Leg Hook Sweep

The Leg Hook Sweep is a technique used to transition from Butterfly Guard or Half Guard to a dominant top position by off-balancing your opponent. It uses Leverage, Angles, and Connection to break their Base and execute the sweep effectively.

Steps to Execute the Leg Hook Sweep

Establish the Guard Position

In Butterfly Guard, maintain a seated posture with hooks engaging your opponent's inner thighs. In Half Guard, position your outside leg to hook your opponent’s leg securely.

Set Up the Hook

Use your outside leg to hook around your opponent’s leg, creating a strong connection. This hook acts as a lever for the sweep.

Control the Upper Body

Secure a grip on your opponent, such as their collar, sleeve, or an Underhook, to prevent them from posting and regaining balance.

Create Angles and Off-Balance

Shift your body to one side to create an advantageous angle. Use your grips and leg hook to off-balance your opponent by pulling their upper body forward and lifting their hooked leg.

Execute the Sweep

Use your hooked leg to lift and tilt their weight while simultaneously pulling with your grips. Follow the momentum to roll them over.

Secure Top Position

As the sweep completes, transition into a dominant position like Side Control or Mount to establish control and advance your game plan.

Positioning

The Leg Hook Sweep can be executed effectively from several positions, primarily those that allow for the use of a hooked leg to disrupt the opponent's Base and create Leverage. These positions include:

Butterfly Guard

  • The most common setup for the Leg Hook Sweep, where both legs are hooked inside the opponent’s thighs. This position offers excellent control over their lower body and facilitates off-balancing.

Half Guard

  • Particularly effective when the outside leg is used to hook the opponent’s trapped leg. The Half Guard variation is useful when combined with Frames and Underhooks to control the opponent's upper body.

Deep Half Guard

  • By positioning underneath the opponent and hooking one of their legs deeply, you can generate significant Leverage for the sweep.

X Guard

  • While not a primary position for the traditional Leg Hook Sweep, elements of the technique can be adapted when hooking one of the opponent's legs to off-balance them and initiate a sweep.

Seated Guard

  • If your opponent pressures forward and you establish a hook on one of their legs, the mechanics of the Leg Hook Sweep can be applied.

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