5 BJJ Sweeps Every Beginner Should Learn

Sweeps are one of the most basic and important techniques in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They are used for taking an opponent off their base and putting them on the ground. Sweeps can be performed from standing or closed guard positions.

For BJJ beginners, it is important to learn the basic sweeps so that you can start developing a good guard game. There are a lot of sweep variations in BJJ, some of which are significantly more difficult than others.

As a beginner, start by learning the most common, basic sweeps that will work against most opponents. We will show you the five BJJ sweeps every beginner should learn so that you can start beating your opponents at training and in matches.

What Is a BJJ Sweep?

Before we get into the five sweeps, let’s first quickly go over what a sweep is. A sweep in BJJ is defined as a technique that off-balances or destabilizes an opponent so that they fall to the ground.

There are many different types of sweeps but they all share the common goal of taking the opponent down.

When to Perform a Sweep

As we mentioned before, BJJ sweeps can be performed from either standing or guard positions. In general, you will want to sweep your opponent when they are off balance or are trying to stand up.

This is the perfect opportunity for a sweep because it will be much harder for them to recover their balance and they will most likely fall to the ground. In addition, sweeps can be used to set up other submissions or can be combined with additional sweeps, so they are a great tool to have in your arsenal.

5 BJJ Beginner Sweeps

Now that we know what a sweep is and when to perform one, let’s take a look at the five BJJ sweeps every beginner should learn.

The Flower Sweep

The flower sweep is a great sweep for beginners because it is relatively simple to execute and can be done from many different positions. By far the most common position to perform the flower sweep from is the guard, but it can also be done from side control, mount, and even turtle.

To execute the flower sweep from the guard, start by sitting up and grabbing your opponent’s left sleeve with your right hand. Next, use your left hand to grab their right pant leg just above the knee. Now, extend your legs and sweep their left leg with your right leg. As you sweep their leg, pull on their sleeve and pant leg to bring them over onto their back.

The Butterfly Sweep

The butterfly sweep is another great sweep for beginners and, like the flower sweep, can be done from many different positions. The butterfly sweep can be done from the guard, side control, mount, and turtle positions.

To execute the butterfly sweep from the guard, start by sitting up and placing your feet on your opponent’s hips. Next, reach over their shoulders with your left arm, grabbing their right sleeve. Use your right hand to grab their left pant leg just above the knee. Next, extend your legs and sweep their right leg with your left leg. As you sweep their leg, pull on their sleeve and pant leg and they will fall to their back.

The Scissor Sweep

The scissor sweep is another great sweep for beginners. It can be done from the same positions as the flower and butterfly sweeps and works by turning your hips and using your legs to control your opponent’s hips and legs. This sweep is great for beginners because it does not require a lot of strength.

To do the scissor sweep from the guard, start in your opponent’s closed guard. Place your left leg over your opponent’s right thigh and your right leg over your left thigh. From here, use your legs to control your opponent’s hips and legs. Turn your hips to the left and sweep your opponent’s legs out from under them. As you sweep their legs, stand up and pass their guard.

Hip Bump Sweep

The hip bump sweep is a great sweep for beginners because it is straightforward to execute. The basic idea behind the hip bump sweep is to use your hips to off-balance your opponent and then sweep them over onto their back. This can be done from both the top and bottom positions.

To execute the hip bump sweep from the top position, you will start in your opponent’s guard. From here, you will place your right hand on their left knee and your left hand on their right shoulder. You will then use your hips to bump their left leg up and over while at the same time driving them over onto their back.

From the bottom position, the execution of the hip bump sweep is very similar. The only difference is that you will start in your opponent’s half guard instead of their guard. From here, you will place your right hand on their left knee and your left hand on their right shoulder. Use your hips to bump their left leg up and over and drive them over onto their back.

Lumberjack Sweep

The Lumberjack Sweep is a great move for beginners to learn because it can also be done from multiple positions. It’s also a relatively simple sweep to execute, making it a good choice when you’re first starting.

To perform the Lumberjack Sweep, start in the guard position. From there, reach over and grab your opponent’s near leg with your same-side hand. Next, extend your other arm and grab their far leg, just above the knee. Now, sweep their legs out from under them while keeping a strong grip on both legs. As they fall backward, come up into mount position.

Common Mistakes with Sweeps

We’ve gone over some of the most common sweeps that beginners should learn. But, as with anything else in Jiu Jitsu, it is common to make mistakes along the way. Here are some common mistakes that people make when attempting sweeps:

Not Establishing Base

One of the most common mistakes people make when attempting a sweep is not establishing a good base. A strong base is key to successfully completing a sweep. Without a good base, you will not be able to generate the necessary power to execute the sweep properly and may be thrown off balance instead of your opponent.

Not Controlling the Opponent’s Hips

Another common mistake people make when sweeping is failing to control their opponent’s hips. This is especially true when attempting scissor sweeps. If you do not control your opponent’s hips, they will be able to easily escape the sweep attempt.

Failing To Maintain Balance

Another common mistake people make when sweeping is failing to maintain their balance. This is often the result of not having a good base. Without a good base, it is very easy to lose your balance and be off-balanced. This will make it much harder to sweep your opponent.

Not Exploding Into the Sweep

One final common mistake people make when sweeping is not exploding into the sweep. This is often the result of not having a good base or failing to control your opponent’s hips. Without a good base or control of the hips, it will be very difficult to generate the necessary power to execute the sweep.

Conclusion

Sweeps are a great way to take your opponent off their feet and onto their back. They are a fundamental part of Jiu Jitsu and every beginner should learn them. In this article, we went over five common sweeps that every beginner should learn. We also discussed some common mistakes that people make when attempting sweeps. Remember, the key to successfully executing a sweep is to have a strong base and to control your opponent’s hips. If you can do these things, you will be well on your way to sweeping your opponents with ease.