Lumberjack Sweep

The Lumberjack Sweep is a fundamental sweep executed from Closed Guard against a standing opponent. It capitalizes on the opponent's forward pressure and standing posture by targeting their base and using a combination of grip fighting, leverage, and momentum to destabilize them and transition to a dominant position. This sweep is effective when the opponent stands to break your guard or initiate a guard pass.

Key Principles

Breaking the Base

  • The primary goal is to attack their legs, breaking their base and forcing them to fall backward.

Grip Fighting

  • Secure grips on their pants, ankles, or knees to control their legs and prevent them from reestablishing their balance.

Leverage and Hips

  • Proper use of your hips and a lifting motion with your legs are essential to disrupt their center of gravity.

Timing

  • The sweep works best as they are standing up and before they establish a stable base.

Steps to Perform the Lumberjack Sweep

Set-Up in Closed Guard

  • Begin in a strong Closed Guard position with your legs wrapped around your opponent’s hips.
  • Wait for your opponent to stand up, either to pass your guard or to break it.

Secure Grips on Their Ankles or Pants

  • Grab both of their ankles or pant cuffs, ensuring you control their base.
  • This grip prevents them from stepping backward or stabilizing.

Use Your Hips and Legs

  • Open your guard and position the soles of your feet on their hips or thighs.
  • Push upward with your hips while pulling their ankles toward you, disrupting their balance.

Sweep Your Opponent Backward

  • As you extend your legs to lift their hips, continue pulling their ankles or pants to tilt their center of gravity backward.
  • This motion should cause them to fall flat onto their back.

Follow Through to a Dominant Position

  • As they fall, follow the momentum by coming up into Mount or Side Control.
  • Maintain control of their legs to prevent a scramble.

Variations of the Lumberjack Sweep

Submission Follow-Ups

Single-Leg Variation

  • If you only secure one ankle, target the single leg and use your other foot to block their opposite leg, creating a similar sweeping motion.

Butterfly Hook Assistance

  • Incorporate a butterfly hook with one leg to add more leverage and lift to the sweep.

Common Applications

Against a Standing Opponent

  • Use the sweep when your opponent stands in Closed Guard to open or pass your guard.

Preventing Guard Passes

  • Use the Lumberjack Sweep to counter early passing attempts, especially when they are focused on breaking your guard.

In Combination with Other Attacks

  • Threaten a submission like a Triangle Choke or Armbar to force them to stand, then transition to the sweep.
Tip

For maximum effectiveness, keep your grips tight and coordinate your hips and legs to generate a smooth and explosive sweeping motion.

By mastering the Lumberjack Sweep, you can efficiently counter standing opponents, disrupt their game plan, and transition into dominant positions, making it a valuable addition to your Closed Guard arsenal.

Positioning

The Lumberjack Sweep is primarily executed from Closed Guard when your opponent stands, but its mechanics allow it to be adapted to other guard and transitional positions. Below is a breakdown of positions where the Lumberjack Sweep can be effectively applied:

Primary Position

Closed Guard

  • The most common position for the Lumberjack Sweep, used when your opponent stands in your guard to break it or initiate a pass. This position allows you to secure grips on their ankles and set up the sweep.

Guard Variations

Open Guard

  • Transition to the Lumberjack Sweep from Open Guard by controlling your opponent’s ankles or pants as they attempt to pass.

Butterfly Guard

  • If your opponent stands to avoid a Butterfly Sweep, you can transition to a Lumberjack Sweep by targeting their ankles and disrupting their base.

Half Guard

  • If your opponent stands in Half Guard to pass, adjust to a Lumberjack Sweep by controlling their legs and using your free leg to elevate their hips.

Counter and Defensive Positions

Opponent Standing in Guard

  • The sweep works particularly well when your opponent stands in Closed Guard or Open Guard to break grips or pass, as their base is elevated and exposed.

Opponent Leaning Forward

  • If your opponent leans forward while standing, use the sweep to off-balance them by lifting their hips and pulling their ankles simultaneously.

Against Aggressive Passers

Dynamic Transitions

Failed Submission Attempt

From Spider Guard

  • If your opponent stands in Spider Guard, transition to the Lumberjack Sweep by releasing one spider hook and targeting their ankles.

From X Guard or Single-Leg X Guard

  • If your opponent stands tall in X Guard, transition to a modified Lumberjack Sweep by pulling their ankles and elevating their hips.

Scramble Situations

During Guard Retention

  • If your opponent tries to step back or disengage, grab their ankles to execute the sweep and regain control.

Combat Base Counter

  • When your opponent transitions to Combat Base (one knee down, one knee up), use the Lumberjack Sweep on their posted leg.
Tip

The Lumberjack Sweep thrives in positions where your opponent's base is elevated or they are transitioning to a standing posture. Precise grips and timing are crucial for success.

By understanding these positions, you can effectively integrate the Lumberjack Sweep into your game, making it a reliable counter to standing opponents and a seamless way to transition to dominant positions.

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