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IntermediateLumberjack Sweep
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About This Technique
Position: Open Guard
Technique Name: Lumberjack Sweep
The Lumberjack Sweep is a classic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique typically employed from the open guard when your opponent is standing or about to stand. It effectively disrupts their balance, causing them to fall, allowing you to transition to a more dominant position.
Step-by-Step Detailed Instructions:
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Set-up and Control:
- Begin in an open guard position with your opponent standing over you or preparing to stand.
- Control your opponent's ankles with both hands; your right hand on their right ankle and your left hand on their left ankle.
- Your opponent's feet should be inside of your legs at the time of execution to prevent easy escape.
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Establish a Hook:
- Use your right foot to hook behind your opponent's left knee.
- It should be placed deep enough to prevent slipping out as you execute the sweep.
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Create a Leveraged Push:
- Plant your left foot on your opponent's right hip to develop a solid base for the sweep.
- Alternatively, you can position it on the opponent's right thigh or knee if needed for better leverage.
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Engage the Sweep:
- Push against your opponent’s hip with your left foot strongly, while simultaneously pulling on the right ankle.
- The combined action of pushing with your left leg and pulling with your hands will disrupt their balance.
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Complete the Sweep:
- Continue applying pressure with both your foot and hands to topple your opponent backward.
- Maintain ankle control until they land on the ground. This will prevent them from basing out to stabilize.
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Transition to a Dominant Position:
- As they fall, follow their movement to establish the top position, ideally into full mount or a passing position.
- If possible, relinquish ankle control to grip their collar for more balanced establishment on top.
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Stabilize and Secure:
- Once on top, ensure your weight is distributed evenly and look to secure a dominant position to continue your attack.
- Prepare to capitalize on any openings for submission attempts or further positional advances.
How to Execute
# Lumberjack Sweep from Open Guard
## Setup
- **Initial Position Details**: Begin in the open guard position with your opponent kneeling in front of you. Your legs should be in a butterfly position with your feet on your opponent's hips.
- **Grips and Controls Needed**: Establish a cross-collar grip with one hand, grabbing deep into your opponent’s collar. Use your other hand to grip your opponent’s sleeve or, alternatively, their pant leg at the knee.
## Steps
1. **Create Distance and Control**:
- Use your feet on your opponent’s hips to maintain distance and create a push-pull dynamic. Keep your knees slightly bent to allow for movement.
2. **Break Opponent’s Posture**:
- Pull with the cross-collar grip to break your opponent’s posture. This should bring their weight forward, making them less balanced.
3. **Shift Your Hips**:
- Drop one of your feet from the hip to the inside of your opponent’s thigh, keeping the other foot active on their hip. This creates a directional imbalance.
4. **Initiate the Sweep**:
- Use your foot on your opponent’s thigh to push their knee backward while simultaneously pulling with your grips. This action should cause your opponent to lose balance and tip backward.
5. **Follow Through with the Sweep**:
- As your opponent tips backward, maintain control with your grips and use the momentum to follow them. Shift your hips forward and come up onto your knees.
6. **Secure the Top Position**:
- As your opponent lands on their back, ideally you land in a dominant position such as mount or side control. Keep your grips tight to control their upper body and stabilize your position.
## Key Points
- **Maintain Proper Grip Tension**: Ensure your grips on the collar and sleeve (or pant leg) are firm to effectively control your opponent’s posture and balance.
- **Timing and Balance**: The lumberjack sweep relies heavily on timing. Initiate the sweep when you feel your opponent’s weight is forward and their base is compromised.
- **Common Mistakes to Avoid**:
- Do not overextend your legs; maintain a bend in your knees for better control.
- Avoid pulling directly backward with your grips; instead, focus on a diagonal pull to disrupt their base.
- Ensure you follow through with your hips during the sweep to maintain top control.
By following these steps and key points, you can effectively execute the Lumberjack Sweep from the open guard position, transitioning to a dominant position on top.
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