99 TECHNIQUES - #75 "Butterfly Guard Pass"
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Jean Jacques Sweep·Think Jiu Jitsu 99 Techniques
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Jean Jacques Sweep
SubFamilyジャンジャック・スイープ(Jan Jakku Suīpu)
TransliterationTranslation: Named after Jean Jacques Machado, the legendary BJJ coach under whom Eddie Bravo earned his black belt — the sweep is a tribute to Machado's influence on Bravo's grappling development
Overview
The Jean Jacques Sweep is a half guard sweep from the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system, executed from the lockdown position by establishing a deep underhook, elevating the opponent using a hip-whip motion (the 'Jaws of Life'), and rolling them over the top to achieve a dominant top position. [1] Eddie Bravo named this technique after his instructor Jean Jacques Machado — one of the five legendary Machado brothers and a multiple-time BJJ World Champion despite having a congenital hand condition (ectrodactyly) that limited his gripping ability, which led Machado to develop an innovative no-gi game that profoundly influenced Bravo's own approach. [1],[2] The sweep begins from the lockdown — the 10th Planet half guard control where the bottom player figure-fours their legs around the opponent's trapped leg and hooks the far ankle, creating an inescapable leg entanglement. [1] From the lockdown, the bottom player uses the 'Jaws of Life' movement — a powerful hip-whip that creates space between the two bodies — to thread a deep underhook under the opponent's far armpit. [1] Once the underhook is secured, the bottom player drives upward and forward, using the lockdown to lift the opponent's base while the underhook prevents them from posting with their arm — the opponent is rolled over the top onto their back, and the bottom player comes up in top position (typically side control or mount). [1] The Jean Jacques Sweep is one of the highest-percentage sweeps in the 10th Planet system because the lockdown provides far superior leg control compared to a standard half guard hook, making it extremely difficult for the opponent to base out and resist the sweep. [1]
JJ SweepMachado SweepHalf Guard Underhook SweepWrestlingLockdown to Underhook SweepWrestlingOld School Sweep
History & Origin
The Jean Jacques Sweep was developed by Eddie Bravo as part of his 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system, named in tribute to his instructor Jean Jacques Machado. [1] Machado (born 1967) is one of the five Machado brothers — cousins of the Gracie family — who brought Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the United States in the 1990s. [2] Jean Jacques' congenital hand condition (ectrodactyly, resulting in fewer fingers on both hands) led him to develop an innovative grappling style that minimised reliance on gi grips, focusing instead on body positioning, underhooks, and leg control — this no-gi-friendly approach profoundly influenced Bravo's development of the 10th Planet system. [1],[2] Bravo earned his black belt under Machado and went on to defeat Royler Gracie at ADCC 2003, a victory that validated both Bravo's techniques and Machado's teaching methodology. [2] The Jean Jacques Sweep is documented in Mastering the Rubber Guard (2006) as one of the core half guard sweeps in the 10th Planet curriculum. [1]
Effectiveness
The Jean Jacques Sweep is one of the highest-percentage sweeps in the 10th Planet system because the lockdown provides a level of leg control that is unavailable from standard half guard. [1] The lockdown prevents the opponent from extracting their leg (the most common half guard escape), which means the sweep attempt can be sustained over a longer period without the risk of losing the position entirely. [1] In EBI (Eddie Bravo Invitational) competition, the lockdown-to-sweep sequence (either Jean Jacques or Electric Chair) is one of the most commonly seen half guard offensive strategies. [1] The sweep is especially effective in MMA because it achieves top position while maintaining control throughout the transition — there is no scramble phase where the bottom player is vulnerable to strikes. [1]
Lineage
Competition Record
Used extensively in EBI (Eddie Bravo Invitational) competition. The lockdown-to-sweep sequence (Jean Jacques and Electric Chair) is a standard offensive strategy for 10th Planet half guard players. The technique has been used in UFC competition by fighters with 10th Planet training backgrounds.
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Three-phase sweep: (1) Lockdown controls the opponent's leg, (2) Jaws of Life hip-whip creates space for the underhook, (3) The underhook and lockdown combine to lift and roll the opponent
Joints Involved — Bottom player's legs: hips (flexion/extension for the Jaws of Life whip), knees (flexion for the lockdown figure-four), ankles (hooked around the opponent's far ankle); Bottom player's arms: shoulder (abduction for the deep underhook), elbow (flexion to grip deep under the opponent's armpit); Bottom player's hips (the primary power source for the sweeping motion — the hip bridge drives the opponent upward and over)
Force Vector — Upward and lateral — the lockdown lifts the opponent's base from below while the underhook drives them laterally. The combined vector rolls the opponent diagonally over their own shoulder.
Leverage Principle — The lockdown creates a fulcrum at the opponent's trapped knee — by elevating the locked-down leg while driving with the underhook, the bottom player creates a lever system where the opponent's weight is lifted around the knee fulcrum. The underhook on the far side prevents the opponent from posting (placing their hand on the mat to resist), removing their primary counter to the sweep.
Position & Entry
From lockdown half guard (standard) — Establish the lockdown (figure-four legs around the opponent's trapped leg, hook the far ankle) → Perform the Jaws of Life (hip-whip to create space) → Thread the deep underhook → Drive upward with the hips while the underhook pulls the opponent over → Come up to top position
From half guard against a flattening opponent — When the opponent is flattening you with cross-face pressure, establish the lockdown first (the leg control does not require upper body positioning), then use the Jaws of Life to create the space needed for the underhook
After a failed Electric Chair attempt — If the Electric Chair sweep or submission is defended, transition to the Jean Jacques Sweep by releasing the far-leg underhook and establishing the armpit underhook instead
From standard half guard to lockdown — When playing standard half guard bottom, convert to the lockdown by hooking the opponent's far ankle with your outside foot, then proceed with the Jean Jacques sequence
Variants
Standard Jean Jacques — lockdown to underhook to sweep
Old School — a simplified version where the underhook is established before the lockdown, and the sweep uses a simpler rocking motion
Jean Jacques to back take — if the opponent resists the sweep by turning away, following them to take the back instead of completing the sweep
Jean Jacques to Electric Chair — if the opponent defends the underhook, switching to the Electric Chair entry
Jean Jacques to dogfight — coming up to a kneeling position (dogfight) rather than completing the full sweep, then finishing from the knees
Videos
The Jean Jacques Machado Hook Flip or Butterfly Takedown by Greg Hamilton BJJ
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Jean Jacques Sweep·Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu DFW
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What Instructors Say
The Jean Jacques Sweep, also known as the Jean Jacques Machado Hook Flip or Butterfly Takedown, is a leg-hook-based takedown executed from standing against an opponent in butterfly guard. Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu DFW emphasizes proper grip and posture mechanics: the same-side arm and leg must be forward simultaneously to generate power, with one hand posting to control the opponent's free hand while the other pulls. Footwork is critical—the sweep executor must circle and shuffle, controlling the opponent's stepping pattern and forward progress to dictate accuracy. The sweep initiates by forcing an outside hook under the opponent's leg, with the pulling hand controlling the calf as the post hand creates downward pressure. The executor must sit off-center and block the opponent's base leg (preventing posting) by controlling their toes with a free leg. The hook is lifted explosively to complete the sweep, pulling the executor's own body back up to standing rather than simply throwing the opponent over. Think Jiu Jitsu 99 Techniques provides complementary detail on controlling the bottom player's posture by holding their armpits elevated and closing distance, though their focus shifts toward a guard-passing variation rather than a pure standing sweep. Both sources emphasize controlling the opponent's base and preventing post-outs as fundamental to sweep success.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu DFW — The Jean Jacques Machado Hook Flip or Butterfly Takedown by Greg Hamilton BJJ: Detailed mechanics on grip parity (same-side arm/leg forward), footwork circling patterns, hook placement under the leg, hand coordination (push/pull), center displacement, base control via toe blocking, and the lift-based finish requiring body recovery.
- Think Jiu Jitsu 99 Techniques — 99 TECHNIQUES - #75 "Butterfly Guard Pass": Posture control methodology through armpit management and distance closure; emphasizes preventing posting and sequential leg movement for sweep execution, though primary focus is guard passing rather than pure takedown.
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
The Jean Jacques Sweep is a positional reversal with minimal injury risk to either participant. The sweep involves rolling the opponent to their back, not striking or applying joint pressure.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— no leg attacks below waist
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDFLegal
— IJF — Legal throwing technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— Unified MMA — Legal throwing technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The lockdown is the prerequisite — without a solid lockdown, the Jean Jacques Sweep cannot be executed because the opponent can simply extract their leg and pass. Drill the lockdown figure-four and the far-ankle hook as isolated skills (Bravo, 2006). [1] The Jaws of Life is the most important component: this hip-whip creates the space needed for the underhook. Drill the Jaws of Life in isolation — from lockdown, explode the hips upward and outward to create a gap between your chest and the opponent's chest. If you cannot create this space, the underhook cannot be threaded. [1] The underhook must be DEEP — the hand must reach all the way under the opponent's armpit and grip behind their far shoulder or the back of their gi. A shallow underhook (hand only reaching the opponent's chest) will collapse during the sweep. [1] The sweep itself is powered by the HIPS, not the arms: bridge upward while pulling with the underhook. Think of it as a hip thrust that lifts the opponent, with the underhook directing where they fall. [1] Chain training: drill Lockdown → Jaws of Life → Jean Jacques Sweep → if defended, transition to Electric Chair → if that's defended, back to Jean Jacques → continuously cycle between the two sweeps until one succeeds. [1] In MMA, the Jean Jacques Sweep is especially valuable because it achieves top position without releasing the opponent — you maintain control throughout the transition from bottom to top. [1]
Common Mistakes
!Shallow underhook — the most common failure; if the underhook is not deep enough (hand reaching only to the opponent's chest rather than behind the far shoulder), it collapses during the sweep attempt
!Skipping the Jaws of Life — attempting to get the underhook without first creating space (via the Jaws of Life hip-whip) results in fighting for the underhook against the opponent's body weight, which is exhausting and usually fails
!Sweeping with the arms instead of the hips — pulling with the underhook arm alone produces a weak sweep; the hips must bridge upward to lift the opponent's weight
!Losing the lockdown during the sweep — if the lockdown loosens during the sweeping motion, the opponent can base by extending their trapped leg; maintain tight lockdown throughout
!Not committing to the roll — hesitating at the top of the sweep (when the opponent is partially elevated) allows them to settle their weight back down; the sweep must be completed in one committed motion
!Ending in a bad position — coming up to top position but landing in the opponent's guard rather than side control; follow through fully to pass and establish dominant position
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Prevent the lockdown — the simplest defence; if the bottom player cannot establish the figure-four leg entanglement, the entire Jean Jacques system is neutralisedStrip the underhook — fight the underhook as it is being established; once the underhook is deep, the sweep is very difficult to stopWhizzer (overhook) — establishing a whizzer on the underhook arm can counter the sweep by redirecting the bottom player's lifting forceBase wide — spreading the feet wide creates a more stable base that is harder to lift with the sweepDrive forward — increasing forward pressure flattens the bottom player and removes the space needed for the Jaws of LifePass the half guard — rather than defending the sweep, pass the half guard entirely to remove the lockdown threat
Setup Chain
1Bottom half guard → Establish lockdown (figure-four legs, hook far ankle) → Jaws of Life (explosive hip-whip to create space between the bodies) → Thread deep underhook under opponent's far armpit → Grip behind far shoulder or grab the belt/waistband → Bridge upward with the hips while pulling with the underhook → Lockdown lifts the opponent's base while underhook directs the roll → Opponent rolls over their own shoulder → Bottom player comes up to top position (side control or mount) → Consolidate top position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006)
1Book[1] Bravo, E. with Krauss, E. and Cordoza, G. (2006). Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu-Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition. Victory Belt Publishing. Half Guard / Lockdown section. [2] Machado, J.J. and Howell, K. (2006). The BJJ Dirty Dozen. Victory Belt Publishing. Jean Jacques Machado biography.pp. Bravo 2006, Lockdown and Sweeps section (Jean Jacques Sweep sequence)
description: [1] Bravo 2006 lockdown/sweep section
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3Citation[1] Bravo, E. with Krauss, E. and Cordoza, G. (2006). Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu-Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition. Victory Belt Publishing. Half Guard / Lockdown section. [2] Machado, J.J. and Howell, K. (2006). The BJJ Dirty Dozen. Victory Belt Publishing. Jean Jacques Machado biography.pp. Bravo 2006, Lockdown and Sweeps section (Jean Jacques Sweep sequence)
description: [1] Bravo 2006 lockdown/sweep section
Community
Athletics
Requires strong hip extension (glutes and hamstrings) for the Jaws of Life and the sweeping bridge
Good leg dexterity for maintaining the lockdown while transitioning
Upper body control for threading and maintaining the deep underhook
Core strength for the bridging/rolling motion
Does NOT require exceptional flexibility (unlike rubber guard techniques)
Accessible to all body types — the lockdown and underhook mechanics work regardless of limb length
Notes
Named after Jean Jacques Machado — a specific sweep from the Machado family's BJJ lineage. The Machado brothers (Jean Jacques, Rigan, Carlos, Roger, John) are one of the most influential BJJ families alongside the Gracies. (Machado family BJJ lineage; BJJ history)
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do with my head position during the Jean Jacques Sweep?
Keep your head up with peripheral vision on the opponent's feet rather than looking down at them, so you can see both their feet and eyes at the same time (Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu DFW).
How do I control my opponent's movement before executing the sweep?
Constantly shuffle and circle, making forward progress so you're the one advancing while they retreat, which determines accuracy and control of the technique (Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu DFW).
What hand positioning should I use when finishing the sweep?
Push the opponent's elbow toward the center with one hand while the other hand pushes them to the side, creating downward force to drive them onto your hook rather than on top of you (Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu DFW).
How do I prevent my opponent from posting after being swept?
After placing your opponent on the hook, sit off to the side and control their toes while blocking the outside leg with your free leg so they cannot post (Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu DFW).
How does the Jean Jacques Sweep work?
The Jean Jacques Sweep is a half guard sweep from the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system, executed from the lockdown position by establishing a deep underhook, elevating the opponent using a hip-whip motion (the 'Jaws of Life'), and rolling them over the top to achieve a dominant top position. Eddie Bravo named this technique after his instructor Jean Jacques Machado — one of the five legendary Machado brothers and a multiple-time BJJ World Champion despite having a congenital hand condition (ectrodactyly) that limited his gripping ability, which led Machado to develop an innovative no-gi game that profoundly influenced Bravo's own approach.
Where does the Jean Jacques Sweep come from?
The Jean Jacques Sweep was developed by Eddie Bravo as part of his 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system, named in tribute to his instructor Jean Jacques Machado. Machado (born 1967) is one of the five Machado brothers — cousins of the Gracie family — who brought Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the United States in the 1990s.
Is the Jean Jacques Sweep legal in competition?
IJF: legal — Legal throwing technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; UWW: restricted — Legal in freestyle, banned in Greco-Roman (no leg attacks below waist); Unified MMA: legal — Legal throwing technique; ADCC: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Jean Jacques Sweep?
Danger rating 2/10. The Jean Jacques Sweep is a positional reversal with minimal injury risk to either participant. The sweep involves rolling the opponent to their back, not striking or applying joint pressure.
How do I set up the Jean Jacques Sweep?
The standard setup chain: Bottom half guard → Establish lockdown (figure-four legs, hook far ankle) → Jaws of Life (explosive hip-whip to create space between the bodies) → Thread deep underhook under opponent's far armpit → Grip behind far shoulder or grab the belt/waistband → Bridge upward with the hips while pulling with the underhook → Lockdown lifts the opponent's base while underhook directs the roll → Opponent rolls over their own shoulder → Bottom player comes up to top position (side control or mount) → Consolidate top position.
How do I defend against the Jean Jacques Sweep?
Standard counters include: Prevent the lockdown — the simplest defence; if the bottom player cannot establish the figure-four leg entanglement, … / Strip the underhook — fight the underhook as it is being established; once the underhook is deep, the sweep is very d… / Whizzer (overhook) — establishing a whizzer on the underhook arm can counter the sweep by redirecting the bottom play… / Base wide — spreading the feet wide creates a more stable base that is harder to lift with the sweep.
What are the variants of the Jean Jacques Sweep?
Common variants: Standard Jean Jacques (lockdown to underhook to sweep); Old School (a simplified version where the underhook is established b…); Jean Jacques to back take (if the opponent resists the sweep by turning away, follow…); Jean Jacques to Electric Chair (if the opponent defends the underhook, switching to the E…); Jean Jacques to dogfight (coming up to a kneeling position (dogfight) rather than c…).
How effective is the Jean Jacques Sweep in competition?
Used extensively in EBI (Eddie Bravo Invitational) competition. The lockdown-to-sweep sequence (Jean Jacques and Electric Chair) is a standard offensive strategy for 10th Planet half guard players.
What are common mistakes when doing the Jean Jacques Sweep?
Top errors to watch for: Shallow underhook — the most common failure; if the underhook is not deep enough (hand reaching only to the opponent'… / Skipping the Jaws of Life — attempting to get the underhook without first creating space (via the Jaws of Life hip-wh… / Sweeping with the arms instead of the hips — pulling with the underhook arm alone produces a weak sweep; the hips mus… / Losing the lockdown during the sweep — if the lockdown loosens during the sweeping motion, the opponent can base by e….
What are other names for the Jean Jacques Sweep?
The Jean Jacques Sweep is also known as Jan Jakku Suīpu, JJ Sweep, Machado Sweep, Half Guard Underhook Sweep, Lockdown to Underhook Sweep.