Flower Sweep

The Flower Sweep, also known as the pendulum sweep, is a powerful and versatile technique executed from Closed Guard. It utilizes a combination of momentum, leverage, and precise hip movement to unbalance and sweep an opponent, transitioning to a dominant position like Mount or Side Control. This sweep is especially effective when the opponent’s base is compromised or they post heavily on one side.

Key Principles

Momentum and Swing

  • A pendulum-like motion with your legs generates the force needed to lift and sweep your opponent.

Grip Fighting and Control

  • Proper grips on the arm and leg prevent your opponent from posting or stabilizing during the sweep.

Angles

  • Adjusting your body angle allows you to maximize leverage and create space for the sweep.

Leverage

  • Using your hips and legs effectively ensures you can lift and redirect your opponent’s weight.

Steps to Perform the Flower Sweep

Set-Up in Closed Guard

  • Start in a strong Closed Guard position with your opponent postured slightly forward or leaning to one side.

Secure Grips

  • Control one of their arms by gripping the sleeve or wrist. This prevents them from posting on that side.
  • With your other hand, grab their pants, belt, or the fabric near their knee on the opposite side.

Create the Angle

  • Shrimp your hips slightly away from the arm you’re controlling to create space and adjust your angle.
  • Open your guard while keeping your grips intact.

Swing Your Legs

  • Extend the leg on the side of your pants grip in a wide arc (pendulum motion) to generate momentum.
  • Use your free leg to push off their hip or frame against their body to assist with leverage.

Execute the Sweep

  • Use the momentum from the swinging leg to lift your opponent’s hips and tilt them over the direction of the controlled arm.
  • Drive with your hips and continue pulling with your grips to complete the sweep.

Follow Through to a Dominant Position

  • As they fall, follow the motion to transition into Mount or another dominant position like Side Control.

Common Variations

Armbar Setup

  • If your opponent defends by retracting their arm, transition into an Armbar by pivoting your hips.

Triangle Choke Setup

  • If they post with their free arm, switch to a Triangle Choke by trapping their head and arm.

Overhead Sweep Variation

  • Use the momentum to elevate your opponent over your head before directing them to the side.

Common Applications

Opponent Posturing Forward

  • Use the pendulum motion to unbalance them and sweep to a dominant position.

Against Aggressive Passers

  • Capitalize on their forward pressure to initiate the sweep.

In Combination with Other Attacks

Tip

Timing is critical for the Flower Sweep. Execute the pendulum motion smoothly and in sync with your grips and hip movement to maximize its effectiveness.

By mastering the Flower Sweep, you can develop a strong Closed Guard game that combines dynamic sweeps with submission opportunities, allowing you to dictate the pace of the match.

Positioning

The Flower Sweep is primarily executed from Closed Guard, but its mechanics and variations allow it to be adapted from several other positions. Below is a breakdown of the positions where the Flower Sweep can be effectively applied:

Primary Position

Closed Guard

  • The Flower Sweep is most commonly executed from Closed Guard, where you can secure the necessary grips on your opponent’s arm and leg while generating the pendulum-like motion to unbalance them.

Guard Variations

Open Guard

  • Transition into a Flower Sweep by controlling the opponent’s arm and leg and using a similar pendulum motion, particularly when their base is compromised.

Half Guard

  • When transitioning out of Half Guard, you can create space, secure grips, and apply the sweep by using your legs to generate the pendulum motion.

Butterfly Guard

  • If your opponent leans forward or pressures into your guard, you can transition into a Closed Guard setup or insert hooks to mimic the pendulum mechanics of the Flower Sweep.

X Guard or Single-Leg X Guard

  • Transition into a Flower Sweep variation by controlling your opponent’s arm and lifting their leg in a pendulum-like motion.

Defensive and Counter Positions

Opponent Standing in Your Guard

  • If your opponent stands to open your Closed Guard, you can adapt the Flower Sweep by grabbing their pants or ankle and using your pendulum motion to sweep them.

Opponent Pressuring Forward in Closed Guard

  • Use their forward posture to create an angle for the sweep, controlling their arm and leg to prevent posts.

Opponent Attempting Combat Base

  • When your opponent is kneeling with one knee up, you can secure grips on their posted leg and apply the Flower Sweep mechanics to unbalance them.

Dynamic Transitions

From Scissor Sweep Setup

  • If the Scissor Sweep fails or your opponent defends by widening their base, transition into the Flower Sweep by adjusting your grips and swinging your legs into the pendulum motion.

From Armbar or Triangle Choke Attempts

  • If your opponent defends against a submission, you can switch to a Flower Sweep by controlling their arm and leg and generating momentum with your legs.

Submission and Sweep Combinations

With Armbar Threat

  • When your opponent defends the sweep by stiff-arming or pulling away, transition into an Armbar by pivoting your hips.

With Triangle Choke Threat

  • If your opponent posts their free arm to defend, trap their head and arm to transition into a Triangle Choke.
Tip

The Flower Sweep is highly effective when your opponent’s base is compromised or they are postured forward. Focus on maintaining tight grips and using smooth, continuous momentum with your legs to execute the pendulum motion.

By mastering these positional setups and transitions, the Flower Sweep becomes a versatile tool, allowing you to attack dynamically from Closed Guard and related positions while seamlessly integrating sweeps and submissions.

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