Elevator Sweep

The Elevator Sweep is a fundamental butterfly guard technique that uses both hooks and upper body control to lift and sweep the opponent. This sweep capitalizes on the mechanical advantage created by the butterfly hooks positioned on the opponent’s inner thighs, combined with an overhook or underhook grip that controls their upper body. When executed properly, the practitioner uses their legs like an elevator to lift the opponent while simultaneously pulling them off balance with the upper body grip, resulting in a clean reversal to mount or top position.

The elevator sweep is particularly effective against opponents who are sitting heavy in your butterfly guard or attempting to pass with forward pressure. Unlike some butterfly sweeps that rely purely on timing and off-balancing, the elevator sweep provides a more forceful, mechanical advantage through the coordinated lifting action of both hooks. This makes it an excellent choice for practitioners who may not have perfect timing but possess good hip mobility and leg strength.

Strategically, the elevator sweep serves as a cornerstone technique in the butterfly guard system, working in combination with other butterfly attacks like the basic butterfly sweep, arm drag to back takes, and guillotine attacks. The threat of the elevator sweep forces opponents to adjust their base and posture, creating opportunities for these complementary techniques. Mastering this sweep is essential for anyone looking to develop a dangerous butterfly guard game.

Starting Position: Butterfly Guard Ending Position: Mount Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%

Key Principles

• Maintain active butterfly hooks on both inner thighs for maximum elevation
• Secure a strong overhook or underhook to control opponent’s upper body
• Keep your head close to opponent’s chest to prevent them from posting
• Lift with both hooks simultaneously while pulling with upper body grip
• Create an angle by turning slightly toward the overhook side
• Drive your hips forward and up to generate maximum lifting power
• Follow through the sweep completely to land in dominant mount position

Prerequisites

• Butterfly guard established with both hooks inserted on opponent’s inner thighs
• Strong overhook secured on one side, controlling opponent’s arm
• Opponent’s weight is forward or centered (not posting back)
• Head positioned tight to opponent’s chest to prevent base recovery
• Grips established on opponent’s gi or controlling their posture
• Hip mobility to allow full elevation and extension of hooks

Execution Steps

1. Establish butterfly guard control: Sit up in butterfly guard with both feet inserted as hooks on the inside of opponent’s thighs, knees wide. Your back should be upright, not lying flat. Ensure hooks are deep enough that your feet can lift their hips. Keep your weight centered and mobile, ready to adjust. (Timing: Initial position - maintain continuous hook pressure)
2. Secure the overhook grip: Swim your arm over one of opponent’s arms to establish a deep overhook, controlling their shoulder and upper back. Your overhook hand should grip their lat or back of gi. Simultaneously, your other hand grips their opposite sleeve, collar, or establishes an underhook. Pull them close to break their posture and prevent posting. (Timing: Before initiating sweep - grip must be tight)
3. Position your head: Bring your head tight to opponent’s chest on the overhook side, with your ear against their sternum. This head position prevents them from creating space and posting with the overhooked arm. Keep your chin tucked to protect against guillotine counters. Your forehead should drive into their body. (Timing: Immediately after securing overhook)
4. Create the angle: Shift your hips slightly toward the overhook side, creating a 15-20 degree angle. This angle is crucial because it allows you to sweep in the direction where opponent has less base. Your shoulder on the overhook side should be slightly lower than your other shoulder. Maintain tight connection with your hooks. (Timing: Just before lifting - quick adjustment)
5. Lift with both hooks simultaneously: Explosively extend both legs upward and forward, using your hooks to lift opponent’s hips off the ground. The lifting motion should feel like an elevator rising - straight up with equal force from both hooks. Keep your core tight and drive your hips slightly forward to add power. Your hooks should flex at the ankles, pulling their inner thighs up. (Timing: Explosive lift - coordinate with pull)
6. Pull with upper body grips: As you lift with your hooks, simultaneously pull hard with your overhook, rotating their upper body toward you and over the side you’re sweeping to. Your other grip pulls their far side toward you, completing the rotation. Think of this as a steering wheel turning in the direction of the sweep. Keep your head tight throughout. (Timing: Synchronized with hook lift)
7. Drive through and come up: Continue the lifting and pulling motion until opponent’s weight passes the tipping point and they begin to fall. As they go over, immediately drive forward with your hips and come up on your knees. Don’t let them recover guard - maintain forward pressure and follow their body all the way to the mat. (Timing: Continuous drive - no pause)
8. Establish mount position: As opponent lands on their back, quickly step your inside leg (overhook side) over their body to establish mount. Your hooks naturally release as you transition. Keep heavy pressure on their chest, maintain the overhook control, and settle your weight into a stable high mount position. Secure position before attacking submissions. (Timing: Immediate follow-up - don’t allow recovery)

Opponent Counters

• Opponent posts far arm to the mat to block the sweep (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Switch to arm drag on the posting arm, transitioning to back take or alternative sweep direction. Alternatively, trap the posting arm with your leg and continue the elevator sweep.
• Opponent sprawls and bases back heavily, removing forward pressure (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Immediately transition to shin-to-shin guard or single leg X guard as they sit back. You can also follow them backward into deep half guard or attempt a forward roll sweep if they overcommit backward.
• Opponent whizzers your overhook, preventing the sweep rotation (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Use the whizzer against them by switching to a shoulder lock attack or rolling under for an electric chair position. The whizzer actually limits their mobility and creates submission opportunities.
• Opponent drives crossface on non-overhook side (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Accept the crossface but secure deep underhook on opposite side. Adjust angle more dramatically and sweep to the underhook side instead. The crossface actually loads their weight forward, making the sweep easier if you adapt the angle.
• Opponent locks their hands together in front of your chest, creating frame (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Break their grip by expanding your chest and driving your head forward. Alternatively, switch to a different butterfly sweep variation like the basic butterfly sweep or arm drag to back. Their locked hands leave them vulnerable to wrist locks as well.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Lying back flat instead of sitting upright during setup
  • Consequence: Eliminates the ability to generate upward lifting power with hooks and makes it easy for opponent to stack you or pass around your guard
  • Correction: Maintain an upright seated posture throughout the technique. Your back should be at approximately 60-75 degrees from the mat, allowing your core and legs to work together for maximum lift. Think of sitting tall rather than lying back.
• Mistake: Lifting with only one hook or uneven hook pressure
  • Consequence: Opponent can base out to the side with the weak hook, completely stopping the sweep and potentially passing your guard
  • Correction: Consciously engage both hooks equally and simultaneously. Practice the lifting motion in drilling to ensure both legs extend with equal force. Your hooks should feel symmetrical, like pistons firing together.
• Mistake: Pulling with arms but not lifting with legs (or vice versa)
  • Consequence: Sweep lacks power and opponent can easily defend by posting or maintaining their base. Half-hearted attempts waste energy and telegraph your intentions
  • Correction: Coordinate the hook lift and arm pull as one unified explosive movement. Think of it as a simultaneous push-pull action - legs push up while arms pull down and rotate. Practice the timing until it becomes one smooth motion.
• Mistake: Keeping head away from opponent’s chest, creating space
  • Consequence: Opponent can easily post with the overhooked arm, regain posture, and shut down the sweep before it begins. Space allows them to generate countering force
  • Correction: Drive your head tight into their chest on the overhook side immediately after securing the grip. Your ear should be against their sternum. This connection is non-negotiable - no space means no posting opportunity.
• Mistake: Sweeping straight back instead of to the angle
  • Consequence: Opponent has equal base in all directions and can easily defend the sweep. You’re attacking their strongest defensive position rather than their weakness
  • Correction: Always create a 15-20 degree angle before lifting, sweeping toward the overhook side. This attacks the corner of their base where they’re weakest. Practice identifying the angle in drilling until it becomes automatic.
• Mistake: Not following through completely after opponent starts to fall
  • Consequence: Opponent can recover half guard or prevent mount, turning your successful sweep into a scramble. You lose the positional advantage you’ve worked to create
  • Correction: Commit fully to the sweep - once opponent’s weight tips, drive hard and follow their body all the way to the ground. Think ‘finish the sweep’ not just ‘start the sweep.’ Keep forward pressure until you’re fully established in mount.
• Mistake: Releasing hooks too early during the sweep
  • Consequence: Opponent can post or recover before being fully swept, resulting in a failed technique or scramble position
  • Correction: Maintain active hook pressure throughout the entire sweeping motion until opponent’s back hits the mat. Only release hooks as you step into mount. The hooks are your primary lifting mechanism - keep them engaged until the job is complete.

Training Progressions

Phase 1: Fundamental Mechanics (Weeks 1-2) - Basic hook insertion, overhook control, and lifting motion Partner sits in your butterfly guard offering no resistance. Practice inserting hooks deeply, securing overhook, and executing the basic lifting motion without opposition. Focus on the feeling of both hooks lifting equally and the coordination of the pull. Perform 20-30 repetitions per training session, alternating sides. Partner provides feedback on hook depth and lifting power. (Resistance: None)

Phase 2: Positional Drilling (Weeks 3-4) - Adding timing, angle creation, and controlled sweep completion Partner provides light resistance by maintaining base but not actively defending. Practice recognizing when opponent’s weight is forward enough to sweep, creating the proper angle, and executing the coordinated lift-and-pull motion. Work on following through to mount without scrambling. Aim for 15-20 controlled repetitions per side with focus on smooth execution. (Resistance: Light)

Phase 3: Defense Integration (Weeks 5-8) - Dealing with common counters and defensive reactions Partner actively defends with specific counters - posting, whizzering, sprawling, or crossfacing. Practice recognizing each counter and implementing the appropriate response. Work one counter at a time for 5-10 repetitions, then mix counters randomly. This phase builds real-time problem-solving skills and sweep adaptation. (Resistance: Medium)

Phase 4: Live Drilling (Weeks 9-12) - Sweep execution against full resistance from butterfly guard Start in butterfly guard with partner attempting realistic passes. Execute elevator sweep against full resistance, using proper setups, grip fighting, and timing. Partner defends intelligently but allows successful sweep when technique is correct. Progress to 5-minute rounds of butterfly guard-specific sparring where elevator sweep is primary attack. Combine with other butterfly techniques. (Resistance: Full)

Phase 5: Competition Timing (Weeks 13+) - Sweep execution in live rolling and competition scenarios Implement elevator sweep during normal sparring with no artificial setups. Focus on creating opportunities through grip fighting, threatening other attacks, and recognizing optimal moments. Practice against various body types, skill levels, and opponent strategies. Film rolls and review to identify successful setup patterns and areas for refinement. (Resistance: Full)

Phase 6: System Integration (Ongoing) - Combining elevator sweep with complete butterfly guard system Develop a comprehensive butterfly guard game where elevator sweep works in combination with arm drags, guillotines, basic butterfly sweeps, and transitions to other guards. Practice flowing between techniques based on opponent reactions. Study high-level competitors who use butterfly guard effectively and incorporate their concepts. Elevator sweep becomes one tool in a complete system. (Resistance: Full)

Variations

Double Underhook Elevator Sweep: Instead of overhook, secure double underhooks on opponent’s arms, controlling their upper body with both arms under theirs. Lift with hooks while driving forward and up with your chest and head, keeping their arms trapped. This variation offers more control but requires opponent to give up both underhooks. (When to use: When opponent overcommits to grips on your lapels or belt, leaving underhooks available. Particularly effective in gi when opponent is grip-heavy and less mobile.)

Single Hook Elevator Sweep: Use only one hook (on the overhook side) for elevation while the other leg posts on the mat for base and drive. This creates a more angled, powerful sweep but requires precise timing. The posting leg drives hard while the hook lifts, creating a scissoring action that rotates opponent over. (When to use: When opponent has removed one of your hooks or when you need extra driving power against a larger opponent. Also useful when transitioning from other guard positions where only one hook is available.)

Elevator Sweep to Side Control: Instead of completing the sweep to mount, sweep opponent to their side and immediately establish side control. As you execute the elevator sweep, turn your body perpendicular to theirs during the rotation, landing in a crossbody position. This variation offers better control against explosive opponents who might escape mount. (When to use: Against opponents known to be dangerous from bottom mount or when you have a stronger side control game than mount game. Also useful when opponent is larger and mount may be difficult to maintain.)

No-Gi Elevator Sweep with Seatbelt Grip: In no-gi, replace the overhook gi grip with a seatbelt configuration - one arm over shoulder, one arm under armpit, hands locked together. The mechanics remain the same but the grip provides even tighter upper body control. Head positioning becomes even more critical without gi grips to control distance. (When to use: All no-gi situations where butterfly guard is established. The seatbelt grip is the no-gi equivalent of the overhook and provides excellent control for the sweep.)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: Why is it essential to maintain an upright seated posture rather than lying back during the elevator sweep setup? A: An upright posture is critical because it allows you to generate upward lifting force with your hooks and core muscles. When lying back, you lose the mechanical advantage of your legs and core working together, making it nearly impossible to lift opponent’s weight effectively. The upright position also keeps your weight mobile and makes it easier to create angles, adjust grips, and transition if needed. Additionally, sitting up prevents opponent from easily stacking or flattening you, which would completely shut down the sweep.

Q2: What is the purpose of creating a 15-20 degree angle before executing the elevator sweep, and which direction should this angle face? A: The angle is created toward the overhook side and serves to attack the corner of opponent’s base rather than their strongest frontal base. When you sweep straight back, opponent can defend equally in all directions. By creating the angle, you’re attacking where they have the least stability - the corner created by the overhook control. This angle also aligns your lifting force with the direction of the sweep, making the technique more efficient. The angle essentially loads more of their weight onto the side you’re sweeping to, making it harder for them to post or recover.

Q3: How should you coordinate the hook lift and upper body pull during the sweep execution, and why is this coordination important? A: The hook lift and upper body pull must occur simultaneously as one unified explosive movement - legs push up and extend while arms pull down and rotate in the sweep direction. This coordination is essential because each component alone is insufficient. If you only pull with arms, opponent can base with their legs. If you only lift with hooks, they can post with arms or counterbalance with upper body. The simultaneous action overwhelms their ability to defend both components at once, creating an irresistible force that completes the sweep. Think of it as a push-pull mechanism working in perfect synchronization.

Q4: If opponent whizzers your overhook as you attempt the elevator sweep, what are two effective responses you can use? A: First, you can use the whizzer against them by transitioning to a shoulder lock attack. The whizzer actually puts their shoulder in a vulnerable position if you control their wrist and apply pressure. Second, you can roll under their whizzer into an electric chair position, where their whizzer becomes trapped and you threaten both sweeps and submissions. The key insight is that the whizzer, while preventing the original sweep direction, actually limits opponent’s mobility and creates new attacking opportunities. A third option is to switch your sweep direction entirely, using an underhook on the opposite side to sweep the other way.

Q5: Why is head position against opponent’s chest critical for elevator sweep success, and what specifically does it prevent? A: Tight head position against opponent’s chest on the overhook side prevents them from posting with the overhooked arm, which is the most common and effective defense against this sweep. When your head creates pressure and connection, opponent cannot extend or post that arm to create base. The head position also prevents them from creating any space to generate counterforce or adjust their posture. Additionally, keeping your head tight makes it harder for them to apply a crossface or create angles for passing your guard. The ear-to-sternum connection is the insurance policy that makes your grips and hooks effective.

Q6: What is the primary difference between the elevator sweep and the basic butterfly sweep in terms of mechanics and when each is most effective? A: The elevator sweep emphasizes forceful, mechanical lifting with both hooks simultaneously, combined with overhook control, making it effective against heavier, more static opponents who are sitting into your guard. The basic butterfly sweep relies more on timing, angles, and off-balancing, often using opponent’s momentum and typically sweeping to the underhook side. The elevator sweep is more of a power technique that works when opponent is relatively stationary, while the basic butterfly sweep capitalizes on movement and weight shifts. Elevator sweep is ideal when opponent is heavy and forward but not moving much, while basic butterfly sweep works better when they’re mobile or attempting to pass.

Q7: How should you maintain hook engagement throughout the sweep, and at what point should the hooks be released? A: Hooks should remain actively engaged with flexed ankles and steady pressure on opponent’s inner thighs throughout the entire sweeping motion until their back hits the mat. The hooks are your primary lifting and controlling mechanism, so releasing them early allows opponent to post, recover base, or prevent the sweep from completing. Only release the hooks as you transition into mount - specifically as you step your leg over their body. Think of the hooks as staying ‘on duty’ until the sweep is completely finished and you’re establishing the top position. Early release is one of the most common reasons elevator sweeps fail in live training.

Safety Considerations

The elevator sweep is generally a safe technique for both practitioners when executed properly, but several precautions should be observed. When drilling, the person being swept should be prepared to break fall appropriately, as the sweep can generate significant rotational force and speed. Beginners should start with slow, controlled repetitions to develop proper mechanics before adding explosive power. Partners should communicate about knee sensitivity, as the hooks can cause discomfort for those with knee issues - in such cases, reduce hook pressure or use alternative guards. When practicing the variation that lands in mount, the sweeping practitioner should control the landing to avoid dropping full body weight onto partner’s ribs or torso. In live training, be mindful of your training partner’s size - extremely large weight differentials may require modified application. If opponent attempts to guillotine during the sweep setup, immediately defend the neck before continuing the technique. Finally, when drilling the whizzer counter responses (shoulder locks), practice these slowly and tap early as shoulder submissions can occur quickly and cause injury if applied with full force.

Position Integration

The elevator sweep is a cornerstone technique within the butterfly guard system and serves as a central hub for numerous attacks and transitions. In the broader positional hierarchy, butterfly guard functions as a dynamic open guard position that bridges the gap between seated guards and more active scrambling positions. The elevator sweep specifically integrates with the guard retention and sweeping aspects of BJJ’s defensive bottom game, providing a reliable method to reverse position when opponent is applying forward pressure.

Within the butterfly guard system itself, the elevator sweep works in perfect combination with several complementary techniques. The arm drag to back take creates a natural pairing - if opponent defends the elevator sweep by posting their far arm, you can immediately transition to dragging that arm and taking the back. Similarly, the guillotine attack from butterfly guard becomes available when opponent drops their head to defend the sweep, creating a high-percentage submission entry. The basic butterfly sweep to the opposite side serves as an excellent alternative when opponent overcommits to defending the elevator sweep direction.

The elevator sweep also connects to other guard systems through natural transitions. When opponent sprawls heavily to defend the elevator sweep, you can transition to single leg X-guard or shin-to-shin guard, maintaining bottom control while changing the attack angle. If they sit back completely, deep half guard becomes immediately available. These transitions ensure that a failed elevator sweep attempt doesn’t result in lost position but rather flows into the next guard position or attack.

From a strategic perspective, the elevator sweep forces opponents to make defensive choices that create opportunities elsewhere. Defending the elevator sweep typically requires opponent to either post arms, whizzer, or shift their weight backward - each of these reactions opens different attacks. This creates a true dilemma where no defensive choice is fully safe. Advanced practitioners use the threat of the elevator sweep as a constant pressure point, forcing reactions that set up their actual intended attacks, whether sweeps, submissions, or back takes.

Related Techniques

• Basic Butterfly Sweep - Complementary technique - sweep to opposite side when elevator sweep is defended
• Butterfly Sweep Variations - Technical family - shares core principles and setups
• Arm Drag to Back - Follow-up technique - use when opponent posts to defend elevator sweep
• Guillotine Choke - Submission setup - available when opponent lowers head to defend sweep
• Single Leg X Entry - Transition option - enter when opponent sprawls to defend elevator sweep
• Hook Sweep - Alternative sweep - similar mechanics with different grip configuration
• Butterfly Guard to X-Guard - Position transition - natural progression when elevator sweep is denied
• Kimura from Guard - Submission alternative - attack when opponent overposts to defend sweep
• Deep Half Entry - Bail-out position - available when opponent sits back heavily

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The elevator sweep represents a perfect example of mechanical advantage overcoming strength and size disadvantages in grappling. The technique’s power derives from the biomechanical principle of leverage combined with bilateral symmetry - both hooks working in concert create exponentially more force than either could produce alone. The critical element that most practitioners miss is the necessity of maintaining an upright posture throughout execution. When you sit upright, your core musculature can engage properly, your hooks can generate vertical force vectors, and your upper body grips can apply rotational torque efficiently. The moment you lie back, you sacrifice all three mechanical advantages and reduce the technique to arm strength alone, which is inevitably insufficient. Additionally, understand that the elevator sweep is not primarily about explosive power but about systematic removal of opponent’s defensive structures - first you remove their posting ability through head position and overhook control, then you remove their base through angled attack, and finally you remove their remaining stability through coordinated lift and pull. Each element must be present and properly sequenced for optimal results. Study the technique as a system of controls and mechanical advantages rather than as a single explosive movement.
• Gordon Ryan: In competition, the elevator sweep is one of my highest percentage butterfly guard attacks because it works against both passive and aggressive opponents. When opponents sit heavy in your guard trying to shut down your movement, the elevator sweep punishes that static defense with pure mechanical lifting power. When they’re trying to pass actively, the sweep capitalizes on their forward pressure and momentum. The key to making this sweep work at the highest levels is understanding that it’s rarely the first move - it’s almost always set up by threatening something else first. I’ll threaten an arm drag or guillotine to get them thinking about their arms and head, then when they react to those threats, the elevator sweep becomes wide open. Against elite grapplers, you also need to be prepared to chain multiple sweeps together. If they defend the elevator sweep well, I’m immediately flowing to basic butterfly sweep the other direction, or transitioning to single leg X-guard if they pull back. The other crucial detail is finishing position - I always aim to land in high mount or immediately transition to back control rather than settling for basic mount. The elevator sweep generates enough momentum and positional advantage that you should capitalize fully by securing the most dominant position possible. Don’t waste a successful sweep by accepting a mediocre top position.
• Eddie Bravo: The elevator sweep is sick from butterfly guard, but where it really gets interesting is when you start combining it with the 10th Planet system, particularly the lockdown and electric chair positions. When someone whizzers your overhook during the elevator sweep attempt - which happens all the time - that’s actually a gift because now you can roll under into the electric chair and you’ve got them in a serious dilemma. Their whizzer becomes their prison. I also love hitting the elevator sweep as a transition from other positions, not just static butterfly guard. When you’re coming up from deep half or transitioning from rubber guard, opponents aren’t expecting the elevator sweep mechanics to suddenly appear, so they’re not prepared to defend it. Another innovation we use is combining the elevator sweep with the twister side control system - when you complete the sweep, instead of going to mount, you immediately transition to twister side control where their near arm is trapped and you’ve got the truck position available. The beauty of the elevator sweep in the 10th Planet system is that it forces opponent to choose between getting swept and giving up the back or the electric chair, and all three outcomes are dominant positions for you. That’s the kind of dilemma-based grappling that wins matches. Don’t just do the elevator sweep the traditional way - experiment with how it connects to your entire submission system and guard game.