The Sneakiest Foot Sweep Anyone Can Do - Travis Stevens Basic Judo Techniques
0
Stick Shift Sweep·Travis Stevens
I hope you found this technique useful. If you're looking for more details on how you can improve your judo, check out m…
Stick Shift Sweep
SubFamilyスティックシフトスイープ(Sutikku Shifuto Suīpu)
Translation: Stick shift sweep
Overview
The Stick Shift Sweep uses a gear-shifting hand motion to switch underhook control in half guard, creating an off-balance angle for a technical sweep. [1]
Stick ShiftHalf Guard Gear Shift
History & Origin
Developed by Eddie Bravo for the 10th Planet system. [1]
Effectiveness
High-percentage no-gi sweep. [1]
Lineage
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu. [1]
Competition Record
Used in EBI and MMA competition
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Sweep mechanics from half guard/rubber guard
Position & Entry
From half guard — Execute stick shift sweep
Variants
Not yet documented
Videos
5 Judo foot sweeps
0
Stick Shift Sweep·Shintaro Higashi
Foot sweeps in Judo are a great way to unsettle your opponents and sometimes, they score ippons as well. Here are 5 snea…
Judo footsweeps in depth
0
Stick Shift Sweep·Shintaro Higashi
Judo footsweeps in depth Footsweeps are timing oriented. I cover these three in this video: O uchi gari, de ashi barai…
1 / 2
3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The Stick Shift Sweep is a judo foot sweep technique emphasizing timing, hip engagement, and sequential footwork combinations rather than isolated movements. Shintaro Higashi (appearing in two videos) stresses that timing is paramount—the sweep fails if executed without precise positioning relative to opponent weight distribution. Both Higashi instructors underscore that the hips must remain engaged and forward, not hinged backward, to generate sufficient force through the legs. Travis Stevens teaches a foundational "step on the foot" variant where the practitioner positions their arch under the opponent's ankle, maintaining weight on the toes while using body leverage to push before executing the sweep through the opponent's center rather than past them. Higashi's approach favors combination sequences—such as Osoto Gari into Dasashi into Kosoto Gari—where the initial technique forces a defensive reaction that creates an opening for the follow-up sweep. Stevens emphasizes footwork mechanics: stepping in to establish control, maintaining proper foot contact, and extending through the hips to elevate and finish. Both instructors agree the technique relies on reading opponent movement and weight shifts rather than predetermined patterns. Higashi notes that successful application requires creating movement through hand positioning and directional changes, allowing the practitioner to attack trailing legs when weight transfers off them.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Shintaro Higashi — Judo footsweeps in depth: Detailed explanation of timing-based foot sweep mechanics, hip engagement requirements, and combination sequences (Osoto Gari → Dasashi → Kosoto Gari), emphasizing how initial techniques create opportunities for follow-up sweeps
- Travis Stevens — The Sneakiest Foot Sweep Anyone Can Do - Travis Stevens Basic Judo Techniques: Foundational footwork mechanics of the step-on-foot sweep variant, including proper arch-to-ankle positioning, weight distribution on toes, body mechanics for pushing through opponent's center, and hip extension during execution
- Shintaro Higashi — 5 Judo foot sweeps: Demonstration of combinations and reactive timing principles, showing how to chain multiple foot sweeps (Osoto Gari, Kosoto Gari, Dasashi, heel hook variations) and adjust based on opponent defensive reactions
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
2
Low2/10
Positional reversal
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
✓Drill the lockdown foundation first (Bravo, 2006)
Common Mistakes
!Poor timing
!Not breaking base first
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Half guard → Lockdown → Stick Shift Sweep → 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.
2Citation[1] Bravo, E. with Krauss, E. and Cordoza, G. (2006). Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu-Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition. Victory Belt Publishing.
[1] Bravo, Mastering the Rubber Guard (2006) — technique description and application
Community
Athletics
Good hip mobility
Lower body strength
Notes
The Stick Shift Sweep is a 10th Planet sweep documented in Mastering the Rubber Guard. Named in Bravo's distinctive pop-culture naming convention. (Bravo, Mastering the Rubber Guard, 2006)
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is timing when executing a foot sweep?
Timing is the most critical element of foot sweeps. Shintaro Higashi emphasizes that without perfect timing, even dominant position and proper technique won't generate enough force to complete the throw effectively.
What's the correct hip position when setting up a foot sweep?
Your hips cannot be hinged when executing foot sweeps like Koji or Kosodo. Once your hips are hinged, it becomes very difficult to apply the necessary force, even if your timing is good.
Where exactly should my foot contact my opponent's foot during a sweep?
Travis Stevens explains that your arch should match the top midsole of your opponent's foot, with your arch positioned right underneath their ankle bone. Avoid putting your heel down or stepping on the big toe—instead, reach to the outside while keeping your weight on your toes so you can transfer power into the sweep.
Should I memorize specific foot sweep combinations?
No—instead, focus on reading openings and responding case by case. Shintaro Higashi advises that you should coordinate foot sweeps fluidly rather than memorizing sequences, allowing you to fill in combinations with your own foot sweeps as opportunities arise.
How does the Stick Shift Sweep work?
The Stick Shift Sweep uses a gear-shifting hand motion to switch underhook control in half guard, creating an off-balance angle for a technical sweep.
Where does the Stick Shift Sweep come from?
Developed by Eddie Bravo for the 10th Planet system.
Is the Stick Shift 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 Stick Shift Sweep?
Danger rating 2/10. Positional reversal
How do I set up the Stick Shift Sweep?
The standard setup chain: Half guard → Lockdown → Stick Shift Sweep → Top position.
How do I defend against the Stick Shift Sweep?
Standard counters include: Base out / Whizzer / Pass the half guard.
How effective is the Stick Shift Sweep in competition?
Used in EBI and MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Stick Shift Sweep?
Top errors to watch for: Poor timing / Not breaking base first.
What are other names for the Stick Shift Sweep?
The Stick Shift Sweep is also known as Sutikku Shifuto Suīpu, Stick Shift, Half Guard Gear Shift.