How to throw defensive opponents in Judo and BJJ
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Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep·Shintaro Higashi
How to throw defensive opponents in Judo and BJJ For more detailed and structured instruction, please visit my Judofana…
Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep
SubFamilyダブル・Under-the-legs・ディフェンス・To・スイープ(Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep)
Translation: double under-the-legs defense to sweep
Overview
The Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep converts a defensive position (when the opponent has both legs stacked) into an offensive sweep by timing a hip escape and roll. [1]
Double Under SweepStack Defense Sweep
History & Origin
The Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep is a guard sweep detailed in Saulo Ribeiro's systematic BJJ approach. [1]
Effectiveness
Effective guard sweep technique. [1]
Lineage
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guard methodology. [1]
Competition Record
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Guard sweep mechanics for double under-the-legs defense to sweep
Joints Involved — Hips, legs for the sweeping motion
Position & Entry
From guard — Execute the double under-the-legs defense to sweep
Variants
Not yet documented
Videos
5 Best NoGi Judo Takedowns/ Throws for BJJ
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Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep·Grappling Education
Keller Locke-Sodhi and Rhys Allan teach FIVE of their favourite Judo takedowns adapted for NoGi grappling/ Brazilian Jiu…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The double under-the-legs defense to sweep is a counter-technique employed when an opponent attempts a takedown targeting the legs while the defender is in a strong base position. Shintaro Higashi emphasizes the critical importance of controlling posture and grip before engaging in leg-targeting exchanges, advocating a two-handed grip control strategy (sleeve and lapel) to dominate the opponent's posture while preventing them from controlling the defender's own posture. He stresses that once superior grip position and hand placement are established, the defender can transition into sweeping attacks, ankle picks, or turns with significantly reduced risk. Grappling Education (featuring Rhys Allen) approaches leg-based sweeps from a no-gi perspective, demonstrating how to force an opponent's weight distribution onto a single leg through collar tie and tricep control, then executing an outside leg sweep. Both instructors agree that balance disruption (kuzushi) and proximity control are foundational: the defender must either break the attacker's balance or force weight commitment to a single leg before executing the sweep. Higashi focuses on grip-fighting methodology and sequential hand adjustments in gi settings, while Grappling Education emphasizes weight distribution manipulation and timing the sweep to a reactive moment when the opponent attempts to regain posture.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Shintaro Higashi — How to throw defensive opponents in Judo and BJJ: Detailed grip control strategy for neutralizing defensive posture (two-handed lapel and sleeve grip), establishing hand position advantage, and transitioning to sweeping attacks from a superior grip framework in gi grappling.
- Grappling Education — 5 Best NoGi Judo Takedowns/ Throws for BJJ: No-gi methodology for forcing weight distribution onto a single leg via collar tie and tricep control, timing the outside leg sweep to the moment when the opponent attempts to recover posture or pop up from pressure.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Positional reversal technique
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
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 timing with a partner (Ribeiro & Howell, 2008)
Common Mistakes
!Poor timing
!Not breaking the opponent's base first
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Guard control → Break balance → Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep → Achieve top position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro & Howell, 2008)
1Book[1] Ribeiro, S. and Howell, K. (2008). Jiu-Jitsu University. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9815044-3-8. Technical Editor: John Danaher.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Ribeiro, S
2Citation[1] Ribeiro, S. and Howell, K. (2008). Jiu-Jitsu University. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9815044-3-8. Technical Editor: John Danaher.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Ribeiro, S
Community
Athletics
Hip mobility
Timing
Core strength
Notes
A specific Krav Maga or self-defense technique — defending against a double-leg takedown by sprawling and using the leg position to sweep the attacker. Combines takedown defense with counter-offense. (Self-defense and MMA training manuals)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I maintain control when my opponent tries to pop up out of my posture break?
According to Grappling Education, as your opponent pops up and their weight transfers to their lead leg, you should capitalize immediately by attacking with a throw like taitoshi. Time your attack to coincide with their pop-up motion, and extend your leg to create additional power through the throw.
What's the key to preventing my opponent from escaping my grip control?
Controlling the grip is super important—as a rule, never let your opponent's hand touch your hip, according to Grappling Education. Maintaining this hand position prevents them from establishing control that would allow them to counter your technique.
Why shouldn't I take a deep Whizzer when setting up my throw?
Grappling Education explains that if your Whizzer is too deep, it limits your hip movement and makes it very difficult to execute techniques like an Uchimada effectively.
How does the Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep work?
The Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep converts a defensive position (when the opponent has both legs stacked) into an offensive sweep by timing a hip escape and roll.
Where does the Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep come from?
The Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep is a guard sweep detailed in Saulo Ribeiro's systematic BJJ approach.
Is the Double Under-the-Legs Defense to 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 Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep?
Danger rating 2/10. Positional reversal technique
How do I set up the Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep?
The standard setup chain: Guard control → Break balance → Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep → Achieve top position.
How do I defend against the Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep?
Standard counters include: Base out / Post with the hand / Pressure pass.
How effective is the Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep in competition?
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep?
Top errors to watch for: Poor timing / Not breaking the opponent's base first.
What are other names for the Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep?
The Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep is also known as Double Under-the-Legs Defense to Sweep, Double Under Sweep, Stack Defense Sweep.