (traditional)
- Same-side collar + same-side tricep (close-range)
- Cross collar + pants grip (modern variation)
Timing Elementsโ
Best Timing Opportunities:
- When they're trying to posture up
- As they transition from standing to kneeling
- When they reach for your collar
- When they lean forward slightly
- After breaking their posture
Signs They're Sweepable:
- Weight is forward
- Hand is reaching or posting
- They're not heavy on their base
- Their posture is broken or breaking
- They're focused on passing
Important Observations (General Rules)โ
Core Principlesโ
- ๐ฏ Grips first, then legs - Never open guard without control
- ๐ช Shin tight to body - Floating shin = failed sweep
- โฑ๏ธ Angle before sweep - Being flat underneath makes it harder
- ๐ Hook prevents posting - The bottom leg is crucial
- ๐ฎ Commit fully - Half-hearted scissor motion fails
Connection to Theoriesโ
Applying core principles:
- Leverage: Legs pushing/pulling vs their compromised base
- Off-Balancing: Removing one leg's posting ability, tilting upper body
- Hip Control: Your legs control their hip positioning
- Grip Control: Hands prevent defensive postures
- Angular Advantage: 45-degree angle multiplies effectiveness
Applying body reading concepts:
- Weight Distribution: Read where their weight is centered
- Base Recognition: Identify their three points of stability
- Posture Reading: Broken posture = sweep opportunity
- Movement Anticipation: Sweep when they're shifting weight
Common Mistakesโ
โ ๏ธ Top shin too high - Shin on their chest is too high, loses leverage
- โ Fix: Shin across belt line, not chest
โ ๏ธ Bottom leg not hooking deep - Shallow hook allows posting
- โ Fix: Get deep behind their knee
โ ๏ธ No hip angle - Being flat underneath reduces effectiveness
- โ Fix: Hip escape 30-45 degrees first
โ ๏ธ Opening guard without grips - They create distance instantly
- โ Fix: Secure grips, then open guard
โ ๏ธ Pushing and pulling in same direction - Not scissoring
- โ Fix: Top leg pushes away, bottom leg pulls in
โ ๏ธ Not following through - Stopping the motion halfway
- โ Fix: Complete the reversal, land in position
โ ๏ธ Weak grips - Can't control their upper body
- โ Fix: Establish strong grips before attempting
๐ Training Progressionsโ
Solo Drillsโ
Drill 1: Scissor Motion Practice (10 reps each side)
- Lie on back, simulate closed guard
- Practice opening and placing legs
- Focus on shin across, hook behind knee
- Execute scissoring motion in air
- Build muscle memory
Drill 2: Hip Escape to Angle (20 reps)
- From flat on back to angled position
- Practice the preparatory hip movement
- Essential for all guard work
- Foundation for scissor sweep entry
Drill 3: Grip to Sweep Flow (10 reps)
- Practice establishing grips
- Open guard with control
- Place legs in position
- Execute scissor motion
- Full sequence without partner
Partner Drillsโ
Level 1: Cooperative (No Resistance)
- Partner in your closed guard, static
- Practice full scissor sweep 20 times each side
- Focus: Perfect leg placement and grips
- Partner allows themselves to be swept
- Land in mount every time
Drilling Points:
- Is shin tight to their body?
- Is hook deep behind knee?
- Are grips strong and correct?
- Does scissor motion feel coordinated?
- Landing in proper position?
Level 2: Light Resistance (25%)
- Partner maintains good posture
- Partner posts lightly when swept
- Practice breaking posture first
- Then execute scissor sweep
- Focus: Setup and timing
Drilling Points:
- Creating angle before sweep
- Breaking posture with grips
- Recognizing the right moment
- Adjusting if they defend
Level 3: Positional Sparring (50%)
- Start in closed guard
- You can only scissor sweep
- Partner defends but stays in range
- Practice setups and combinations
- 3-minute rounds
Drilling Points:
- Creating opportunities with threats
- Timing against moving opponent
- Recovering when sweep fails
- Chaining to other attacks
Level 4: Live Application (100%)
- Regular rolling
- Hunt for scissor sweep opportunities
- Apply against full resistance
- Focus: Recognition and execution
Drilling Points:
- When does opportunity present?
- What setups work best?
- How do different opponents defend?
- What combinations work?
Common Setup Drillsโ
Drill 1: Posture Break to Scissor Sweep
- Closed guard with opponent postured
- Establish collar and sleeve grips
- Break their posture down
- As they try to posture back up, scissor sweep
- 10 reps, focusing on timing
- Teaches reactive timing
Drill 2: Failed Armbar to Scissor Sweep
- Setup armbar from closed guard
- Partner defends and postures
- Transition directly to scissor sweep
- Their defense creates perfect setup
- 10 reps as flow drill
- Teaches combination thinking
Drill 3: Scissor Sweep Series
- Attempt scissor sweep one side
- If defended, switch to opposite side
- Then attempt hip bump sweep
- Then attempt flower sweep
- Continuous flow for 5 minutes
- Teaches sweep chains
Progression Timelineโ
Following training methods:
- Week 1-2: Learn basic mechanics (no resistance)
- Week 3-4: Add light resistance, practice setups
- Week 5-8: Positional drilling, timing development
- Month 3-6: Live application, combination awareness
- Month 6+: High-percentage weapon, teaching others
๐ง Troubleshooting Guideโ
Problem: They Don't Fall Overโ
Possible Causes & Solutions:
Issue 1: Their base is too good
- Solution: Break their posture first before attempting
- Solution: Create angle with hip escape
- Solution: Time sweep when they're moving
Issue 2: Bottom leg hook not preventing post
- Solution: Hook deeper behind knee
- Solution: Pull that leg toward you actively
- Solution: Ensure you're hooking correct leg (same side as sleeve grip)
Issue 3: Top shin not creating push
- Solution: Get shin tighter to their body
- Solution: Lower shin to belt line, not chest
- Solution: Active push, not just placement
Issue 4: Not committing to the motion
- Solution: Increase intensity of scissor motion
- Solution: Pull grips harder while scissoring
- Solution: Follow through completely, don't stop halfway
Problem: They Post Their Hand and Stay Upโ
Solutions:
- Better sleeve control prevents this
- Pull their posting arm across their body
- Time sweep before they can post
- Transition to armbar on that posted arm
- Switch to flower sweep if arm is extended
Problem: Guard Opens But Can't Get Legs Positionedโ
Solutions:
- Establish grips first, guard second
- Keep feet on hips while transitioning legs
- Hip escape to create angle first
- Practice leg positioning in solo drills
- Slow down - positioning matters more than speed
Problem: They Stand Up Before Sweep Executesโ
Solutions:
- Break posture lower first
- Execute faster once legs are positioned
- If they stand, transition to different sweep
- Use standing open guard sweeps instead
- Don't telegraph by slowly placing legs
Problem: Sweep Works But Don't Land in Good Positionโ
Solutions:
- Maintain collar grip throughout
- Follow the momentum completely
- Come up to your knees, then establish mount
- Drive forward as you come up
- Practice the completion in drilling
Problem: Works on Smaller People, Not Largerโ
Solutions:
- Angle becomes even more critical
- Use their forward momentum
- Perfect timing vs trying to force it
- Break posture more completely first
- Consider this is a technique-refinement issue, not size
๐ Attack Chains & Combinationsโ
Scissor Sweep โ Failed โ Flower Sweepโ
When scissor sweep is defended:
- They base out heavy on the hooking leg side
- Your bottom leg is already positioned
- Swing that leg over their back
- Execute flower/pendulum sweep
- Natural combination
Armbar โ Defended โ Scissor Sweepโ
From closed guard:
- Setup armbar attempt
- They defend by posturing up and pulling arm
- Their posture and position perfect for scissor sweep
- Already have grips and angles
- Execute scissor sweep immediately
Scissor Sweep โ Triangle Chokeโ
When sweep partially works:
- Execute scissor sweep
- They defend by turning and turtling
- Take back or attack with choke
- Or if they defend with arm positioning
- Transition to triangle from sweep position
Hip Bump โ Scissor Sweep Flowโ
Create dilemma:
- Sit up for hip bump sweep
- They base away from bump
- Their weight shift creates scissor sweep opportunity
- Execute scissor sweep opposite direction
- One sweep sets up the other
Scissor Sweep โ Mount โ Submissionโ
Complete attack sequence:
- Execute scissor sweep to completion
- Land in mount position
- Immediately attack with armbar or choke
- Seamless transition from sweep to submission
- Use momentum from sweep
๐ก Advanced Conceptsโ
Grip Variationsโ
Traditional: Cross Collar + Opposite Sleeve
- Most common and reliable
- Best for beginners
- Controls posture and posting hand
- Works gi and no-gi (adapt grips)
Close Range: Same-Side Collar + Tricep
- When they're close and tight
- More control, less distance to close
- Good against pressure passers
- Harder to create angle
Modern Competition: Collar + Pants
- Prevents their guard break
- Controls their movement more
- Common in high-level competition
- Requires different leg positioning
No-Gi Adaptation: Overhook + Underhook
- Can't grab collar or sleeves
- Overhook on one side
- Underhook or wrist control other side
- Same principles, different grips
Against Different Guard Breaking Stylesโ
Against Standing Guard Break
- Wait for them to stand
- Scissor sweep as they're rising
- Time it during transition
- Very high percentage opportunity
Against Kneeling Guard Break
- Standard scissor sweep application
- They're in ideal position
- Break posture first
- Execute as they posture back up
Against Stacking/Pressure
- More difficult position
- Hip escape to create angle first
- May need to threaten submission first
- Or transition to different guard
Competition Applicationโ
Strategic Use:
- Reliable point scorer (2 points)
- High percentage under pressure
- Conservative sweep (low risk if fails)
- Good when ahead (maintain lead)
- Good when behind (reliable points)
Scoring Considerations:
- Must establish position 3 seconds
- Land in proper control position
- Don't let them immediately recover
- Transition to pass or mount quickly
Setting Up for Points:
- Break posture first (looks more controlled)
- Make sweep look smooth and controlled
- Establish mount for additional 2 points
- Very clean technique impresses judges
Body Type Considerationsโ
Against Larger Opponents:
- Angle is even more critical
- Use their weight against them
- Perfect timing over forcing
- Break posture completely before attempting
Against Smaller Opponents:
- Easier to execute
- Focus on clean technique
- Good position to learn fundamentals
- Don't rely on strength
Against Flexible Opponents:
- Harder to break posture
- May need better grips
- Create more angle
- Be prepared to chain to other sweeps
Against Strong/Athletic Opponents:
- Timing becomes crucial
- Can't muscle the technique
- Use their movement and reactions
- Perfect setups required
๐ฏ Belt-Level Expectationsโ
White Belt Goalsโ
Referenced in Beginner's Journey:
- Understand scissor sweep mechanics (Month 3-4)
- Execute against cooperative partner
- Land in mount consistently
- Basic grip control and leg positioning
- First sweep learned and mastered
Blue Belt Developmentโ
Referenced in Skill Progression:
- Scissor sweep against resistance
- Multiple grip variations
- Combination with armbar and triangle
- Consistent application in rolling
- Timing against different opponents
- Teaching ability for white belts
Purple Belt Masteryโ
- High-percentage competition weapon
- Advanced setups and timing
- Works against higher-level opponents
- Seamless combinations and chains
- No-gi proficiency
- Problem-solving failed attempts
- Teaching nuances effectively
๐ฏ Next Stepsโ
After understanding scissor sweep fundamentals:
- Drill extensively โ 1000+ reps builds automatic response
- Master the setup โ 80% of sweep success is the setup
- Learn combinations โ Flower sweep and armbar
- Practice against resistance โ Progressive difficulty builds real skill
- Study your failures โ Every missed sweep teaches something
- Expand guard game โ Apply to different guard positions
๐ Related Resourcesโ
Position Prerequisitesโ
- Closed Guard - Primary position for scissor sweep
- Guard System Overview - Understanding guard philosophy
- Guard Dynamics - The guard vs pass battle
Combination Techniquesโ
- Flower Sweep - Natural follow-up when scissor is defended
- Hip Bump Sweep - Alternative direction sweep
- Armbar - Perfect combination attack
- Triangle - Another guard attack
- Sweeps Overview - All sweep techniques
Theoretical Foundationโ
- Principles & Theories - Leverage and off-balancing
- Body Reading - Reading weight distribution
- Training Methods - How to practice effectively
- Technical Training Rhythms - Drilling structure
Progress Trackingโ
- 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