Push Sweep

The Push Sweep is a fundamental and versatile sweep that uses leverage and momentum to off-balance your opponent by pushing their base while simultaneously controlling their posture. This sweep is most commonly executed from Closed Guard, Open Guard, or Butterfly Guard and is particularly effective when your opponent leans forward or has a compromised base. It creates a quick and effective way to transition into a dominant position such as Mount or Side Control.

Key Principles

Breaking Base

  • The push sweep works by targeting your opponent's legs or hips to disrupt their weight distribution and create imbalance.

Grip Fighting

  • Securing grips on their arms, collar, or pants prevents them from posting and stabilizing.

Hip Movement and Angles

  • Proper body alignment and hip adjustments enhance the leverage needed to push effectively.

Momentum and Timing

  • Executing the sweep as your opponent shifts their weight or commits to forward pressure maximizes its effectiveness.

Steps to Perform the Push Sweep

Set-Up in Guard

Secure Grips

  • Grab your opponent’s sleeve, collar, or wrist with one hand to control their posture.
  • Use your other hand to secure their leg, pants, or ankle on the side you plan to sweep toward.

Create the Angle

  • Open your guard and shrimp your hips slightly to the side, angling your body to face your target.
  • Position one foot on their hip or thigh for pushing leverage, while your other leg frames or hooks against their far leg for control.

Off-Balance Your Opponent

  • Push their hip or thigh with your foot while simultaneously pulling their leg or sleeve to tip their center of gravity backward or to the side.
  • Use your grips to guide their fall and prevent them from regaining balance.

Execute the Sweep

  • Continue pushing with your leg while pulling with your grips, redirecting their weight to the ground.
  • As they fall, use the momentum to follow through and transition into a dominant position.

Transition to Dominance

  • Land in Mount, Side Control, or another advantageous position, maintaining control of their body.

Variations of the Push Sweep

From Closed Guard

  • Open your guard and use one foot on their hip to push while pulling their arm or sleeve to execute the sweep.

From Butterfly Guard

  • Use butterfly hooks to elevate and redirect their base, adding the push motion to destabilize them.

From Spider Guard

  • Push against their hip or bicep using your foot while controlling their arm or collar for a Spider Guard-style push sweep.

From X Guard

  • Use your X Guard hooks to elevate their leg and push their hips while controlling their ankle or pants for the sweep.

Common Applications

Against Forward Pressure

  • Use the sweep when your opponent leans forward, making their hips and base vulnerable.

To Counter Standing Opponents

  • When your opponent stands in guard, use the push sweep to off-balance them and force them backward.

As a Follow-Up to Submission Attempts

  • If your opponent defends a submission like a Triangle Choke or Armbar, transition into a push sweep to maintain offensive momentum.

Submission and Sweep Combinations

Submission Threats

  • Use the sweep to force your opponent to post, creating opportunities for submissions like the Kimura or Triangle Choke.

Back Take Transition

  • If they resist by turning away during the sweep, follow the movement to secure Back Control.
Tip

The Push Sweep works best when executed with precise grip fighting and smooth coordination between your pushing and pulling motions. Timing your sweep with your opponent’s weight shift ensures success.

By mastering the Push Sweep, you add a versatile and reliable technique to your guard game, allowing you to disrupt your opponent’s balance, reverse positions, and maintain control of the match.

Positioning

The Push Sweep can be executed from various positions where you can use a combination of leverage and a pushing motion to disrupt your opponent’s base and balance. Below are the key positions where the Push Sweep can be applied effectively:

Primary Guard Positions

Closed Guard

  • Open your guard and use one foot on their hip or thigh to push while controlling their arm or collar to execute the sweep.

Open Guard

  • Use grips on their sleeves, collar, or pants and place your foot on their hip or thigh to create the leverage needed for the sweep.

Butterfly Guard

  • Use your butterfly hooks to elevate their base while incorporating a pushing motion with your feet to destabilize them.

Guard Variations

Spider Guard

  • Use your foot on their bicep or hip to push while controlling their sleeve or collar to initiate the sweep.

De La Riva

  • Use the De La Riva hook on one leg while pushing against their far leg or hip with your free foot to off-balance them.

X Guard

  • Use your X Guard hooks to elevate their leg and push their hip or thigh while pulling on their ankle or pants.

Reverse De La Riva

  • Push their hip or leg with your free foot while maintaining control of their near leg using the Reverse De La Riva hook.

Counter and Defensive Positions

Opponent Standing in Guard

  • Use the Push Sweep when your opponent stands in Closed Guard or Open Guard, applying the push to their hips or thighs.

Countering Guard Passes/Knee Cut Pass

  • If your opponent attempts a Guard Passes/Knee Cut pass, use your foot to push their hip or thigh to disrupt their forward momentum and sweep them.

Against Combat Base

  • When your opponent kneels in Combat Base (one knee up, one knee down), target their posted leg or hip with your foot to execute the sweep.

Dynamic Transitions

From a Failed Scissor Sweep

  • If the Scissor Sweep fails due to their wide base, transition to a Push Sweep by adjusting your hips and targeting their legs or hips.

From Submission Attempts

During Guard Retention

  • Use the Push Sweep to reverse the position when defending against aggressive passes like the Toreando Pass.

Submission and Sweep Combinations

With Triangle Choke Setup

  • Push to destabilize your opponent, forcing them to post their arm and creating an opening for a Triangle Choke.

With Armbar Setup

  • Use the pushing motion to isolate their arm and transition into an Armbar.

Back Take Transition

  • If they resist by turning away, follow their movement to secure Back Control.

Other Situations

Opponent Leaning Forward

  • The sweep is effective against an opponent who applies forward pressure in guard, leaving their hips vulnerable.

Scramble Scenarios

  • Use the sweep in dynamic exchanges or scrambles where you can control their legs or hips and apply the pushing motion.
Tip

The Push Sweep thrives in positions where your opponent’s base is compromised or their weight distribution is leaning forward. Proper grip fighting and precise hip movement are key to ensuring success.

By integrating the Push Sweep into these positions, you gain a versatile tool to disrupt your opponent’s balance, counter passes, and transition to dominant positions seamlessly.

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