Lockdown Half Guard, Part 10: The Plan B Sweep
0
Plan B Sweep·Cheat Code Jiu Jitsu
Follow Cheat Code Jiu Jitsu on social media: https://www.facebook.com/Cheat-Code-Jiu-Jitsu-2479604595490997 https://www.…
Plan B Sweep
SubFamilyプランBスイープ(Puran B Suīpu)
TransliterationTranslation: plan B sweep
Overview
The Plan B Sweep subfamily covers the half guard sweep that is typically used when the primary underhook sweep fails and the opponent drives their weight down, creating an opportunity for an alternative sweep angle. [1] The 'Plan B' name reflects its role as the secondary sweep option from half guard — when the opponent defends the underhook sweep by driving forward, their forward momentum can be redirected into a different sweep direction. [1],[2] Plan B sweeps typically involve taking a different grip configuration and sweeping the opponent in a different direction than the original underhook sweep attempt. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The Plan B sweep is a half guard sweep that transitions to when the primary underhook sweep is defended. [1]
Lineage
Developed by Eddie Bravo as part of the 10th Planet half guard system. [1]
Competition Record
Used in no-gi competition. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
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 guard (bottom) — Off-balance the opponent using grips and hip movement, execute the sweep to reverse position to top
From half guard — Secure an underhook, drive into the opponent and execute the sweep
From butterfly guard — Use the butterfly hooks to elevate the opponent, then direct them to the side to complete the sweep
Videos
1 video
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
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 Plan B sweep from half guard uses a cross-grip on the opponent's far wrist combined with the half guard leg trap to sweep them to the side (Lucas Leite, Half Guard System, 2015)
✓The Plan B is the alternative when the standard underhook-based sweeps are denied — it uses a cross-grip instead
✓Execution: from half guard, cross-grip the opponent's far wrist, pull the wrist toward you, and bridge-and-roll toward the controlled side
✓The cross-grip prevents the opponent from posting with their far hand — this is the same principle as all sweeps (remove the post)
✓The Plan B works particularly well against opponents who deny the underhook by crossfacing
✓The bridge-and-roll with the cross-grip is a powerful combination — the trapped leg and controlled arm create an irresistible sweep
✓After the sweep, follow to top position while maintaining the wrist grip — the grip gives you immediate control
✓The Plan B is one of Lucas Leite's signature techniques — he used it at the highest levels of competition
Common Mistakes
!Attempting the Plan B without securing the cross-grip on the far wrist — the grip is the foundation
!Bridging in the wrong direction — bridge toward the side of the controlled wrist
!Not maintaining the leg trap during the sweep — the trapped leg and controlled wrist work together
!Using the Plan B when the underhook is available — the standard underhook sweep is generally higher percentage; use Plan B as the backup
!Releasing the wrist grip during the sweep — maintain the grip throughout for arm control on top
!Bridging straight up instead of toward the controlled side — the bridge direction determines the sweep direction
!Not following to top position — the sweep must result in a positionally dominant finish
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] Lucas Leite half guard system terminology [2] Modern competition BJJ terminology
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006)
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] Lucas Leite half guard system terminology [2] Modern competition BJJ terminology
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006)
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 Plan B Sweep instead of other half guard sweeps?
The Plan B Sweep works as a counter when your opponent defends against your old school sweep, half and half, or below the sweep attempts. According to Cheat Code Jiu Jitsu, it's an effective option when your opponent leans back into you after you attempt to set up your primary sweeps.
What's the correct technique for executing the Plan B Sweep?
Cheat Code Jiu Jitsu emphasizes that you should seek a clamp and then shrimp, shrimp, shrimp to take your opponent over—avoid the common mistake of just trying to roll your hips. First lean into your opponent to set up your better sweeps like Boa or half and half, and if he stays to the side or leans back, use that extra boost from the clamp to finish the sweep.
How does the Plan B Sweep work?
The Plan B Sweep subfamily covers the half guard sweep that is typically used when the primary underhook sweep fails and the opponent drives their weight down, creating an opportunity for an alternative sweep angle. The 'Plan B' name reflects its role as the secondary sweep option from half guard — when the opponent defends the underhook sweep by driving forward, their forward momentum can be redirected into a different sweep direction.
Where does the Plan B Sweep come from?
The Plan B sweep was named and popularised by Lucas Leite, one of the premier half guard competitors in BJJ history. Leite's half guard system used the Plan B as the natural follow-up to the underhook sweep, creating a two-option sweeping system that was extremely difficult to defend.
Is the Plan B 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 Plan B Sweep?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — sweeps reverse position from bottom; moderate impact on landing for top player
How do I set up the Plan B Sweep?
The standard setup chain: Control Grips → Off-Balance → Execute Sweep → Follow to Top.
How do I defend against the Plan B Sweep?
Standard counters include: Base and Posture — maintain wide base and upright posture to resist the sweep / Grip Strip — break controlling grips before the sweep can be loaded / Back Step — retreat the leg being attacked to remove the sweep fulcrum.
What are the variants of the Plan B 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 Plan B Sweep in competition?
Used in no-gi competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Plan B Sweep?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting the Plan B without securing the cross-grip on the far wrist — the grip is the foundation / Bridging in the wrong direction — bridge toward the side of the controlled wrist / Not maintaining the leg trap during the sweep — the trapped leg and controlled wrist work together / Using the Plan B when the underhook is available — the standard underhook sweep is generally higher percentage; use P….
What are other names for the Plan B Sweep?
The Plan B Sweep is also known as Puran B Suīpu, Plan B, Knee Torque Sweep.