Closed Guard Sweep Concepts by Jason Scully
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Standard Technical Standup·The Grapplers Guide by Jason Scully
The Grapplers Guide is the longest running and most recommended premium BJJ and grappling learning site ever created. L…
Standard Technical Standup
SubFamilyスタンダードテクニカルスタンドアップ(Sutandādo Tekunikaru Sutando Appu)
TransliterationTranslation: standard technical standup
Overview
The Standard Technical Standup subfamily covers the fundamental technique of rising from a seated or downed position while maintaining a defensive base and guard throughout the standing motion. [1] The technique uses a three-point base (two hands and one foot, or one hand, one foot, and one knee) to maintain stability while rising, keeping one leg extended as a barrier to prevent the opponent from closing distance. [1],[2] The standard technical standup is considered the safest method of returning to feet because it keeps the defender balanced and protected at every stage. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The standard technical standup is the baseline version of this fundamental standing escape. [1]
Lineage
A fundamental BJJ and MMA technique. [1]
Competition Record
Used in MMA and BJJ competition. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Breaking the opponent's leg control to advance to a more dominant position
Joints Involved — Hips (posture and pressure), knees (opening the guard with knee-in or standing), hands (grip fighting)
Force Vector — Forward pressure (stack/smash) or backward posture (stand-up break) to open the closed guard
Passing Mechanic — Once the guard is opened, speed passing, pressure passing, or toreando passing advances the position
Position & Entry
From bottom side control — Create frames with the forearms against the opponent's neck and hip, hip escape (shrimp) to create space, insert the knee to recover guard
From underhook escape — Swim the near arm to an underhook, bridge into the opponent and come to knees or reverse
From opponent's transition — When the opponent moves to mount or north-south, use the movement to create space and escape
Videos
4 Ways to Sweep Anyone Vs Standing Opponents( Beginners Must Know it)
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Standard Technical Standup·BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu Channel
IF HAVE HARD TIME SWEEP SOMEONE WHEN THEY STANDING FORM YOUR GUARD THIS VIDEO IS FOR YOU. . . On This video i show 4 way…
The First 3 Mount Escapes You Need To Know in BJJ
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Standard Technical Standup·Brandon Mccaghren
When you first start Jiu Jitsu, you're gonna be getting stuck in the bottom of mount. A lot. Even by people who aren't v…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The standard technical standup from mount position represents a fundamental escape strategy taught across beginner and intermediate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu levels. Brandon McCaghren identifies three primary mount escape variations that form the foundation of this technique family: the bridge and roll, the knee-elbow escape, and the kipping (hip bump) escape. All three escapes share core principles: securing frame control to prevent the top player from maintaining pressure, using hip movement to create space and flatten the opponent's legs, and executing explosive bridging or rolling movements to dislodge the mounted opponent. McCaghren emphasizes that successful execution requires trapping the opponent's limbs—particularly the arms—before initiating the escape motion, and that combining these movements into a single fluid action increases success rates. The knee-elbow escape and kipping escape both transition the bottom player into half guard or guard position with an established underhook, enabling immediate offensive counters. Jason Scully's conceptual framework on closed guard sweeps provides complementary theory: successful sweeps require controlling at least one of the opponent's limbs (the "table leg concept") and bringing the opponent's body weight over the escaper to neutralize their base. BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu Channel emphasizes grip transitions and timing when the opponent stands from guard, highlighting that maintaining old grips prevents effective movement and that immediate weight redistribution is essential. All three instructors converge on the importance of explosive bridging mechanics, proper frame placement, and transitioning to offensive positions immediately after the escape.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Brandon McCaghren — The First 3 Mount Escapes You Need To Know in BJJ: Detailed breakdown of three mount escape variations (bridge-and-roll, knee-elbow escape, kipping escape) with emphasis on arm/leg trapping mechanics, hip positioning, footwork placement, and the importance of fluid, one-movement execution. Stressed survival posture and hiding the underhook to prevent submissions.
- BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu Channel — 4 Ways to Sweep Anyone Vs Standing Opponents (Beginners Must Know it): Provided context on sweep mechanics when opponent stands from guard, emphasizing the critical timing of grip transitions from control grips to operational grips (ankle/leg control, underhooks), and the necessity of repositioning the hips over the opponent's hips to establish mount position after the sweep.
- The Grapplers Guide by Jason Scully — Closed Guard Sweep Concepts by Jason Scully: Established theoretical framework using the 'table leg concept'—that successful sweeps require neutralizing at least one opponent limb and bringing their body weight over the escaper to collapse their base. Explained how bringing the opponent over the defender makes them 'light' and vulnerable to reversal.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Standing escapes from clinch/holds; involves explosive disengagement
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive/transitional technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— NCAA Folkstyle — Legal, escape scores 1 point, reversal s...
NCAA Wrestling Rules 2025-26PDFTraining Notes
✓Standard technical standup: from a seated position facing the opponent, post the same-side hand behind you (as the leg you'll kick out with), kick the near leg forward toward the opponent, bring the far leg under you, and rise to a fighting stance (Couture, Wrestling for Fighting, 2007)
✓Step 1: from seated, place one hand behind you on the mat as a post
✓Step 2: extend the opposite-side leg (same side as the free hand) toward the opponent — this creates distance and threatens a kick
✓Step 3: bring the posting-side leg underneath your body
✓Step 4: rise to standing while the lead hand guards
✓Step 5: immediately establish your fighting stance and create distance
✓The kick-out leg serves dual purpose: it creates distance and threatens any opponent trying to close in
✓The posted hand provides the base for the rise — push off it to generate upward momentum
✓The technical standup should end in your fighting stance at distance — not bent over or off-balance
✓Drill 20 reps per side as part of every warm-up
Common Mistakes
!Posting the hand on the wrong side — post on the same side as the leg that will go underneath you
!Not kicking out the lead leg — the leg extension creates essential distance
!Standing up slowly — the technical standup should be explosive; a slow standup invites the opponent to close distance
!Ending in a poor stance — the standup must end in a balanced fighting stance
!Not immediately creating distance after standing — step back or laterally after rising
!Looking at the ground during the standup — keep eyes on the opponent throughout
!Training only from a seated position — practice from side-lying and supine as well
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Create Space — use frames, hip movement, or leverage to generate room to move
2Disrupt Control — break or weaken the opponent's grips and weight placement
3Execute Escape — apply the specific escape mechanic with timing and commitment
4Recover Position — establish a safe position (guard, standing, or top)
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Gracie & Gracie, 2001) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008) [3] MMA coaching terminology
2BookMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Gracie & Gracie, 2001) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008) [3] MMA coaching terminology
5CitationMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip escape (shrimping) speed, framing strength, timing
Favours
flexible hips and quick lateral movement
Key muscles
hip flexors, obliques, triceps (framing), core
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my opponent stands up while I have them in closed guard?
According to BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu, when your opponent stands up, you need to transition your grips immediately—don't just hang onto sleeve control. The key is to shift to controlling their ankles or legs, as holding sleeves alone won't prevent them from passing your guard.
How do I prevent my opponent from defending a sweep by posting their hands?
Jason Scully emphasizes that you must control your opponent's arms during a sweep attempt, because if you don't, they can post their hands out or do a cartwheel to stop the sweep.
What's the most important principle when sweeping from closed guard?
You want to bring your opponent's base over you to disrupt their center of gravity and posture, making it much harder for them to defend. Jason Scully notes that the elevator sweep works best when you first bring them over you before executing the sweep.
When my opponent stands up with both my sleeves controlled, what sweep should I use?
BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu recommends dropping your hips to force them backward, then using your feet and hips to push them further back. Once they're walking back, hook both ankles with your legs and sweep by pushing up with the sleeve grips.
How does the Standard Technical Standup work?
The Standard Technical Standup subfamily covers the fundamental technique of rising from a seated or downed position while maintaining a defensive base and guard throughout the standing motion. The technique uses a three-point base (two hands and one foot, or one hand, one foot, and one knee) to maintain stability while rising, keeping one leg extended as a barrier to prevent the opponent from closing distance.
Where does the Standard Technical Standup come from?
The standard technical standup is a fundamental self-defence and BJJ technique, taught as the proper method of standing up when an opponent is present. It is one of the first self-defence techniques taught in BJJ and is essential in MMA ground-to-standing transitions.
Is the Standard Technical Standup legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive/transitional technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal, escape scores 1 point (freestyle), reversal scores 1 point; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; NCAA Folkstyle: legal — Legal, escape scores 1 point, reversal scores 2 points
How dangerous is the Standard Technical Standup?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — standing escapes from clinch/holds; involves explosive disengagement
How do I set up the Standard Technical Standup?
The standard setup chain: Create Space → Disrupt Control → Execute Escape → Recover Position.
How do I defend against the Standard Technical Standup?
Standard counters include: Maintain Pressure — keep consistent weight distribution to limit escape space / Anticipate Direction — read escape attempt direction and block early / Transition — flow to a new position when the current one is threatened.
What are the variants of the Standard Technical Standup?
Common variants: Shrimp to guard (framing and hip-escaping to recover full guard or half guard); Underhook escape (winning the underhook and coming to knees or reversing); Bridge to knees (bridging into the opponent and transitioning to turtle or…); Ghost escape (inverting under the opponent to re-guard from the opposit…).
How effective is the Standard Technical Standup in competition?
Used in MMA and BJJ competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Technical Standup?
Top errors to watch for: Posting the hand on the wrong side — post on the same side as the leg that will go underneath you / Not kicking out the lead leg — the leg extension creates essential distance / Standing up slowly — the technical standup should be explosive; a slow standup invites the opponent to close distance / Ending in a poor stance — the standup must end in a balanced fighting stance.
What are other names for the Standard Technical Standup?
The Standard Technical Standup is also known as Sutandādo Tekunikaru Sutando Appu, Tech Standup, Technical Get-Up, Post And Stand.