Hook Sweep

The Hook Sweep is a highly effective technique from Butterfly Guard that uses hooks created by your legs to off-balance and sweep your opponent. This sweep exploits your opponent's forward pressure or weight shift, using leverage, momentum, and proper hip movement to topple their base and transition into dominant positions like Mount or Side Control.

Key Principles

Hooks and Leverage

  • The primary force for the sweep comes from the hooks placed under your opponent’s legs, allowing you to lift and redirect their center of gravity.

Grip Fighting

  • Secure grips on your opponent’s upper body to control their posture and prevent them from regaining base.

Angles

  • Creating the correct angle ensures you can lift your opponent’s weight efficiently while directing their fall.

Timing

  • The sweep is most effective when your opponent’s weight shifts forward, making them vulnerable to being unbalanced.

Steps to Perform the Hook Sweep

Set-Up in Butterfly Guard

  • Sit in Butterfly Guard with your feet hooked inside your opponent’s thighs and your knees flared outward.
  • Engage your core and maintain an upright posture to keep your opponent from flattening you.

Secure Grips

Create the Angle

  • Scoot your hips slightly to the side of your underhook, positioning yourself at an angle to elevate their leg effectively.
  • Your head should align close to their torso on the underhooked side for better leverage.

Off-Balance Your Opponent

  • Pull your opponent forward using your grips to break their posture and shift their weight onto the side you plan to sweep.
  • Use your hooks to lift their leg and tilt their hips upward.

Execute the Sweep

  • Extend your hook on the underhooked side while pulling with your grips and turning your body to guide their weight over.
  • Simultaneously, drive with your hips to maximize leverage and redirect their momentum.

Transition to a Dominant Position

  • As your opponent falls, maintain control of their upper body and follow through to Mount or Side Control.

Variations of the Hook Sweep

Single Hook Sweep

  • If you lose one hook, use the remaining hook to elevate your opponent’s leg while maintaining grips to complete the sweep.

Arm Drag Setup

  • Use an Arm Drag to expose your opponent’s side, then transition into the Hook Sweep by inserting a hook and pulling them over.

Counter to Butterfly Sweep Defense

  • If your opponent counters the Butterfly Sweep by posting their arm or adjusting their weight, transition to a Hook Sweep on the opposite side.

Common Applications

Against Forward Pressure

  • Effective when your opponent leans forward to pass your guard or apply pressure.

Breaking Strong Base

  • Use the Hook Sweep to counter an opponent with a solid base, redirecting their weight by lifting their leg.

In Combination with Other Attacks

Tip

For a successful Hook Sweep, focus on precise angles, tight Underhooks, and using your hip movement to stay connected and redirect your opponent's weight effectively.

By mastering the Hook Sweep, you can develop a reliable and versatile tool to control opponents, transition to dominant positions, and maintain offensive momentum.

Positioning

The Hook Sweep is primarily executed from Butterfly Guard, but its mechanics and variations make it adaptable from a variety of positions. Below is a breakdown of positions where the Hook Sweep can be applied effectively:

Primary Position

Butterfly Guard

  • The Hook Sweep is most commonly executed from Butterfly Guard, where your hooks are already in place to lift and redirect your opponent’s base.

Guard Variations

Half Guard with a Hook

  • From Half Guard, insert a butterfly hook under your opponent’s leg to off-balance them and execute a modified Hook Sweep.

Closed Guard Transition

  • Open your guard and transition into Butterfly Guard by inserting hooks, creating the opportunity for a Hook Sweep.

Open Guard

  • From Open Guard, establish hooks on your opponent’s thighs and use a Hook Sweep to elevate and topple their base.

X Guard or Single-Leg X Guard

  • Transition to a Hook Sweep when your opponent’s weight shifts forward or they lean in to counter your X Guard attacks.

Defensive and Counter Positions

Opponent Pressuring in Guard

  • When your opponent applies heavy forward pressure in any guard, transition to Butterfly Guard and execute the Hook Sweep using their momentum.

Opponent in Combat Base

  • If your opponent kneels with one leg up, use a butterfly hook on their posted leg to execute the sweep.

Counter to Toreando Pass

  • If your opponent attempts a Toreando Pass, establish hooks on their legs and execute a Hook Sweep by redirecting their weight.

Dynamic Transitions

From a Failed Butterfly Sweep

  • If your opponent counters your Butterfly Sweep by posting or shifting their weight, transition to the opposite side and execute a Hook Sweep.

From an Arm Drag

  • Use the Arm Drag to create an angle, then insert a hook and transition into the Hook Sweep.

From De La Riva

Submission and Sweep Combinations

With a Guillotine Choke Threat

  • Threaten a Guillotine to force your opponent to react, then execute the Hook Sweep when they commit forward.

With a Triangle Choke Setup

  • If your opponent resists by pulling their arm away, transition to a Triangle Choke after initiating the sweep.

Other Situations

During Scrambles

  • Use the Hook Sweep in dynamic exchanges or scrambles where you can establish hooks on your opponent’s legs and control their upper body.

While Recovering Guard

  • Insert butterfly hooks during guard retention and sweep your opponent as they pressure forward.
Tip

The Hook Sweep thrives in positions where your opponent’s base is compromised or they are leaning forward. Tight Underhooks, active hooks, and precise hip movement are key to its success.

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