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This website is about Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ). I'm a black belt who started in 2006, teaching and training at Artemis BJJ in Bristol, UK. All content ©Can Sönmez

14 July 2019

14/07/2019 - Teaching | Half Guard | Toe Grab Sweep (NoGi)

Teaching #887
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 14/07/2019

Short Version:
  • Get underhook, scooting down towards their legs
  • Reach under their non-trapped leg, grab their toes
  • Bring your other arm around their bum, transfer grip
  • Using your outside leg, drag their leg out
  • Turn and post on your elbow, drive, still holding toes, then move to side control



Full Version: I call this one the toe grab sweep, like Indrek Reiland does in his classic 'Functional Half Guard' video. Eddie Bravo's name for it - 'old school' - is common too, but his version is slightly less effective in my opinion, though it is similar. I prefer the way Jason Scully teaches it, over on the Grapplers Guide. I've also been taught it in the past, back when I was training at RGA High Wycombe with Kev.

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So, the Scully version begins from the basic half guard position I taught earlier, where you're on your side using the kickstand leg positioning, with an underhook. Use your underhook to bump yourself down closer to their legs, curling your head into towards their far knee. You want to get your underhook arm shoulder to their hipbone on that side, also getting your head to their same side hipbone.

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With your non-underhooking arm, reach for their far toes. Grab them and then shove their heel into their thigh. Make sure you are grabbing their toes: if you grip their ankle or higher, they will find it easier to kick their leg back and scupper your sweep. Bring your underhook arm down past their bum, then switch the toe grab grip from your non-underhook hand to your underhook hand.

Bring your non-underhook elbow and then hand out for base, also turning to slide out your inside leg. Your outside leg tweaks their lower leg to further disrupt their base, then drive with your head and shoulder to move on top. Keep hold of the toes until you're past to side control. If they stay on their hands and knees, you can also just take their back instead.

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Keep in mind that it is possible to get this sweep with various leg configurations. I find it easiest from the kickstand, as I think that provides the best base for getting on your side, but it's certainly not the only option.

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Teaching Notes: All good, I think. Head to hipbone and underhook shoulder to hipbone helps. Make sure to come up on your elbow to drive, also don't let go of the toes. I added in the Kenny Polmans big step when you start going behind for side control, that is worth playing with some more.

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