What is the optimal placement height for the hooking leg behind the opponent's far ankle?

The hook should be placed at mid-calf to Achilles tendon level, approximately four to six inches above the ankle bone. This height prevents the opponent from simply stepping over a low hook while providing sufficient leverage to sweep their base. Hooking too high on the shin reduces sweeping power because the lever arm shortens, while hooking at the foot allows easy escape by lifting.

Why is the collar grip more important than the sleeve grip for completing this sweep?

The collar grip provides the primary pulling force that breaks the opponent's posture and directs their weight toward the sweep direction. Without the collar pull, the leg mechanics alone rarely generate enough off-balancing force against a properly based opponent. The sleeve grip prevents posting but is secondary—many sweeps succeed with just the collar grip and good leg mechanics, but almost none succeed with just the sleeve grip and no upper body pull.

Your opponent steps their far foot back when they feel the hook attempt—how do you adjust?

Immediately transition to the tripod sweep by placing both feet back on the opponent's hips and using the collar grip to pull while grabbing their near ankle with your free hand. Their wide stance from stepping back actually makes the tripod sweep more effective because their base is elongated and vulnerable to the forward-backward off-balancing vector. This sickle-to-tripod combination is the fundamental two-sweep chain from feet on hips guard.

What is the most critical timing window for initiating the sickle sweep?

The optimal timing window occurs when the opponent shifts their weight forward, either to break your frames, establish grips on your legs, or initiate a passing sequence. This forward weight shift loads their far foot and makes them vulnerable to the lateral sweep because their momentum is already moving in a direction that complements the sweep angle. Attempting the sweep when the opponent is sitting back or disengaging has much lower success because they can absorb the sweep force by retreating.

How does the pushing foot contribute to the sweep beyond just creating distance?

The pushing foot on the hip serves three functions: it creates the lateral driving force that displaces the opponent's center of mass over their far foot, it serves as a fulcrum point around which the opponent rotates when the hook removes their base, and it provides the guard player with structural stability to execute the sweep from a strong mechanical position. Without the pushing foot, the hooking leg alone cannot generate sufficient rotational force because there is no opposing force to create the torque.

What grip adjustment should you make when the opponent's gi is slippery from sweat?

Secure a deeper collar grip by feeding your hand further behind the neck and gripping the material at the back of the collar rather than the front lapel. This deeper grip is less likely to slip and provides stronger pulling leverage. For the sleeve grip, grab the cuff material rather than the mid-sleeve, or switch to a wrist grip with your thumb inside for more secure control in slippery conditions.

Feet on Hips Sickle Sweep Attacker | BJJ Technique Guide

The Feet on Hips Sickle Sweep Attacker perspective focuses on executing one of the most reliable open guard sweeps in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As the guard player, you use the structural advantage of feet-on-hips framing to create a powerful lateral sweep by coordinating a pushing foot on the hip, a hooking leg behind the opponent’s far ankle, and upper body grip pulls through the collar. Success demands precise timing—the sweep works best when the opponent commits weight forward or attempts to break your frames, creating the momentary weight shift that makes the off-balancing irresistible. Understanding grip hierarchy, foot placement precision, and the kinetic chain from hip extension through the hooking leg determines whether this sweep generates competition-ending power or gets stuffed before it develops. The sweep rewards patience in setup combined with explosiveness in execution.

From Position: Feet on Hips Guard (Bottom)

Key Attacking Principles

What are the key principles for executing Feet on Hips Sickle Sweep?

Maintain one foot firmly on the opponent’s hip bone as the primary pushing frame throughout the entire sweep sequence to provide the lateral driving force
Drop the hooking leg behind the opponent’s far ankle at calf level, not at the foot, to prevent them from simply stepping over the hook
Coordinate the push-pull timing: extend the hip-foot to push while simultaneously pulling the collar grip in the sweep direction for maximum rotational force
Attack when the opponent’s weight shifts forward or laterally, exploiting the momentary base compromise rather than forcing the sweep against a balanced opponent
Use the hooking leg as a reaping motion that travels through the opponent’s base, not as a static block placed behind the ankle
Maintain collar grip connection throughout the sweep and follow-through to control the opponent’s rotation and ensure you land in a dominant top position

Prerequisites

What do you need before attempting Feet on Hips Sickle Sweep?

Established feet on hips guard with at least one foot solidly placed on the opponent’s hip bone providing a stable pushing frame
Same-side collar grip on the side where the hooking leg will sweep, deep enough to pull their weight and break their posture in the sweep direction
Opposite-side sleeve or wrist control to prevent the opponent from posting their hand when swept, which is the primary counter to the technique
Opponent standing or in elevated combat base with hips accessible for foot placement and weight distributed across both feet
Hip elevation maintained with active core engagement to enable the powerful leg extension and reaping motion needed for the sweep

Execution Steps

How do you execute Feet on Hips Sickle Sweep step by step?

Establish Grip Configuration: Secure a same-side collar grip with your right hand (if sweeping to your left) and control the opponent’s opposite sleeve with your left hand. The collar grip should be deep enough to pull their weight and posture toward you, while the sleeve grip prevents them from posting their hand when off-balanced. Fight for these grips aggressively before committing to the sweep setup.
Set the Pushing Foot: Place your left foot firmly on the opponent’s right hip bone, ensuring ball-of-foot contact on the anterior superior iliac spine landmark. This foot serves as your primary pushing frame and must maintain solid connection throughout the sweep to generate the lateral driving force that displaces their center of mass toward the sweep direction.
Drop the Hooking Leg: Lower your right foot from the opponent’s left hip and thread it behind their far left ankle at calf level. The hook should wrap around the Achilles tendon area with the back of your calf making contact against theirs. Do not place the hook too high on the shin or too low at the foot, as both positions reduce the sweeping power of the sickle motion.
Initiate the Off-Balance: Begin the sweep by extending your left leg forcefully into the opponent’s right hip while simultaneously pulling their upper body toward your right side with the collar grip. This combined push-pull creates a rotational force that shifts their weight over their left foot, loading the side you are about to sweep and compromising their ability to resist.
Execute the Sickle Motion: Drive your right hooking leg through in a powerful sickle motion, sweeping the opponent’s left foot out from under them in the direction you are pulling with your collar grip. The motion should travel laterally and slightly backward, removing their base on the far side while your pushing foot continues driving their mass over the swept leg to complete the off-balance.
Follow Through to Top Position: As the opponent falls, maintain your collar grip and immediately begin coming up to your knees by driving your hips forward. Follow their falling body by transitioning your weight over them as they land. Release the hook once they are falling and use that leg to base as you move into top position with your chest aimed at their torso.
Consolidate Side Control: Immediately establish crossface pressure with your forearm across their neck and drop your hips against their near hip to prevent guard recovery. Transition your grips from the sweep configuration to standard side control control points: crossface on the far side, hip block on the near side. Secure the position before the opponent can insert a knee or re-establish any guard frames.

Possible Outcomes

Result	Position	Probability
Success	Side Control	55%
Failure	Feet on Hips Guard	30%
Counter	Half Guard	15%

Opponent Counters

How might your opponent counter Feet on Hips Sickle Sweep?

Opponent steps their far foot back beyond the hook range before the sickle motion initiates (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Immediately switch to tripod sweep by placing both feet on hips and grabbing the near ankle, exploiting the wider stance they created by stepping back → Leads to Feet on Hips Guard
Opponent posts their free hand on the mat in the sweep direction to create a base point (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Increase pulling force on the sleeve grip to strip the posting hand, or transition to a triangle or armbar threat on the now-extended posting arm → Leads to Feet on Hips Guard
Opponent drops their base low and drives weight forward into your pushing foot to flatten your guard (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Use their forward pressure to load them onto your feet and switch to a balloon sweep or tomoe nage, converting their defensive forward pressure into sweep momentum → Leads to Feet on Hips Guard
Opponent grabs your hooking leg at the ankle or pant cuff to block the sickle motion entirely (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Retract the hooking leg and reset to feet on hips guard, then attack with a tripod sweep or switch the sickle to the opposite side if they overcommit grip to controlling one leg → Leads to Feet on Hips Guard

Common Attacking Mistakes

What mistakes should you avoid when executing Feet on Hips Sickle Sweep?

1. Dropping the hooking leg too early before establishing proper collar and sleeve grips

Consequence: Opponent recognizes the sweep telegraph and steps their far foot back or changes angle, eliminating the hook opportunity and potentially initiating a pass
Correction: Establish collar and sleeve grips first, confirm solid foot-on-hip connection, then drop the hooking leg as the final piece of the sweep setup sequence

2. Placing the hook at the opponent’s foot level instead of calf or Achilles level

Consequence: Opponent easily steps over the low hook, nullifying the sweep and potentially creating a passing opportunity as your guard is opened
Correction: Hook at mid-calf to Achilles tendon height where the opponent cannot simply lift their foot over the hook, ensuring the reaping motion captures their entire base

3. Pushing and hooking without coordinating upper body pull through the collar grip

Consequence: Opponent maintains upright posture despite leg mechanics, posting their hands to prevent the sweep or driving forward to pass your opened guard
Correction: Initiate the sweep with the collar pull first to break their posture toward the sweep direction, then add the push and hook as their weight shifts to maximize rotational force

4. Allowing hips to flatten to the mat during the sweep attempt

Consequence: Reduced pushing power through the hip foot and inability to generate sufficient rotational force, resulting in a weak sweep that is easily resisted
Correction: Maintain active hip elevation throughout the sweep using core engagement to keep the lower back curved and hips mobile for maximum leg extension power

5. Releasing the collar grip during the transition from sweep to top position

Consequence: Opponent rolls through the sweep momentum or recovers guard before you can establish side control, negating the positional advantage you earned
Correction: Maintain collar grip throughout the entire sweep and follow-through, using it to control their rotation and guide yourself into dominant top position before switching grips

6. Telegraphing the sweep by looking at the opponent’s far foot before dropping the hook

Consequence: Experienced opponents read the visual cue and preemptively retract or reposition the targeted foot before you can set the hook
Correction: Keep eyes on the opponent’s upper body and chest, using tactile sensitivity in your hooking leg to find the ankle without needing visual confirmation

Training Progressions

How do you train Feet on Hips Sickle Sweep (Attacker)?

Phase 1: Mechanics - Solo hip movement and leg coordination patterns Practice the push-hook coordination without a partner. Lying on your back, extend one leg while the other performs the sickle motion. Build the neuromuscular pattern of simultaneous pushing and sweeping. Add resistance bands for progressive loading on the hooking leg.

Phase 2: Partner Drilling - Complete sweep sequence with cooperative partner Drill the full sweep with a partner who provides minimal resistance, focusing on grip placement, timing of the hook drop, and the coordinated push-pull-sweep motion. Emphasize smooth transitions to side control after the sweep lands, including immediate crossface and hip control.

Phase 3: Combination Training - Sickle-tripod combination and chain attacks Partner defends the sickle sweep with common counters such as stepping back, posting a hand, or grabbing the hooking leg. Practice immediately transitioning to tripod sweep, balloon sweep, or guard transitions. Develop the ability to chain multiple sweep attempts without losing guard position.

Phase 4: Resistance Sparring - Applying the sweep against progressive resistance Begin with 50% resistance positional sparring from feet on hips guard with the goal of landing the sickle sweep or its combination follow-ups. Gradually increase resistance to full competition intensity over several sessions. Track success rates and identify which counters give you the most difficulty.

Phase 5: Competition Integration - Live application and timing refinement Incorporate the sickle sweep into free rolling, focusing on recognizing optimal timing windows during guard exchanges. Work on setting up the sweep from guard retention sequences and guard transitions. Develop the ability to hit the sweep against opponents who are focused on passing rather than defending sweeps.

Safety Considerations

What are the safety concerns for Feet on Hips Sickle Sweep?

The sickle sweep is a low-risk technique with minimal injury potential for both practitioners. The primary safety concern is controlling the opponent’s fall during the sweep to prevent them from landing awkwardly on their head, neck, or outstretched arm. When practicing, ensure the sweeping motion is controlled and gradual rather than explosive, allowing your partner to breakfall safely. Avoid applying excessive rotational force to the opponent’s knee through the hooking leg, and release the hook immediately once the sweep succeeds. In competition, be aware that sweeping near the mat edge creates collision risks.

Feet on Hips Sickle Sweep Attacker

Outcomes