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Positional
Sweep · sweep

Hip bump sweep from closed guard

A sweep from closed guard. When your opponent straightens up to attack or control your hips, you can reverse the position with a fast hip drive that takes them over to one side.

Flow map
1 in · 1 out
Starting position
BottomClosed Guard
You are hereHip bump sweep from closed guardSweep
Where it leads
TopMount
Prerequisites
  • Closed guard locked high on their hips
  • They straighten up or rise
  • A grip on their arm or sleeve on the sweeping side
  • Be dynamic. Moving fast and following with your hips is what makes it work.
Mechanics · 5 steps
I
Grab their elbow or arm and the sleeve on the same side
The grip traps their arm so they can't post as they fall. Without it, they post and stop the sweep.
II
Sit up high: your torso almost vertical
Sitting up gives you the leverage to sweep. Lying flat, you have no force to drive with.
Correctness test ·Your torso should be nearly vertical before the hip drive.
III
Drive your hips hard up and to the side: it takes them over
Your hip is the lever: you push their hips past their center of gravity and they lose balance.
IV
Turn your shoulder line, not just your hips
Hips alone aren't enough. Rotating your shoulders toward the sweep adds power and cuts their chance to post.
V
Follow them over: you land in mount
Following the sweep straight away takes you to mount without a pause. Otherwise it stalls back in guard.
Defenses · if he… then you…
Opponent
They sit back down onto their heels or the mat and return to a low base, blocking the sweep
Your response
Try again when they straighten up, or attack a triangle choke or armbar as they pull their elbow out.
Opponent
They post with their free hand as they fall
Your response
Hold their arm or sleeve tight, drive your hips hard up and turn your shoulders toward the sweep. Even slowed down, the sweep can still go through.
Common mistakes
Trying to sweep without lifting your torso high enough
No leverage: there isn't enough force to take them over. They can flatten you or post on their free hand.
No grip on their arm
They post with their free hand and don't go over.
Following too slowly after the sweep
They stop and you don't reach mount. You end up in half guard or closed guard.
DRILLS · IMPROVEMENT EXERCISES
Section in development. Plan: for each technique/position I'll add solo or partner drills to strengthen your movement patterns and timing.