Lockdown Sweep

Sweep

The Lockdown Sweep is executed from half guard bottom using the lockdown leg configuration to off-balance and sweep the top player. It relies on stretching the opponent's trapped leg via the whip-down motion, then using an underhook and hip movement to come on top. It is particularly effective when the top player is driving forward with pressure.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · The whip-down (extending your hips while flexing the lockdown) stretches the opponent's leg and flattens their base.
  • · An underhook on the far side is essential to prevent the opponent from re-establishing crossface control and to create the turning angle.
  • · Timing the sweep when the opponent's weight shifts forward makes the reversal require minimal strength.
  • · If the opponent posts with their free hand, transition to Old School sweep or Electric Chair by feeding the far leg.
  • · Keeping your body turned on your side rather than flat on your back maximizes leverage during the sweep.

Execution

  1. 1 From half guard bottom, establish the lockdown by triangling your legs around the opponent's trapped leg with your outside foot hooking behind their ankle.
  2. 2 Perform the whip-down by driving your hips away while pulling their ankle toward you with the lockdown, flattening their base and creating space.
  3. 3 Use the space created to get on your side, secure an underhook on the far side, and grip around their back or lats.
  4. 4 Bridge into the opponent while simultaneously releasing the lockdown tension and driving forward with the underhook to sweep them over.
  5. 5 Follow through to top half guard or mount, immediately establishing chest-to-chest pressure and freeing your trapped leg.

Common mistakes

  • × Staying flat on your back during the sweep attempt, which gives the opponent the ability to maintain heavy crossface pressure and kill the underhook.
  • × Performing the whip-down without properly extending the hips, resulting in insufficient stretch on the opponent's leg and no real off-balancing effect.
  • × Releasing the lockdown too early before securing the underhook and bridge, allowing the opponent to recover their base and re-smash.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the Lockdown Sweep shows up.

Lockdown Bottom

Where it lands

The position you end up in.

Half Guard Top