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Sickle Sweep from Closed Guard

SweepClosed-guard sweepBelt: white+Risk: lowIBJJFADCCNo-GiSub-OnlyMMA

The Sickle Sweep from closed guard is a fundamental sweep used to off-balance and reverse a kneeling opponent by controlling their ankle and sleeve or wrist, typically resulting in top half guard or mount. It is valued for its simplicity and effectiveness against opponents who stand or stagger their base inside closed guard.

Start
Closed guard with opponent kneeling
End
Top half guard / mount
Prerequisites: Breaking opponent's posture · Hip escape · Establishing a sleeve grip · Open guard retention

Steps

  1. 1
    Break Posture and Establish Grips
    From closed guard, use both hands to pull your opponent forward, breaking their posture. Secure a strong sleeve or wrist grip with your cross hand (e.g., your left hand to their right wrist), and use your other hand to grip their same-side ankle or pants cuff.
  2. 2
    Open Guard and Shift Hips
    Open your guard and immediately hip escape slightly away from the ankle you are controlling, creating an angle. Keep your sleeve/wrist grip tight to prevent them from posturing up.
  3. 3
    Place Foot on Hip
    Place your foot (same side as your sleeve/wrist grip) on their hip to maintain distance and control their posture, keeping your knee pointed outward for leverage.
  4. 4
    Extend Opponent and Set Up Sweep Leg
    Use your foot on their hip to push their upper body away while simultaneously sliding your other leg down and behind their far ankle, hooking it firmly with your instep.
  5. 5
    Execute the Sickle Motion
    Pull their sleeve/wrist forward and across your body as you simultaneously kick your hook leg straight, sweeping their far ankle out from under them. Pull their ankle toward you with your grip to amplify the off-balance.
  6. 6
    Follow Through and Come Up
    As your opponent falls, release your foot from their hip and use it to post on the mat. Sit up quickly, maintaining control of their ankle, and drive forward to secure top position, aiming for half guard or mount depending on their reaction.
  7. 7
    Stabilize Top Position
    Establish a strong base by controlling their hips or posting your hands, freeing your trapped leg if necessary to progress to mount or solidify half guard top.

Key details most people miss

  • The sleeve/wrist grip must remain tight throughout to prevent the opponent from posting or retreating their arm.
  • Angle your hips outward before sweeping to maximize the reach and strength of your hook leg.
  • Your foot on the hip should push diagonally, not straight, to help rotate their weight over the swept leg.
  • Timing the sweep as they begin to posture or stand increases its effectiveness and reduces their ability to base.

Common mistakes

  • Failing to control the sleeve/wrist allows the opponent to post and block the sweep.
  • Not angling the hips results in a weak hook, making the sweep easy to counter or stuff.
  • Trying to sweep without breaking posture first gives the opponent a stable base.
  • Letting go of the ankle grip too soon allows the opponent to scramble back to their feet.

Counters & responses

They try: Opponent posts their free hand as you sweep
You do: Switch to a pendulum sweep or triangle attack using their posted arm as an entry point.
They try: Opponent steps their swept leg back quickly
You do: Transition to a single leg X-guard by threading your hook leg under their base and controlling their ankle.
They try: Opponent drops their weight low and sprawls hips back
You do: Use your hip escape to create further angle and attack a sit-up guard or arm drag.
They try: Opponent grips your pants or belt to anchor themselves
You do: Break their grip by circling your knee inside and stripping the grip before reattempting the sweep.

Drill prescription

5 rounds × 3 minutes; partner gives 40% resistance by attempting to posture or step back; goal is 5 clean sweeps per round with immediate top control established.

How the masters teach it

Videos are still being curated for this technique. AI suggests these instructors:
Marcelo Garcia — Emphasizes the use of the sickle sweep as a primary transition to single leg X and for seamless guard retention.Lucas Lepri — Focuses on precise sleeve and ankle grips, teaching the sweep as part of a tight closed guard system.Bernardo Faria — Integrates the sickle sweep into his over-arching half guard and closed guard game, stressing the importance of coming up to top immediately.Saulo Ribeiro — Highlights angle creation and timing, using the sweep as a fundamental tool for beginners and advanced alike.
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