Hook Sweep To Back Take

Executing a hook sweep to back take from half guard involves a series of movements that capitalize on the opponent's reactions. When the opponent's weight comes forward, initiate a hip shift and insert a hook to lift and off-balance them. If the opponent's head is low and their arm engaged, place the foot on the far hip and look for an arm lock.

If the opponent spins their shoulder down to defend, an omoplata is available, but there may be a better option if you still control the arm. Rotate the opponent's arm and catch their hip with your far foot, keeping your heel flexed. Place the other foot on the floor to perform a hip escape, dragging the opponent's hip down.

Immediately control the far shoulder to prevent escape. If the opponent's elbow is inside your body line, a submission is possible by pulling the shoulder towards you. If the elbow is outside your body line, transition to the back, where an immediate choke or control of the second arm may be available.

Be mindful of the elbow's position relative to your body. An elbow inside your body line can be dangerous if the opponent manages to turn and elevate their shoulder. To mitigate this risk, you can stuff the opponent's elbow to the mat, losing the submission opportunity but gaining strong back control with arm control.

From this position, you can either directly attack the neck or secure additional control by trapping the opponent's free arm before proceeding to the neck. The key to controlling the opponent is the exaggerated internal rotation of their arm, which makes it difficult for them to escape.

Throughout the sequence, it's crucial to anticipate the opponent's weight shifts and to use hip movement and foot placement to create opportunities for sweeps, submissions, or transitions to the back.