8 Tripod Sweeps That You Should Know
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Standard Tripod Sweep·MMA Leech
The Tripod Sweep is one of the most fundamental moves in BJJ. You can sweep your opponent from many different guards, us…
Standard Tripod Sweep
Genus三脚スイープ(Sankyaku Suīpu)
HybridTranslation: tripod sweep
Overview
The tripod sweep is a foundational open guard sweep where the guard player places one foot on the opponent's hip, hooks behind the opponent's ankle with the other foot, and grips the far ankle — simultaneously pushing the hip away while pulling/hooking both ankles to remove the opponent's base. [1] Named for the three-point base created by the two hands and one foot on the hip. One of the first open guard sweeps taught to beginners, commonly paired with the sickle sweep as complementary techniques. [2]
Tripod SweepThree-Point SweepHook SweepBoxing
History & Origin
Fundamental BJJ open guard sweep taught across all major lineages. No single inventor. [1]
Effectiveness
One of the highest-percentage open guard sweeps at beginner and intermediate levels. The push-pull mechanism makes it highly reliable. [1]
Lineage
Fundamental BJJ open guard curriculum.
Competition Record
Used at all levels of IBJJF competition as a fundamental open guard sweep.
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Push opponent's hip away with foot while pulling/hooking both ankles to remove their base
Kuzushi Principle — Push-pull mechanism displaces the opponent's weight backward while simultaneously removing their base
Position & Entry
From open guard — When opponent stands in your closed guard, open guard and immediately establish tripod (foot on hip + ankle hook)
From collar-sleeve guard — Release grips and transition to tripod sweep grips
From shin-on-shin guard — Convert to tripod by moving foot to hip
Variants
Standard tripod — foot on hip + far ankle grip + near ankle hook
Sickle sweep — complementary sweep using the hook foot as a sickle to cut the near leg
Collar-sleeve tripod — using collar and sleeve grips for upper body control
Seated tripod — from seated open guard when opponent stands
Videos
Learn Adam Wardziński's Signature Tripod Sweep | Jiu-Jitsu Technique
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Standard Tripod Sweep·FloGrappling
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Hidden Details In The BJJ Tripod Sweep (Open Guard) That You Have Never Seen Before by Gordon Ryan
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Standard Tripod Sweep·Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics
Hidden Details In The BJJ Tripod Sweep (Open Guard) That You Have Never Seen Before by Gordon Ryan - Click Here To Check…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The standard tripod sweep is a fundamental open-guard reversal executed by controlling the opponent's leg(s) while applying hip pressure to topple them forward. All three instructors agree on the core mechanic: foot/ankle control paired with hip or abdominal pressure creates the sweep. Gordon Ryan (via Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics) emphasizes critical details for high-level execution: establishing initial "stickiness" by wedging the opponent's ankle between the practitioner's thigh and arm prevents the opponent from rotating out; elevating the opponent's posting foot off the ground is essential, as it prevents them from stepping out and basing on their free leg. Ryan stresses pushing with one leg while pulling the opponent's foot upward rather than purely backward. Adam Wardziński (FloGrappling) prioritizes a far-side sleeve grip for control and balance, combined with a 45-degree angle relative to the opponent; he employs a push-pull motion—folding the arm to drive the opponent backward while actively hooking behind the Achilles and pulling forward. Professor Gustavo (MMA Leech) catalogs multiple entry points and variations: controlling both ankles with hands or feet, pushing the hip with knees, feet, or head depending on opponent distance and posture. All instructors agree timing and active leg control are decisive, though they differ in emphasis: Ryan highlights foot elevation and stickiness, Wardziński stresses angular positioning and the sleeve grip, and Gustavo provides systematic variations across guard types.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics — Hidden Details In The BJJ Tripod Sweep (Open Guard) That You Have Never Seen Before by Gordon Ryan: Introduced critical details on initial stickiness (wedging opponent's ankle), elevating the posting foot to prevent step-out, and the push-pull mechanics of the sweep. Provided follow-up control options post-sweep to prevent opponent escape.
- FloGrappling — Learn Adam Wardziński's Signature Tripod Sweep | Jiu-Jitsu Technique: Emphasized far-side sleeve grip for control and balance, angular positioning (45 degrees to the leg), and push-pull mechanics using a folded arm to drive backward while actively hooking behind the Achilles. Discussed guard retention and transitions to butterfly guard.
- MMA Leech — 8 Tripod Sweeps That You Should Know: Systematized eight variations of the tripod sweep across closed guard, open guard, and sit-up guard positions, showing multiple entry points and control methods (hands, feet, knees) depending on opponent posture and distance.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
1
Low1/10
Very safe — sweeping technique with minimal injury risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
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
✓The tripod sweep is one of the first open guard sweeps taught in BJJ, commonly paired with the sickle sweep. Travis Stevens, Adam Wardzinski, and many other instructors teach it as fundamental curriculum. The push-pull mechanism uses kuzushi (off-balancing) principles. Works from closed guard (when opponent stands), open guard, collar-sleeve guard, and shin-on-shin guard.
Common Mistakes
!Not pushing the hip strongly enough — the foot on the hip creates the backward force
!Not hooking the ankle — without the hook, the opponent can step out
!Attempting without controlling the far ankle — the far ankle grip prevents posting
!Timing — must be simultaneous push-pull, not sequential
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Opponent stands in guard → Open guard → Place foot on opponent's hip → Hook behind near ankle with other foot → Grip far ankle → Simultaneously: push hip away + hook near ankle + pull far ankle → Opponent falls → Come up to top position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Evolve MMA — BJJ Tripod Sweep
1BookBJJ Fanatics — Travis Stevens Teaches the Tripod Sweep
[2] BJJ World — tripod and sickle sweep combination
2OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Evolve MMA — Unlocking The Secrets Of The BJJ Tripod Sweep (evolve-mma.com) || BJJ Fanatics — Travis Stevens Teaches the Tripod Sweep || BJJ World — Tripod Sweep And Sickle Sweep As Checkpoint Guards (bjj-world.com)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationEvolve MMA — Unlocking The Secrets Of The BJJ Tripod Sweep (evolve-mma.com)
[1] Evolve MMA — tripod sweep mechanics
5CitationBJJ Fanatics — Travis Stevens Teaches the Tripod Sweep
[2] BJJ World — tripod and sickle sweep combination
6CitationBJJ World — Tripod Sweep And Sickle Sweep As Checkpoint Guards (bjj-world.com)
Community
Athletics
Requires
basic hip mobility, coordination
Key muscles
hip flexors, core, hamstrings
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from kicking out when I grab their foot in the tripod sweep?
According to Gordon Ryan, you need to form initial stickiness to your opponent's heel when you grab their ankle, which prevents them from turning and kicking out in that direction.
Should I push my opponent backwards in the tripod sweep, or is there a better approach?
Gordon Ryan emphasizes that instead of just pushing backwards, you should focus on elevating your opponent's foot off the ground by pushing with your leg and pulling their foot up, which takes away their ability to post.
Can I use my feet instead of my knees to control my opponent in the tripod sweep?
Yes—MMA Leech demonstrates that you can use your feet to push instead of your knees, keeping your feet in between your opponent's legs and lifting their ankles to prevent them from coming up.
How do I execute the tripod sweep from side control or seated position?
From a seated guard position, you can use a scissors motion with your legs when on your side for power, or transition to a shin-on-shin grip and elevate your opponent's hip with your knee while controlling their far ankle.
How does the Standard Tripod Sweep work?
The tripod sweep is a foundational open guard sweep where the guard player places one foot on the opponent's hip, hooks behind the opponent's ankle with the other foot, and grips the far ankle — simultaneously pushing the hip away while pulling/hooking both ankles to remove the opponent's base. Named for the three-point base created by the two hands and one foot on the hip.
Where does the Standard Tripod Sweep come from?
Fundamental BJJ open guard sweep taught across all major lineages. No single inventor.
Is the Standard Tripod 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 Standard Tripod Sweep?
Danger rating 1/10. Very safe — sweeping technique with minimal injury risk
How do I set up the Standard Tripod Sweep?
The standard setup chain: Opponent stands in guard → Open guard → Place foot on opponent's hip → Hook behind near ankle with other foot → Grip far ankle → Simultaneously: push hip away + hook near ankle + pull far ankle → Opponent falls → Come up to top position.
How do I defend against the Standard Tripod Sweep?
Standard counters include: Step over the hook — remove the ankle hook before the sweep develops / Post the free hand — prevent falling by posting out wide / Squat low — lower center of gravity to resist the push / Back step — step backward to remove the foot from the hip.
What are the variants of the Standard Tripod Sweep?
Common variants: Standard tripod (foot on hip + far ankle grip + near ankle hook); Sickle sweep (complementary sweep using the hook foot as a sickle to cu…); Collar-sleeve tripod (using collar and sleeve grips for upper body control); Seated tripod (from seated open guard when opponent stands).
How effective is the Standard Tripod Sweep in competition?
Used at all levels of IBJJF competition as a fundamental open guard sweep.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Tripod Sweep?
Top errors to watch for: Not pushing the hip strongly enough — the foot on the hip creates the backward force / Not hooking the ankle — without the hook, the opponent can step out / Attempting without controlling the far ankle — the far ankle grip prevents posting / Timing — must be simultaneous push-pull, not sequential.
What are other names for the Standard Tripod Sweep?
The Standard Tripod Sweep is also known as Sankyaku Suīpu, Tripod Sweep, Three-Point Sweep, Hook Sweep.