Standard Plan B

Genus

スタンダードプランB(Sutandādo Puran B)

Transliteration

Translation: standard plan B

Overview

The Standard Plan B executes the backup half guard sweep by redirecting the opponent's forward pressure into a sweep, typically involving a change of grip from the underhook to a different control and sweeping the opponent over the back rather than over the shoulder. [1] When the primary underhook sweep is stuffed, the guard player converts the underhook grip to a cross-face or back grip and uses the opponent's forward commitment to roll them over in the new direction. [1],[2] The Plan B's effectiveness lies in using the opponent's own defensive reaction against them — the harder they drive forward to stop the underhook sweep, the more vulnerable they are to the Plan B. [2],[3]

Also known as
Basic Plan B Sweep[1]Standard Knee Torque Half Guard Sweep[2]

History & Origin

The standard Plan B is the core technique of Lucas Leite's half guard system, developed as the natural complement to the underhook sweep that made Leite one of the most successful half guard players in BJJ history. [1] Leite's success with this sweep in world championship competition proved the effectiveness of pairing primary and secondary sweep options from half guard. [2],[3]

Effectiveness

The standard Plan B is the baseline version of this half guard sweep. [1]

Lineage

Developed by Eddie Bravo. [1]

Competition Record

Used in no-gi competition. [1]

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Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary ActionBreaking the opponent's leg control to advance to a more dominant position
Joints InvolvedHips (posture and pressure), knees (opening the guard with knee-in or standing), hands (grip fighting)
Force VectorForward pressure (stack/smash) or backward posture (stand-up break) to open the closed guard
Passing MechanicOnce the guard is opened, speed passing, pressure passing, or toreando passing advances the position

Position & Entry

From bottom (opponent has back control)Fight the hands to prevent the choke, slide hips to the mat on the choking side, escape the hooks and turn into the opponent
From standing (opponent has back clinch)Drop the hips, peel the hands, turn and face the opponent
From body triangleAddress the body triangle first by positioning the trapped leg to pry it open, then escape the hooks

Variants

Standard sweepprimary off-balancing and reversal technique from the guard
Combination sweepchaining two sweep directions to catch the opponent's adjustment
Counter sweepsweeping as the opponent initiates a guard pass attempt
Competition sweepoptimised for point-scoring in tournament settings

Videos

#PatosKids Online Training. Week 18. Plan B

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Standard Plan B·Niño Castro·Added by Admin

#bjj #jiujitsu #brazilianjiujitsu #kidsjiujitsu #jiujitsukids #kidsbjj #bjjkids #patosbjj #patoskids #cebubjj #cebujiuji

1 video

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Ratings

Danger Rating

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

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate
Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Training Notes

Standard Plan B execution: from half guard, cross-grip the opponent's far wrist with your outside hand, bridge toward the gripped side, and roll the opponent over the trapped leg (Lucas Leite, Half Guard System, 2015)
Step 1: from half guard, identify the opponent's far wrist — this is the target for the cross-grip
Step 2: reach across and grip the opponent's far wrist with your outside hand
Step 3: pull the wrist toward you to prevent posting
Step 4: bridge explosively toward the side of the controlled wrist
Step 5: roll the opponent over their trapped leg — the wrist control and leg trap remove both posts
Step 6: follow to top position with the wrist grip maintained — establish side control
The cross-grip must be strong — the opponent will try to pull the wrist free
The bridge provides the sweeping force while the grips remove the posting ability
Drill in combination with the old school sweep: attempt the underhook, if denied, switch to Plan B

Common Mistakes

!Cross-gripping the near wrist instead of the far — the far wrist is the one that matters for post prevention
!Weak bridge that doesn't generate enough force — the bridge must be explosive
!Not pulling the wrist toward you before bridging — the wrist pull breaks the opponent's base
!Bridging toward the wrong side — bridge toward the controlled-wrist side
!Releasing the wrist during the sweep — maintain the grip throughout
!Not maintaining the leg trap — the trapped leg is essential for the sweep
!Not training the Plan B as a chain from the standard half guard sweep — develop both as connected options

Related Techniques

Counter Techniques

Setup Chain

1Create Spaceuse frames, hip movement, or leverage to generate room to move
2Disrupt Controlbreak or weaken the opponent's grips and weight placement
3Execute Escapeapply the specific escape mechanic with timing and commitment
4Recover Positionestablish a safe position (guard, standing, or top)

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the correct way to set up an underhook for Standard Plan B?

Your shoulders need to be positioned under your partner's armpit. If your partner is similar in size or larger, you can reach over and grab their shoulders while keeping the underhook tight.

How do I transition from old school to Plan B when my opponent defends?

When your opponent steps and widens their base to defend the old school sweep, you transition to Plan B by going under with a tight underhook. This completes the sequence that connects the lockdown, old school, and Plan B techniques together.

What should my head position be when attempting Plan B?

Your head should be positioned down under your opponent's head as you set up the technique and work toward the sweep.

How does the Standard Plan B work?

The Standard Plan B executes the backup half guard sweep by redirecting the opponent's forward pressure into a sweep, typically involving a change of grip from the underhook to a different control and sweeping the opponent over the back rather than over the shoulder. When the primary underhook sweep is stuffed, the guard player converts the underhook grip to a cross-face or back grip and uses the opponent's forward commitment to roll them over in the new direction.

Where does the Standard Plan B come from?

The standard Plan B is the core technique of Lucas Leite's half guard system, developed as the natural complement to the underhook sweep that made Leite one of the most successful half guard players in BJJ history. Leite's success with this sweep in world championship competition proved the effectiveness of pairing primary and secondary sweep options from half guard.

Is the Standard Plan B 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 Standard Plan B?

Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — sweeps reverse position from bottom; moderate impact on landing for top player

How do I set up the Standard Plan B?

The standard setup chain: Create Space → Disrupt Control → Execute Escape → Recover Position.

How do I defend against the Standard Plan B?

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 Plan B?

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 Standard Plan B in competition?

Used in no-gi competition.

What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Plan B?

Top errors to watch for: Cross-gripping the near wrist instead of the far — the far wrist is the one that matters for post prevention / Weak bridge that doesn't generate enough force — the bridge must be explosive / Not pulling the wrist toward you before bridging — the wrist pull breaks the opponent's base / Bridging toward the wrong side — bridge toward the controlled-wrist side.

What are other names for the Standard Plan B?

The Standard Plan B is also known as Sutandādo Puran B, Basic Plan B Sweep, Standard Knee Torque Half Guard Sweep.