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BeginnerElevator Sweep
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About This Technique
Elevator Sweep: A Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction
The Elevator Sweep is a fundamental technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) most commonly executed from the Open Guard or Butterfly Guard. It leverages both momentum and a change in elevation to destabilize and sweep an opponent.
Japanese Name
- N/A
Position
- Open Guard
- Butterfly Guard
Top/Bottom
- Bottom
Step-by-Step Instructions
Starting in Butterfly Guard
-
Set Up the Guard
- Begin seated with your legs curled underneath, planting the soles of your feet on the mat.
- Ensure your knees are slightly opened like butterfly wings.
- Establish grips by controlling your opponent's wrists, sleeves, or company lapels.
-
Establish Connections
- Slide your arms under your opponent’s armpits or grips and secure a firm control.
- Ensure your head is positioned in the center of your opponent’s chest.
-
Position Your Hooks
- Insert one of your legs under the opponent’s thigh while using it as a hook.
- Keep your other leg based on the mat for balance.
-
Initiate the Sweep
- Use your grips and leg hooks to pull your opponent slightly forward, breaking their balance.
- Drop your shoulder down on the same side as the hook, changing your upper body angle.
-
Execute the Sweep
- Lift your hooked leg upwards in an elevating motion.
- Simultaneously, use your extended leg planted on the mat to drive and pivot your hips towards the floor.
- As your opponent loses balance, continue to guide them over to the side.
-
Complete the Transition
- Maintain your grips and follow through by rotating your body over.
- Once they hit the mat, transition into a mount or side control position utilizing the momentum.
Tips for Success
- Timing and Leverage: Use your opponent’s forward movement or weight shift to initiate the sweep, capitalizing on the timing for better execution.
- Maintaining Contact: Keep close contact to eliminate space for counters.
- Balance and Control: Use your body as a lever, ensure your hips and head control the motion to aid the transition.
Conclusion
The Elevator Sweep is an essential BJJ technique that offers a strategic way to transition from the bottom to a dominant position on top. Practice the mechanics, timing, and leverage to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in sweeping opponents efficiently during sparring or competition.
How to Execute
# Elevator Sweep from Open Guard
## Setup
- **Initial Position Details:** Start in the open guard position. You will be on your back with your opponent kneeling in front of you. Your legs should be positioned in a way that allows you to control their posture and balance.
- **Grips and Controls Needed:** Establish a grip on one of your opponent's sleeves with your opposite hand (e.g., your right hand grips their left sleeve). Use your other hand to control their ankle on the same side as your sleeve grip. Your same-side foot should be placed on your opponent's hip, while your opposite foot hooks behind their opposite knee (this is your elevator hook).
## Steps
1. **Break their posture:** Pull the sleeve toward you while simultaneously using your foot on their hip to push, disrupting their balance and forcing them to lean forward slightly.
2. **Create an angle:** Shrimp your hips slightly away from your opponent to create an angle. This movement should feel like you are moving your hips out to the side opposite to your elevator hook.
3. **Elevate and sweep:** As your opponent's weight shifts forward, lift their far leg using your elevator hook. Simultaneously, pull their sleeve across your body and roll them over the shoulder of your sleeve-gripping arm. Your goal is to use the momentum and leverage from your hook and sleeve pull to turn them over.
4. **Complete the sweep:** As your opponent rolls over, follow through by turning your body to face them. Use your hands and legs to help you come up on top, transitioning into a dominant top position, ideally the mount or side control.
## Key Points
- **Important Details to Remember:**
- Ensure your elevator hook is well-positioned behind your opponent's knee to maximize leverage during the sweep.
- Keep the sleeve grip tight to control their posture and limit their ability to base out with their arm.
- **Common Mistakes to Avoid:**
- Failing to create a proper angle by not moving your hips out enough, which can make the sweep less effective.
- Not pulling the sleeve across your body firmly, allowing your opponent to base out and prevent the sweep.
- Neglecting to follow through and come up on top after the sweep, which can result in losing the dominant position.
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