BJJ Graph

Heel Grab Sweep

Jun 15, 202510 min read

Heel Grab Sweep

bjjtransitionsweepopen_guarddynamic

Required Properties for State Machine

Core Identifiers

  • Transition ID: T053
  • Transition Name: Heel Grab Sweep
  • Alternative Names: De La Riva Heel Sweep, Ankle Grab Sweep

State Machine Properties

Transition Properties

  • Success Probability: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 75% - core probability data
  • Execution Complexity: Medium - requires timing and coordination
  • Energy Cost: Medium - demands controlled explosive movement
  • Risk Level: Low to Medium - potential for position loss if mistimed
  • Execution Speed: Medium to Fast - must be executed with intent to catch opponent

Physical Requirements

  • Strength Requirements: Medium for pulling and lifting opponent
  • Flexibility Requirements: Medium for hip movement and leg positioning
  • Coordination Requirements: High for timing grip, leg control, and sweep
  • Speed Requirements: Medium for quick execution to prevent counters

State Machine Content Elements

Visual Execution Sequence

Detailed step-by-step description for clear movement sequence visualization:

From an open guard or De La Riva guard position, you are on your back with your legs actively controlling the opponent’s legs, typically with one foot on their hip and the other hooked behind their far leg or ankle, while maintaining a grip on their near ankle or heel with your hand. As the opponent attempts to pass your guard or advance, you use their forward momentum against them by pulling on their heel to off-balance them, simultaneously pushing with your foot on their hip to create a lever effect. You then shift your hips to the side, aligning your body perpendicular to theirs, and pull their heel across your body while driving your hooked leg down to disrupt their base further. Using your core and legs, you roll them over by pulling their upper body down with your free hand or sleeve grip, flipping them onto their back. Immediately after the sweep, you follow through by coming up on top, establishing a dominant position such as side control or mount, securing control with chest pressure and arm isolation to prevent their escape.

Template: “From open guard or De La Riva, control opponent’s legs with feet on hip and hooked behind far leg, gripping their near heel. Pull their heel and push with your hip foot to off-balance them, shift hips to the side, and pull heel across while driving hooked leg down. Roll them over by pulling their upper body, then come up on top into side control or mount, securing dominance.”

Execution Steps (Numbered Sequence)

  1. Setup Requirements: Establish open guard or De La Riva with leg control
  2. Initial Positioning: Place one foot on opponent’s hip, hook other behind far leg
  3. Grip Establishment: Secure grip on opponent’s near ankle or heel
  4. Opponent Response: Opponent attempts to pass or advance forward
  5. Off-Balance Initiation: Pull heel and push hip foot to disrupt their base
  6. Hip Adjustment: Shift hips sideways to align perpendicular to opponent
  7. Sweep Execution: Pull heel across, drive hooked leg down, roll opponent over
  8. Follow Through: Come up on top into side control or mount with control

Key Technical Details

Critical elements that determine success:

  • Heel Grip: Secure hold on opponent’s ankle or heel for control
  • Leg Leverage: Use foot on hip and hooked leg to create off-balancing lever
  • Hip Movement: Shift hips to side for optimal sweep angle
  • Timing: Execute as opponent advances or overcommits forward
  • Upper Body Control: Pull opponent’s upper body down to complete roll

Success Modifiers

Factors that increase/decrease probability:

  • Grip Quality: Strength and control of heel grip (+/-15%)
  • Opponent Momentum: Capitalizing on forward advance or pass attempt (+/-20%)
  • Timing Precision: Executing at the right moment of overcommitment (+/-15%)
  • Hip Angle: Proper sideways shift for sweep leverage (+/-10%)
  • Knowledge Test Performance: Understanding open guard sweep mechanics (+/-10%)

Counter-Attack Analysis

Common Counters

Opponent responses with success rates:

  • Base Defense: Widening base to resist sweep → Open Guard Top (Success Rate: 45%, Conditions: early recognition)
  • Posture Adjustment: Straightening posture to resist pull → Open Guard Top (Success Rate: 40%, Conditions: quick reaction)
  • Leg Withdrawal: Pulling leg back to break heel grip → Neutral Position (Success Rate: 35%, Conditions: fast adjustment)
  • Grip Break: Breaking heel grip before sweep initiation → Open Guard Top (Success Rate: 30%, Conditions: strong grip defense)

Format: [[Counter Technique]] → [[Result State]] (Success Rate: X%, Conditions: [when applicable])

Decision Logic

If [sweep setup] is recognized early:
- Execute [[Base Defense]] (Probability: 45%)

Else if [posture] can be corrected quickly:
- Execute [[Posture Adjustment]] (Probability: 40%)

Else if [leg control] can be broken:
- Attempt [[Leg Withdrawal]] (Probability: 35%)

Else [grip] is vulnerable:
- Attempt [[Grip Break]] (Probability: 30%)

Else [optimal execution]:
- Accept transition (Probability: Success Rate - Modifiers)

Educational Content

Expert Insights

Commentary as if from recognized authorities:

  • John Danaher: “The heel grab sweep is a fundamental technique in open guard systems, demonstrating the power of using an opponent’s momentum against them. The key lies in the precise coordination of the heel pull and hip push to create an unstoppable lever for the sweep. This move teaches critical concepts of off-balancing and kuzushi that apply to all guard sweeps.”
  • Gordon Ryan: “In competition, the heel grab sweep is highly effective because it catches opponents off-guard during their passing attempts. I use it to transition to top positions quickly, capitalizing on their forward pressure to score points. The technique shows how open guard can be a dynamic platform for reversals.”
  • Eddie Bravo: “Heel grab sweep integrates seamlessly with modern guard games and can be chained with other sweeps or submissions if it fails. It often surprises opponents who aren’t expecting a sudden reversal from open guard, creating scramble opportunities. This move highlights how traditional sweeps can be adapted for creative no-gi applications.”

Each insight should focus on one key technical or strategic element.

Common Errors

For knowledge test generation:

  • Error: Mistiming the heel pull and hip push

  • Why It Fails: Allows opponent to maintain balance and resist sweep

  • Correction: Wait for opponent’s forward movement before initiating pull and push

  • Recognition: Opponent stays upright or easily steps over during attempt

  • Error: Insufficient grip on heel or ankle

  • Why It Fails: Fails to off-balance opponent effectively for the sweep

  • Correction: Secure a strong grip on heel or ankle before pulling

  • Recognition: Opponent easily pulls leg back or breaks grip

  • Error: Poor hip alignment or angle

  • Why It Fails: Reduces leverage, making sweep difficult to complete

  • Correction: Shift hips sideways to create perpendicular angle for roll

  • Recognition: Difficulty rolling opponent over or completing sweep

Timing Considerations

When to attempt this transition:

  • Optimal Conditions: When opponent advances forward or attempts guard pass
  • Avoid When: Opponent maintains strong defensive posture or wide base
  • Setup Sequences: After establishing open guard with leg and heel control
  • Follow-up Windows: Must complete sweep within 3-5 seconds to avoid counters

Prerequisites

Requirements before attempting:

  • Technical Skills: Understanding of open guard control and sweep mechanics
  • Physical Preparation: Hip mobility and core strength for sweep
  • Positional Understanding: Control points in open guard and De La Riva
  • Experience Level: Intermediate - requires timing and coordination

Technical Assessment Elements

Knowledge Assessment Questions

5 technical questions with multiple choice answers:

  • Mechanical Understanding: “What creates the leverage for heel grab sweep?”
  • Timing Recognition: “When is the optimal moment to initiate the sweep?”
  • Error Prevention: “What is the most common mistake in executing heel grab sweep?”
  • Setup Requirements: “Which controls are essential for off-balancing the opponent?”
  • Adaptation: “How do you adjust if the opponent resists the initial heel pull?”

Variants and Adaptations

Different versions for various scenarios:

  • Gi Specific: Using sleeve grips for additional upper body control
  • No-Gi Specific: Modified heel grip without gi assistance
  • Self-Defense: Quick application for reversals in real-world scenarios
  • Competition: Combination with other open guard sweeps for points
  • Size Differential: Effective against larger opponents with proper timing

Training Progressions

Skill development pathway:

  • Solo Practice: Hip shift and rolling motion without partner
  • Cooperative Drilling: Partner allows sweep for technique development
  • Resistant Practice: Partner provides progressive resistance to setup
  • Sparring Integration: Attempt during live rolling from open guard
  • Troubleshooting: Identify and correct issues with timing or grip control

Audio & Narration Elements

Action Descriptions

Dynamic language for TTS narration:

  • Movement Verbs: Pull, push, shift, roll, follow, secure
  • Spatial References: Heel grip, hip push, sideways angle
  • Pressure Dynamics: Off-balancing pull, lever effect, body weight
  • Momentum Descriptions: Quick sweep, controlled roll, dynamic finish

Coaching Commentary

Real-time instruction and feedback:

  • Setup Cues: “Control their legs and grip their near heel securely”
  • Execution Guidance: “Pull their heel and push with your hip as they advance”
  • Adaptation Prompts: “Shift your hips more if they resist, then roll them over”
  • Completion Confirmation: “Follow through to land on top and secure control”

Technical Specifications

Animation Keyframes

For potential visual development:

  • Starting Position: Open guard with heel grip and leg control
  • Transition Points: Heel pull, hip push, hip shift, roll over
  • Finishing Position: Top position after sweep (side control or mount)
  • Alternative Outcomes: Failed attempt leading to guard retention or scramble

Biomechanical Analysis

Scientific movement breakdown:

  • Force Vectors: Pulling force on heel, pushing with hip foot
  • Leverage Ratios: Leg and hip as fulcrum for opponent’s body weight
  • Range of Motion: Hip and torso rotation for sweep
  • Power Generation: Core and leg strength for controlled roll

Validation Checklist

Every transition file must include:

  • All required properties with specific numeric values
  • Detailed visual execution sequence (minimum 4 sentences)
  • Complete numbered execution steps (minimum 6 steps)
  • At least 3 common counters with success rates
  • Decision logic for opponent behavior
  • Expert insights from all three authorities
  • Minimum 3 common errors with corrections
  • 5 knowledge test questions with answers
  • Timing considerations and prerequisites
  • Training progression pathway

Example Implementation

See Hip Bump Sweep for a complete example implementing all standard requirements.

Notes for Developers

This standard ensures:

  • Consistent transition data for state machine implementation
  • Probability calculations with modifier systems
  • Rich content for comprehensive technical documentation
  • Educational value through expert analysis
  • Technical depth for authentic understanding
  • Structured decision analysis patterns
  • Knowledge assessment integration
  • Training progression guidance

Updates to this standard should be reflected across all transition files to maintain consistency and educational value.

  • De La Riva Sweep - Similar open guard sweep with different mechanics
  • Tripod Sweep - Alternative open guard sweep option
  • Open Guard Bottom - Common starting point for this transition
  • Guard Retention - Fallback option if sweep fails

Competition Applications

  • IBJJF Rules: Legal at all belt levels, scores as sweep (2 points)
  • No-Gi Competition: Effective with modified grip setups
  • Self-Defense: Useful for reversing position in ground scenarios
  • MMA Applications: Applicable with adjustments for striking defense

Historical Context

Heel grab sweep is a modern adaptation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, often used within De La Riva and open guard systems, showcasing the evolution of dynamic guard play. It highlights BJJ’s focus on using leverage and timing for effective reversals in competition.

Safety Considerations

  • Controlled Roll: Execute sweep with control to avoid injuring opponent
  • Personal Safety: Be prepared to adjust if sweep fails
  • Partner Communication: Ensure opponent is ready for dynamic movement
  • Training Environment: Use in controlled settings with proper mats

Position Integration

Common heel grab sweep combinations:

Training Applications

  • Guard Development: Essential for open guard sweep arsenal in competition
  • Competition Preparation: High-percentage move for scoring points
  • Control Training: Builds skills in manipulating opponent’s balance
  • Dynamic Attack: Encourages fluid and explosive transitions

Graph View

Backlinks