Closed Guard as a Defensive Position
Closed guard serves as a fundamental survival tool when a grappler is exhausted or significantly outmatched in size. The position allows the bottom player to neutralize the opponent's advantages while buying time to recover and reassess. Learning to establish proper grips is essential for executing offensive techniques from this position.
Grip Sequencing and Collar Control
Rather than immediately reaching for the collar, the bottom player should first secure a sleeve grip to prevent the opponent from controlling the arm being committed to the collar. Once the sleeve grip is established, the player can safely transition to a deep collar grip, capturing as much material as possible with fingers positioned toward the opponent's front deltoid. For advanced practitioners, trapping the opponent's hand with the forearm before opening and securing the collar provides additional control.
Secondary Grip and Sleeve Control
The second grip should target the opponent's sleeve just downstream of the elbow joint, either through a direct grip or a horse rein grip along the seam of the sleeve. This dual-grip setup provides the foundation for transitioning into the scissor sweep while maintaining control over both the upper body and the arm being targeted.
Positioning for the Scissor Sweep
To initiate the scissor sweep, the bottom player slides their feet to the mat while maintaining knee pressure and gradually shifts their hips outward in small, controlled movements. The positioning should advance only until one knee reaches approximately the middle of the opponent's torso; going further risks the opponent flattening the legs and progressing past the guard. This conservative approach allows for additional adjustment if needed while preventing premature collapse.
The Crunch and Angle Acquisition
Before executing the sweep, the bottom player performs two successive crunching movements: first crunching toward the opponent to drive the knee into the ribs, then crunching toward the toes to establish the dominant angle. Once the proper angle is achieved, the bottom player is positioned to apply a hooking action with the top leg while using the bottom leg to drive the opponent over the planted knee.
Sweep Execution and Hip Control
The sweep is completed by lifting the opponent through the planted knee while simultaneously extracting the bottom leg by pulling it toward the body rather than kicking it outward. This inward pulling motion, rather than an outward kick, prevents the creation of space between the grappler and opponent, maintaining control of the opponent's hips throughout the transition. The top arm remains positioned to immediately transition into choke techniques once the sweep is completed.
Common Error: Emphasis on the Kick
Traditional scissor sweep instruction often emphasizes an outward kicking motion with the top leg, which can create problematic space between the players. This spacing allows the opponent to escape the sweep or establish dominant positioning, potentially leading to leg lock attacks or further complications. Prioritizing hip control through inward leg extraction over outward kicking significantly increases sweep success and maintains positional security.
Scissor Sweep-The Basics!
Key Takeaways
- •Closed Guard as a Defensive Position
- •Grip Sequencing and Collar Control
- •Secondary Grip and Sleeve Control
- •Positioning for the Scissor Sweep
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does this video teach about scissor sweep?
This video covers closed guard as a defensive position, grip sequencing and collar control, secondary grip and sleeve control. It provides detailed instruction from The Grappling Academy.
How long does it take to learn scissor sweep?
The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 7-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.
What are the key details for finishing scissor sweep?
The sweep is completed by lifting the opponent through the planted knee while simultaneously extracting the bottom leg by pulling it toward the body rather than kicking it outward. This inward pulling motion, rather than an outward kick, prevents the creation of space between the grappler and opponent, maintaining control of the opponent's hips throughout the transition. The top arm remains positioned to immediately transition into choke techniques once the sweep is completed.
