Hey Southern Soul Family!

Today, we’re diving into a classic and highly effective sweep: the Flower Sweep from closed guard. Also known as the pendulum sweep, this move is a fundamental technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that allows you to transition from a defensive position to an offensive one, landing you in a dominant mount position.

The Flower Sweep is not just about power—it’s about technique, timing, and using your opponent’s momentum against them. Whether you’re a beginner looking to add more tools to your arsenal or an advanced practitioner refining your skills, this breakdown will help you perfect your Flower Sweep!

What is the Flower Sweep?

The Flower Sweep is a dynamic technique from the closed guard that involves unbalancing your opponent and using a pendulum-like motion to sweep them onto their back, allowing you to transition to the mount position. It’s a great way to surprise your opponent, especially if they are postured up and trying to pass your guard.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Let’s go through the steps to execute a perfect Flower Sweep:

1. Secure the Closed Guard

Start by establishing a solid closed guard position. This means your legs are wrapped around your opponent’s waist, and you’re controlling their posture by holding onto their collar or sleeves. Your opponent should be in a kneeling or squatting position in front of you.

2. Control the Sleeve and Set Up the Arm

Choose the arm you want to attack. Let’s say you decide to go for their right arm. Reach up with your left hand and grab their right sleeve. Make sure you have a strong grip—this is crucial for controlling their balance. At the same time, your right hand should reach across their body to grip the fabric near their left armpit or collar.

3. Open the Guard and Position Your Leg

Now, open your guard and drop your left leg down toward the mat. Your left leg should extend outward in a sweeping motion, creating a pendulum effect. This movement helps generate the momentum needed for the sweep.

4. Underhook the Opposite Leg

While maintaining your grip on their sleeve, use your right hand to reach under their left leg. The key here is to get a deep underhook. This underhook is critical because it will give you leverage to lift their leg and further disrupt their balance.

5. Create an Angle and Swing Your Leg

With your left leg extended out as a pendulum, swing it under your opponent’s body towards your right side. This motion should coincide with pulling their sleeve across their body and lifting their underhooked leg. The combined motion of pulling and swinging will off-balance your opponent, making them lighter on the side you’re sweeping towards.

6. Finish the Sweep

As your opponent’s balance shifts, continue to pull their arm across your body while simultaneously lifting their leg with your underhook. Your left leg, now acting as a pendulum, should swing back under your opponent, helping to tip them over towards your right side. Use your momentum to follow through, turning your body towards the mount position.

7. Secure the Mount Position

Once your opponent is swept onto their back, maintain your grips and posture up into the mount position. Make sure to establish a solid base with your knees wide and your weight distributed evenly to prevent any counter sweeps or escapes from your opponent.

Key Tips for Success

  • Timing and Coordination: The Flower Sweep relies heavily on timing and coordination. Practice swinging your leg in a smooth pendulum motion while simultaneously controlling your opponent’s sleeve and underhooking their leg.
  • Use Your Hips: Don’t rely solely on your arms and legs; use your hips to generate power and leverage in the sweep. Your hips should rotate and drive upwards as you swing your leg and pull on the sleeve.
  • Keep Your Opponent Off-Balance: The success of the Flower Sweep depends on keeping your opponent off-balance. If they’re able to maintain their base, the sweep will be much harder to execute. Focus on pulling their sleeve across their body and lifting their leg to keep them unstable.
  • Drill, Drill, Drill: Like any technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, drilling is key. Practice the Flower Sweep with different training partners to get a feel for timing and weight distribution.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not Using the Pendulum Motion: Without the proper pendulum motion of your leg, the sweep will lack the momentum needed to be effective. Make sure to fully commit to swinging your leg to create the necessary force.
  • Losing Control of the Sleeve: If you lose control of your opponent’s sleeve, they can easily post their hand and stop the sweep. Maintain a strong grip on the sleeve throughout the technique.
  • Improper Leg Placement: Placing your sweeping leg too low or too high can reduce the effectiveness of the sweep. Aim to position your leg under your opponent’s armpit or chest for maximum leverage.

Final Thoughts

The Flower Sweep is a fantastic addition to your BJJ game, offering a reliable way to transition from guard to a dominant position. Remember, the key to mastering this sweep is in the details—the pendulum motion, the grips, and the timing. Take your time to practice each step, and soon, you’ll be sweeping opponents with ease!

Happy training, and see you on the mats!