What Counts as a Sweep in Jiu-Jitsu?

Although sweeps are a crucial component of a grappler’s basic skillset, many beginners are unfamiliar with what counts as a sweep in jiu-jitsu.

In jiu-jitsu, a sweep occurs when a practitioner transitions directly from the bottom position to the top position. This reversal must begin from a guard position to count as a sweep. A successful sweep will drastically improve your position and earn points in most jiu-jitsu matches.

Let’s explore that definition in greater detail. Once we do, you’ll have a firm understanding of how sweeping fits into your grappling style. Later, we’ll also reveal a few alternative moves you can use from the bottom position.

Examples of Sweeps in Jiu-Jitsu

The broad definition of a jiu-jitsu sweep means that there is a multitude of techniques that can count as a sweep. Here are some of the most common sweeping techniques you’ll come across during your training:

• Scissor sweep

• Hip bump sweep

• Butterfly sweep

There are many variations of the guard position, and each one offers multiple sweeping options. Most practitioners will eventually develop a preference for certain guard styles and sweeps, but the three in the list above are some of the simplest and most useful sweeps that practitioners of all skill levels can use.

What Positions Allow for Sweeping in Jiu-Jitsu?

Sweeps in jiu-jitsu begin from the guard position. Here are a few types of guard from which there are several sweeps you can use:

• Closed guard

• Open guard

• Half guard

The sweeps you use from closed guard will look much different from those you can use in open or half guard. However, each of those guard styles comes with many sweeping opportunities.

Non-Sweeping Jiu-Jitsu Moves from Guard Position

Sweeps are not the only type of technique available from the guard position. When you are on the bottom using guard, you have these options at your disposal:

• Submissions: Guard position gives you the chance to perform a submission rather than transitioning to a better position.

• Escapes: You can use guard to escape from the bottom position. This transition often results in both practitioners returning to a neutral standing position rather than switching top and bottom positions.

In an ideal situation, your initial sweep attempt will work immediately. However, that quick success is not likely to occur against an experienced opponent.

The best way to make your guard as effective as possible is to combine your submission, sweep, and escape attempts. Often, when your opponent defends against one of those moves, they will open the opportunity for you to complete one of the other two.

Jiu-Jitsu Sweeps vs. Reversals

Earlier, we mentioned that sweeps are a kind of reversal. However, not all reversals are sweeps. The distinction between sweeps and reversals is that:

• Reversals are any transitions that allow you to move from the bottom position to the top position

• Sweeps must be initiated from a guard position

To illustrate this distinction, let’s imagine you are in the bottom position and your opponent is in a dominant position, such as mount or side control. From that position, it’s possible for you to roll your opponent onto their back and end up on top. However, doing so counts as a reversal but not a sweep because you did not initiate the move from a guard position.

Why are Sweeps Important in Jiu-Jitsu?

Sweeps are a crucial part of jiu-jitsu because they give you offensive opportunities from your back. Without sweeps, practitioners in the guard position would need to rely on submissions and escapes alone. While such a strategy can be effective, sweeping allows for a more comprehensive and dynamic attack against the top opponent.

Other martial arts do not focus on developing techniques to use off of your back. Those martial arts tend to prioritize remaining in a standing position or maintaining the top position if the fight ends up on the ground.

Jiu-jitsu is different from other martial arts because it assumes that you will not always be skilled enough or strong enough to prevent your opponent from achieving a dominant top position. If you face an opponent who can consistently force you to your back, it is immensely beneficial to have an offensive skillset from that position.

The guard position is foundational to jiu-jitsu because it allows you to launch viable attacks while your opponent is on top of you. The sweeps and submission techniques that jiu-jitsu practitioners have developed over the years permit you to remain a formidable threat even when you are on your back. 

Other Types of Sweeps in Martial Arts

The term sweep has multiple meanings in martial arts. So far, we have described sweeps that take place in the context of ground fighting situations. Those techniques account for the most prevalent uses of the word sweep in jiu-jitsu.

While jiu-jitsu sweeps take place on the ground, there are also standing techniques that martial artists refer to as sweeps. These moves typically involve using your leg to sweep your opponent’s legs out from underneath them.

Sweeps from the standing position can occur in many forms, most of which result in tripping your opponent to the ground. In this context, a sweep is a type of takedown rather than a reversal.

Conclusion

Sweeping is a skill that every jiu-jitsu practitioner must learn if they wish to be effective while fighting from their back. Understanding what counts as a sweep in jiu-jitsu is the first step toward adding that skill to your grappling game.