Flower Sweep VS Pendulum Sweep
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Flower-Pendulum Sweep·Fat Snake Jiu Jitsu
Sweeps are vital in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Using the guard position effectively to defend yourself is important. However, …
Flower-Pendulum Sweep
SubFamilyフラワーペンデュラムスイープ(Furawā Pendyuramu Suīpu)
TransliterationTranslation: flower-pendulum sweep
Overview
The Flower-Pendulum Sweep subfamily covers the closed guard sweep that uses a wide, pendulum-like swinging motion of the legs to generate the momentum needed to roll the opponent over. [1] The guard player grabs the opponent's same-side sleeve and opposite-side collar (or pants), then swings the legs in a wide arc (like a pendulum) while pulling the opponent's arm across and driving them over. [1],[2] The pendulum swing generates significantly more force than a simple hip bump or bridge, making this one of the most powerful closed guard sweeps. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The flower/pendulum sweep uses a swinging leg motion to generate momentum and sweep the opponent from closed guard. [1]
Lineage
One of the classic closed guard sweeps in BJJ. [1]
Competition Record
Frequently scored in IBJJF competition. [1]
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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
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Sweeps reverse position from bottom; moderate impact on landing for top player
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— UWW — Legal
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The flower sweep (pendulum sweep) uses a large, swinging leg motion to sweep the opponent from closed guard — the pendulum leg generates enormous sweeping force (Renzo Gracie & Royler Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique, 2001)
✓Execution: from closed guard, grip the sleeve and collar, open the guard, swing the non-sweeping leg wide (the pendulum), and use the pendulum momentum to sweep the opponent over the hooking leg
✓The pendulum leg swings out wide and then drives inward — this generates the rotational force that tips the opponent
✓The hooking leg controls the opponent's far leg — it blocks their base while the pendulum provides the sweep force
✓Grips: same-side collar and sleeve — the sleeve grip prevents the posting hand; the collar grip controls posture
✓The flower sweep generates more force than the scissor or hip bump — the pendulum leg is a powerful lever
✓The flower sweep is one of the most visually distinctive sweeps — the wide leg swing is its signature
✓After the sweep, follow to mount — the pendulum momentum carries you directly to the top
Common Mistakes
!Not swinging the pendulum leg wide enough — the wider the swing, the more sweeping force is generated
!Not controlling the sleeve — the sleeve grip prevents posting, which is essential for the sweep
!Hooking the wrong leg — the hooking leg blocks the far leg to remove the base
!Attempting the flower sweep when the opponent is sitting back — they must be loaded forward or neutral
!Releasing the collar grip during the sweep — the collar grip controls posture throughout
!Not following to mount after the sweep — the pendulum carries you to mount if you follow through
!Swinging the pendulum leg without the hooking leg blocking the base — both legs must work together
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Control Grips — establish the controlling grips needed to load the sweep
2Off-Balance — shift the opponent's weight to the target direction
3Execute Sweep — apply the sweeping mechanic to topple the opponent
4Follow to Top — ride the sweep momentum to establish top position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Gracie & Gracie, 2001) [3] Traditional BJJ Portuguese terminology
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Gracie & Gracie, 2001) [3] Traditional BJJ Portuguese terminology
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Community
Athletics
Requires
timing, hip power, off-balancing skill
Favours
strong hips and active legs for sweeping leverage
Key muscles
hip flexors, glutes, quadriceps, core rotators
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I use the pendulum sweep instead of the flower sweep?
Use the pendulum sweep as a counter when your opponent posts their foot, since your hand won't be in position waiting for the flower sweep setup. Fat Snake Jiu Jitsu notes that the pendulum sweep is more effective in this scenario.
What's a common mistake people make when attempting the pendulum sweep?
A frequent error is trying to sweep with your leg out extended, which leads to a scramble rather than a clean sweep. Remember that the pendulum sweep should be executed as an actual pendulum motion.
Can I use the flower sweep in tournament competition?
No—Fat Snake Jiu Jitsu explicitly states you cannot do the flower sweep in a tournament, so avoid practicing it in that context.
How does the Flower-Pendulum Sweep work?
The Flower-Pendulum Sweep subfamily covers the closed guard sweep that uses a wide, pendulum-like swinging motion of the legs to generate the momentum needed to roll the opponent over. The guard player grabs the opponent's same-side sleeve and opposite-side collar (or pants), then swings the legs in a wide arc (like a pendulum) while pulling the opponent's arm across and driving them over.
Where does the Flower-Pendulum Sweep come from?
The flower sweep (also called pendulum sweep) is one of the classic closed guard sweeps in BJJ, known for its characteristic swinging leg motion. The technique has been part of the closed guard curriculum since the early development of systematic guard sweeping in BJJ.
Is the Flower-Pendulum Sweep legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive/transitional technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Flower-Pendulum Sweep?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — sweeps reverse position from bottom; moderate impact on landing for top player
How do I set up the Flower-Pendulum Sweep?
The standard setup chain: Control Grips → Off-Balance → Execute Sweep → Follow to Top.
How do I defend against the Flower-Pendulum Sweep?
Standard counters include: Heavy Hips — maintain low hip pressure and wide base to absorb the bridge / Grapevine — hook legs inside opponent's thighs to neutralize hip movement / Post Hand — post arm on the mat in the direction of the bridge to maintain balance.
What are the variants of the Flower-Pendulum Sweep?
Common variants: Standard sweep (primary off-balancing and reversal technique from the guard); Combination sweep (chaining two sweep directions to catch the opponent's adj…); Counter sweep (sweeping as the opponent initiates a guard pass attempt); Competition sweep (optimised for point-scoring in tournament settings).
How effective is the Flower-Pendulum Sweep in competition?
Frequently scored in IBJJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Flower-Pendulum Sweep?
Top errors to watch for: Not swinging the pendulum leg wide enough — the wider the swing, the more sweeping force is generated / Not controlling the sleeve — the sleeve grip prevents posting, which is essential for the sweep / Hooking the wrong leg — the hooking leg blocks the far leg to remove the base / Attempting the flower sweep when the opponent is sitting back — they must be loaded forward or neutral.
What are other names for the Flower-Pendulum Sweep?
The Flower-Pendulum Sweep is also known as Furawā Pendyuramu Suīpu, Pendulum Sweep, Flower Sweep, Baiana.