Lumberjack Sweep
Sweep
The Lumberjack Sweep is a powerful sweep where the bottom player grabs both of the opponent's ankles or pants at the calves, pulls their feet out from under them while hip-escaping or bridging, and follows them to mount. It is effective when the opponent stands or posts up in the bottom player's guard, exposing their legs to be grabbed.
Quick Reference
Key principles
- · The sweep depends on removing the opponent's base by pulling both feet toward you simultaneously while displacing their upper body with your hips or knees.
- · Timing is critical—attack the moment the opponent stands, posts, or shifts weight forward, before they establish a stable base.
- · Grip both ankles or pant legs tightly at calf level to maximize leverage and prevent the opponent from stepping out.
- · If the opponent resists by widening their base, transition to other open guard attacks like a tripod sweep or single-leg.
- · Follow through immediately by climbing to mount as the opponent falls; hesitation allows them to recover guard or turtle.
Execution
- 1 When the opponent stands or postures up in your guard, open your guard and grab both of their ankles or pant cuffs firmly with your hands.
- 2 Place your feet on their hips or biceps to create a frame and control distance while maintaining your grips.
- 3 Simultaneously pull their ankles toward you and push with your feet to off-balance them backward, chopping them down like a falling tree.
- 4 As they fall to their back, immediately follow by coming up on top, stepping over or sliding into full mount.
- 5 Secure mount position by establishing heavy hips and controlling their upper body before they can bridge or escape.
Common mistakes
- × Pulling the ankles without using the feet on hips to push—this gives the opponent time to posture back up or step over your legs.
- × Releasing grips too early after the sweep lands, allowing the opponent to turtle or create a scramble instead of conceding mount.
- × Attempting the sweep when the opponent has a low, wide base rather than waiting for them to stand tall, resulting in a failed attempt and lost guard position.
Do it from
Positions and situations where the Lumberjack Sweep shows up.
Closed Guard Bottom
2 less common
Knee Shield Half Guard Bottom
Seated Guard
Where it lands
The position you end up in.
Mount Top
