Japanese Jiu-Jitsu Takedown to Deep Half Guard Attacks
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Backdoor Sweep·TRITAC Martial Arts·Added by Admin
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Backdoor Sweep
Genusバックドアスイープ(Bakkudoa Suīpu)
TransliterationTranslation: backdoor sweep
Overview
The backdoor sweep is a deep half guard sweep where, when the initial forward sweep is blocked, the guard player exits out the back by riding the opponent's resistance to rotate behind them and establish a single leg or top position. [1] Popularized by Jeff Glover (No-Gi World Champion, Paragon Academy), the technique uses the action-reaction principle — threaten a forward sweep, then use the opponent's defensive pull to rotate out the back. [2] The backdoor involves a karate-chop motion behind the opponent's knee with the forearm while using a lapel grip to prevent them from turning back.
Backdoor SweepDeep Half BackdoorBack Door SweepExit Out the Back
History & Origin
Popularized by Jeff Glover (No-Gi World Champion). Jake MacKenzie and Wilson Reis also teach versions. [1]
Effectiveness
Effective counter when forward deep half sweeps are defended. The action-reaction principle makes it nearly impossible to defend both directions simultaneously. [1]
Lineage
Jeff Glover (No-Gi World Champion, Paragon Academy). Jake MacKenzie and Wilson Reis also contributed.
Competition Record
Jeff Glover: No-Gi World Champion, known for deep half guard sweeping system.
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Gable grip around opponent's leg; rotation pulls knee toward ground
Action-Reaction — Threaten forward sweep; when opponent pulls knee back up, ride their momentum to rotate to knees
Finishing Mechanic — Pop out behind the opponent, establish single leg position or advance to top
Position & Entry
From deep half guard — Establish deep half control, attempt forward sweep; when blocked, rotate out the back
From deep half when being smashed — Use the opponent's downward pressure to fuel the rotation out the back
Variants
Standard backdoor sweep — classic Glover version with gable grip
Lapel backdoor — using lapel grip to prevent opponent from turning back
Backdoor to single leg — exit behind and establish single leg takedown position
Backdoor to back take — continue rotation to take the back
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Sweeping position with no joint stress or choke
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal — escapes and sweeps are fundamental to BJJ...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— 4 from mount/back
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Jeff Glover (No-Gi World Champion, Paragon Academy) is the primary popularizer of the backdoor sweep. Jake MacKenzie and Wilson Reis also teach versions. The technique uses the action-reaction principle that is central to all high-level sweeping: threaten in one direction, then use the opponent's defensive reaction to go the other way. 'Deep Half Guard Evolution' and 'The No Gi Deep Half Guard 2.0' (both by Glover, BJJ Fanatics) are the primary instructional resources.
Common Mistakes
!Not threatening the forward sweep first — the backdoor requires the opponent's resistance
!Releasing the gable grip during rotation — must maintain control throughout
!Not committing to the exit — hesitation allows the opponent to follow and maintain top position
!Not controlling the far leg — the opponent can turn back if the far side is not managed
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish deep half guard → Threaten forward sweep → Opponent resists by pulling back → Ride the resistance → Rotate out the back door → Establish single leg or top position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Deep Half Guard Evolution (Glover, BJJ Fanatics)
1BookDeep Half Guard Evolution (Glover, BJJ Fanatics)
[1] Glover — Deep Half Guard Evolution and No Gi Deep Half Guard 2.0 instructionals
2BookThe No Gi Deep Half Guard 2.0 (Glover, BJJ Fanatics)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationDeep Half Guard Evolution (Glover, BJJ Fanatics)
[1] Glover — Deep Half Guard Evolution and No Gi Deep Half Guard 2.0 instructionals
5CitationThe No Gi Deep Half Guard 2.0 (Glover, BJJ Fanatics)
Community
Athletics
Requires
comfort in deep half guard, hip mobility for rotation
Key muscles
hip rotators, core, shoulders
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up the backdoor sweep from deep half guard?
According to TRITAC Martial Arts, you want to bring your opponent's weight and body toward you while using your knees to come around—this is described as 'a big secret of setting it up.' Key to the technique is squaring your body up to get a line on their legs before executing the sweep.
What's the main defensive counter to the backdoor sweep?
TRITAC Martial Arts notes that your opponent's primary defense is to get an underhook and flatten you out, so you need to defend that underhook line at a minimum to prevent them from escaping the sweep.
Should I bring my opponent up when executing the backdoor sweep?
No—TRITAC Martial Arts emphasizes that you should not bring your opponent up at the same time you sweep; instead, you pull deep half on their leg and sweep them over simultaneously while keeping them compressed.
How does the Backdoor Sweep work?
The backdoor sweep is a deep half guard sweep where, when the initial forward sweep is blocked, the guard player exits out the back by riding the opponent's resistance to rotate behind them and establish a single leg or top position. Popularized by Jeff Glover (No-Gi World Champion, Paragon Academy), the technique uses the action-reaction principle — threaten a forward sweep, then use the opponent's defensive pull to rotate out the back.
Where does the Backdoor Sweep come from?
Popularized by Jeff Glover (No-Gi World Champion). Jake MacKenzie and Wilson Reis also teach versions.
Is the Backdoor Sweep legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal — escapes and sweeps are fundamental to BJJ, sweep from bottom scores 2…; IJF: legal — Legal; ADCC: legal — Legal, sweep scores 2 points (4 from mount/back); FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Backdoor Sweep?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — sweeping position with no joint stress or choke
How do I set up the Backdoor Sweep?
The standard setup chain: Establish deep half guard → Threaten forward sweep → Opponent resists by pulling back → Ride the resistance → Rotate out the back door → Establish single leg or top position.
How do I defend against the Backdoor Sweep?
Standard counters include: Drive hips down to prevent the rotation / Crossface to prevent the exit / Underhook to follow the rotation and maintain top / Sprawl when opponent pops out the back.
What are the variants of the Backdoor Sweep?
Common variants: Standard backdoor sweep (classic Glover version with gable grip); Lapel backdoor (using lapel grip to prevent opponent from turning back); Backdoor to single leg (exit behind and establish single leg takedown position); Backdoor to back take (continue rotation to take the back).
How effective is the Backdoor Sweep in competition?
Jeff Glover: No-Gi World Champion, known for deep half guard sweeping system.
What are common mistakes when doing the Backdoor Sweep?
Top errors to watch for: Not threatening the forward sweep first — the backdoor requires the opponent's resistance / Releasing the gable grip during rotation — must maintain control throughout / Not committing to the exit — hesitation allows the opponent to follow and maintain top position / Not controlling the far leg — the opponent can turn back if the far side is not managed.
What are other names for the Backdoor Sweep?
The Backdoor Sweep is also known as Bakkudoa Suīpu, Backdoor Sweep, Deep Half Backdoor, Back Door Sweep, Exit Out the Back.