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Hook Sweep | BJJ Technique | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202516 min read

Hook Sweep

bjjtransitionsweepbutterfly_guardfundamental

Visual Execution Sequence

From butterfly guard, you establish underhooks or arm control while maintaining your butterfly hooks under your opponent’s thighs. As they attempt to pass or establish their own grips, you pull them forward slightly to compromise their base while simultaneously lifting with your hooks. You then rotate your body toward the sweeping direction while extending your leg hook powerfully upward and forward. The combination of pulling, lifting, and rotating creates an irresistible off-balancing force that elevates and sweeps them to the side, allowing you to follow through into side control top position.

One-Sentence Summary: “From butterfly guard with underhooks and hooks in place, you pull forward while lifting with your hook and rotating your body, sweeping them to side control.”

Execution Steps

  1. Setup Requirements: Establish butterfly guard with hooks under opponent’s thighs, secure underhooks or collar grips for control
  2. Initial Movement: Pull opponent slightly forward to compromise their base and bring weight onto your hooks
  3. Opponent Response: Opponent typically attempts to maintain base by widening stance or posting hands
  4. Adaptation: Adjust sweeping direction based on where opponent’s weight is distributed and which side offers least resistance
  5. Completion: Lift powerfully with your hook while pulling with upper body and rotating toward sweep direction
  6. Consolidation: Follow through by coming up on top and establishing side control position with crossface and hip pressure

Key Technical Details

  • Grip Requirements: Strong underhooks or collar grips to pull opponent forward and control upper body, prevent them from posturing away
  • Base/Foundation: Sit on your tailbone with hooks actively engaged under opponent’s thighs, maintaining forward lean engagement
  • Timing Windows: Execute when opponent’s weight is slightly forward or when they attempt to pass, capitalizing on their momentum
  • Leverage Points: Hook creates elevator effect lifting opponent’s leg while pull brings their weight over the tipping point
  • Common Adjustments: Vary hook depth and pulling angle based on opponent’s defensive posture and weight distribution

Common Counters

Opponent defensive responses with success rates and conditions:

Decision Logic for AI Opponent

If [setup quality] < 50%:
- Execute [[Base Widening]] (Probability: 40%)

Else if [underhooks] are shallow or controlled:
- Execute [[Whizzer Control]] (Probability: 45%)

Else if [timing] telegraphed early:
- Execute [[Sprawl Defense]] (Probability: 50%)

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

Expert Insights

John Danaher

“The hook sweep is fundamentally about creating elevation through mechanical advantage. The butterfly hook functions as a lever - the longer the lever arm and the more effectively you can lift, the easier the sweep becomes. The key is understanding that the sweep requires coordination of three forces: the upward lift from the hook, the forward pull from the upper body grip, and the rotational momentum of your torso. When these three forces converge at the right moment, the sweep becomes nearly unstoppable.”

Gordon Ryan

“In competition, I use the hook sweep as a primary attacking weapon from butterfly guard. The technique is particularly effective when you can force the opponent to engage with you rather than maintain distance. I often set it up by threatening other attacks like the arm drag or guillotine, which brings them forward into the perfect position for the sweep. The immediate transition to side control gives you dominant position and scoring opportunities, making it extremely high-percentage in points-based competition.”

Eddie Bravo

“The hook sweep integrates beautifully with the 10th Planet system’s emphasis on dynamic guard play. From butterfly, you can chain this sweep with various other attacks - if they defend the hook sweep by posturing back, you can transition to X-guard or single leg X. If they try to pass around your hooks, you can switch to the arm drag to back take. The sweep itself is simple but becomes much more dangerous when it’s part of a larger offensive system rather than an isolated technique.”

Common Errors

Error 1: Attempting sweep without establishing proper grips first

  • Why It Fails: Without control of opponent’s upper body, they can easily posture away and neutralize your hooks
  • Correction: Always secure underhooks, collar grips, or sleeve control before initiating sweep motion
  • Recognition: Opponent maintains upright posture and easily prevents sweep by leaning back

Error 2: Lifting with hooks before pulling opponent forward

  • Why It Fails: If opponent’s weight is back on their heels, lifting alone cannot generate enough force to sweep them
  • Correction: Pull opponent forward first to bring their weight over your hooks, then lift
  • Recognition: Hook lift feels weak and opponent doesn’t elevate despite maximum effort

Error 3: Not rotating body during sweep execution

  • Why It Fails: Without rotational momentum, you lose power and direction, making sweep incomplete
  • Correction: As you lift with hooks and pull with arms, rotate your entire torso toward the sweeping direction
  • Recognition: Sweep stalls halfway through or opponent recovers balance before you can follow through

Error 4: Hooks positioned too shallow under opponent’s thighs

  • Why It Fails: Shallow hooks don’t provide sufficient leverage for lifting and are easily cleared
  • Correction: Insert hooks deep under opponent’s thighs, close to their center of mass
  • Recognition: Opponent easily removes your hooks or steps over them during sweep attempt

Error 5: Failing to follow through to top position immediately

  • Why It Fails: Delay allows opponent to recover guard or scramble to better position
  • Correction: Maintain grip contact and pressure as you come up, immediately establishing side control
  • Recognition: Successfully sweeping opponent but ending in scramble rather than dominant position

Timing Considerations

  • Optimal Conditions: When opponent leans forward to establish grips or pass, when their weight is on your hooks, after threatening other attacks that bring them forward
  • Avoid When: Opponent is postured back with weight on heels, when they have strong whizzer control, when your hooks are shallow or compromised
  • Setup Sequences: After threatening Arm Drag, after failed Guillotine Setup, when opponent defends X-Guard Entry
  • Follow-up Windows: Must complete sweep and establish side control within 2-3 seconds to prevent opponent recovery

Prerequisites

  • Technical Skills: Basic Butterfly Guard maintenance, understanding of underhook control, grip fighting fundamentals
  • Physical Preparation: Core strength for maintaining seated posture, leg strength for powerful hook lift, hip flexibility for hook placement
  • Positional Understanding: Butterfly guard mechanics, sweep principles, transition from guard to top position
  • Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate - fundamental sweep but requires coordination of multiple elements

Knowledge Assessment

  1. Mechanical Understanding: “What three forces must converge to make the hook sweep effective?”

    • A) Pushing, pulling, and turning
    • B) Lifting with hook, pulling with upper body, rotating torso
    • C) Hook lift, hip movement, and leg extension
    • D) Grip control, base break, and weight shift
    • Answer: B

  2. Timing Recognition: “When is the optimal moment to execute the hook sweep?”

    • A) When opponent is postured back with weight on heels
    • B) When you have no grips established
    • C) When opponent leans forward to engage or pass
    • D) When your hooks are shallow
    • Answer: C

  3. Error Prevention: “What is the most common sequencing error in this technique?”

    • A) Rotating too early
    • B) Lifting with hooks before pulling opponent forward
    • C) Pulling too hard
    • D) Following through too quickly
    • Answer: B

  4. Setup Requirements: “What grip control is essential for proper execution?”

    • A) Both hands on opponent’s collar
    • B) No grips needed
    • C) Underhooks, collar grips, or sleeve control
    • D) Pants grips only
    • Answer: C

  5. Adaptation: “How should you adjust if opponent defends with a whizzer?”

    • A) Force the sweep in the same direction
    • B) Switch to opposite side sweep or transition to different technique
    • C) Give up and reset guard
    • D) Pull harder with same grip
    • Answer: B

Variants and Adaptations

  • Gi Specific: Can utilize collar grips and sleeve control for additional pulling power and directional control
  • No-Gi Specific: Emphasis on underhooks and overhooks for upper body control, may use head control as alternative
  • Self-Defense: Modified version can work from seated position on ground in street altercation
  • Competition: Chain with other butterfly guard attacks for multiple threat system, highly effective for scoring sweeps
  • Size Differential: Smaller practitioners benefit from technical leverage advantage over larger opponents when properly executed

Training Progressions

  1. Solo Practice: Practice hook placement, sit-up motion, and rotation mechanics without partner to develop motor patterns
  2. Cooperative Drilling: Partner allows sweep completion while you focus on coordination of lifting, pulling, and rotating
  3. Resistant Practice: Partner provides progressive resistance to test timing and force application under pressure
  4. Sparring Integration: Implement sweep during live rolling, recognizing opportunities when opponent engages or passes
  5. Troubleshooting: Identify why sweep fails in live situations - usually grip problems, timing issues, or incomplete rotation

LLM Context Block

Purpose: This section contains structured decision-making logic for AI opponents, narrative generation, and game engine processing.

Execution Decision Logic

decision_tree:
  conditions:
    - name: "Setup Quality Check"
      evaluation: "setup_quality_score >= 50"
      success_action: "proceed_to_timing_check"
      failure_action: "execute_base_widening"
      failure_probability: 40
 
    - name: "Timing Precision Check"
      evaluation: "timing_window_active AND weight_forward"
      success_action: "proceed_to_grip_check"
      failure_action: "execute_sprawl_defense"
      failure_probability: 50
 
    - name: "Grip Control Check"
      evaluation: "underhooks_established OR collar_control_strong"
      success_action: "accept_transition_with_modifiers"
      failure_action: "execute_whizzer_control"
      failure_probability: 45
 
  final_calculation:
    base_probability: "success_probability[skill_level]"
    applied_modifiers:
      - setup_quality
      - timing_precision
      - opponent_fatigue
      - knowledge_test
      - position_control
    formula: "base_probability + sum(modifiers) - sum(counters)"

Common Troubleshooting Patterns

troubleshooting:
  - symptom: "Hook lift feels weak and opponent doesn't elevate"
    likely_cause: "Opponent's weight is back on heels or hooks too shallow"
    diagnostic_questions:
      - "Are hooks inserted deep under opponent's thighs?"
      - "Have you pulled opponent forward before lifting?"
      - "Is opponent's weight centered or forward?"
    solution: "Pull opponent forward first to load your hooks with their weight, ensure hooks are deep, then lift explosively"
 
  - symptom: "Opponent easily prevents sweep by posturing away"
    likely_cause: "Insufficient upper body control or grips"
    diagnostic_questions:
      - "Do you have underhooks or collar control established?"
      - "Are you maintaining constant pulling pressure?"
      - "Is opponent able to create distance with their upper body?"
    solution: "Establish strong underhooks or collar grips before attempting sweep, maintain constant forward pull"
 
  - symptom: "Sweep starts but stalls halfway through"
    likely_cause: "Not rotating torso during execution"
    diagnostic_questions:
      - "Are you rotating your entire body toward the sweep direction?"
      - "Is your upper body turning as you lift with hooks?"
      - "Are you generating rotational momentum?"
    solution: "Coordinate hook lift with upper body rotation, turn your shoulders and hips in sweep direction simultaneously"
 
  - symptom: "Successfully sweep but end up in scramble instead of side control"
    likely_cause: "Not following through immediately to establish top position"
    diagnostic_questions:
      - "Are you maintaining grip contact as you come up?"
      - "Are you immediately establishing crossface and hip pressure?"
      - "Is there a delay between sweep and position establishment?"
    solution: "Keep grips connected throughout sweep, immediately establish side control with crossface and hip control"

Timing and Setup Guidance

timing_guidance:
  optimal_windows:
    - condition: "Opponent leans forward to establish grips or pass"
      success_boost: "+15%"
      recognition_cues: ["Forward weight shift", "Reaching for grips", "Chest moving toward you"]
 
    - condition: "After threatening arm drag brings opponent forward defensively"
      success_boost: "+12%"
      recognition_cues: ["Opponent pulling arm back", "Weight shifting forward", "Defensive posture"]
 
    - condition: "Opponent's base is narrow with weight centered"
      success_boost: "+10%"
      recognition_cues: ["Knees close together", "Weight on hooks", "Limited lateral stability"]
 
  avoid_windows:
    - condition: "Opponent postured back with weight on heels"
      success_penalty: "-20%"
      recognition_cues: ["Upright torso", "Weight shifted backward", "Minimal pressure on hooks"]
 
    - condition: "Opponent has strong whizzer control on your underhook"
      success_penalty: "-15%"
      recognition_cues: ["Arm trapped by whizzer", "Limited pulling power", "Opponent controlling arm"]
 
    - condition: "Your hooks are shallow or compromised"
      success_penalty: "-18%"
      recognition_cues: ["Hooks near opponent's knees", "Easy to clear", "Limited lifting leverage"]
 
setup_sequences:
  - sequence_name: "Arm Drag Feint to Hook Sweep"
    steps:
      - "Threaten arm drag to back"
      - "Opponent defends by pulling arm back and leaning forward"
      - "Immediately execute hook sweep with their forward momentum"
    success_boost: "+12%"
 
  - sequence_name: "Guillotine Threat to Hook Sweep"
    steps:
      - "Threaten guillotine from butterfly"
      - "Opponent defends by posturing up slightly"
      - "Switch to hook sweep as they adjust posture"
    success_boost: "+10%"

Narrative Generation Prompts

narrative_prompts:
  setup_phase:
    - "You establish your butterfly hooks deep under their thighs while securing underhooks, feeling their weight beginning to load onto your hooks."
    - "Your opponent leans forward to engage, unknowingly positioning themselves perfectly for the sweep."
    - "You adjust your grips and hook placement, waiting for the moment their weight commits forward."
 
  execution_phase:
    - "You pull them forward sharply while simultaneously lifting explosively with your hook, your body rotating toward the sweep."
    - "The combined forces of your pull, lift, and rotation create an irresistible sweeping motion."
    - "Your opponent's base crumbles as they feel themselves being elevated and swept to the side."
 
  completion_phase:
    - "You follow through smoothly, maintaining contact as you transition to side control."
    - "Your hooks release at the perfect moment as you establish dominant top position."
    - "You immediately secure crossface and hip pressure, consolidating side control before they can recover."
 
  failure_phase:
    - "Your opponent sprawls back hard, removing their weight from your hooks."
    - "They catch your underhook with a whizzer, neutralizing your pulling power."
    - "Your timing is off and they maintain their base, forcing you to reset your attack."

Image Generation Prompts

image_prompts:
  setup_position:
    prompt: "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu butterfly guard position, bottom practitioner seated with butterfly hooks under opponent's thighs, underhooks established, top practitioner leaning forward, both wearing gis, technical illustration style"
    key_elements: ["Butterfly hooks", "Underhooks", "Forward lean", "Engaged position"]
 
  mid_execution:
    prompt: "BJJ hook sweep in motion, bottom practitioner lifting with hook while pulling and rotating, opponent being elevated and swept to the side, dynamic movement captured, technical illustration"
    key_elements: ["Hook elevation", "Pulling motion", "Body rotation", "Off-balance"]
 
  completion_position:
    prompt: "BJJ side control position after hook sweep, practitioner on top with crossface and hip control, opponent flat on back, control established, technical illustration style"
    key_elements: ["Side control", "Crossface", "Hip pressure", "Dominant position"]

Audio Narration Scripts

audio_scripts:
  instructional_narration:
    script: "From butterfly guard, establish your hooks deep under their thighs and secure underhooks. As your opponent leans forward, pull them toward you while lifting explosively with your hook. Rotate your entire body in the direction of the sweep. Follow through immediately to side control, establishing crossface and hip pressure."
    voice: "Onyx"
    pace: "Moderate"
    emphasis: ["deep hooks", "pull forward", "lift explosively", "rotate", "follow through"]
 
  coaching_cues:
    script: "Hooks deep. Underhooks tight. Pull them in. Now lift and rotate hard. Drive through to side control. Perfect pressure. Lock it down."
    voice: "Onyx"
    pace: "Energetic"
    emphasis: ["deep", "tight", "lift", "rotate hard", "perfect"]
 
  competition_commentary:
    script: "Beautiful setup from butterfly guard. Watch the coordination here - hooks deep, underhooks secured. Perfect timing as the opponent engages. Explosive lift and rotation. Smooth transition to side control. Textbook execution of the hook sweep."
    voice: "Onyx"
    pace: "Fast"
    emphasis: ["Perfect timing", "Explosive lift", "Smooth transition", "Textbook"]

Competition Applications

  • IBJJF Rules: Legal at all belt levels, scores as sweep (2 points) plus side control (additional advantage), immediate scoring opportunity
  • No-Gi Competition: Highly effective with proper underhook control, commonly used in submission-only formats
  • Self-Defense Context: Can be applied from seated position if taken to ground, provides path to dominant position
  • MMA Applications: Modified version effective in MMA with cage awareness and striking considerations

Historical Context

The hook sweep is a fundamental butterfly guard technique with roots in early Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. The butterfly guard itself was popularized by fighters like Marcelo Garcia who demonstrated its effectiveness at the highest levels of competition. The hook sweep showcases the core principle of using mechanical advantage to overcome size and strength disadvantages, making it a cornerstone technique for smaller practitioners.

Safety Considerations

  • Controlled Application: Smooth sweep execution prevents injury to both practitioners, avoid explosive force during initial learning
  • Mat Awareness: Ensure adequate space around training area for safe completion and rolling
  • Partner Safety: Controlled follow-through protects training partner from hard landing or impact
  • Gradual Progression: Build up speed and power gradually, start with cooperative drilling before live resistance

Position Integration

Common combinations and sequences:

  • Butterfly Sweep - Similar mechanics with different finishing direction
  • Arm Drag - Common setup technique that brings opponent forward for sweep
  • X-Guard Entry - Alternative if opponent defends by posturing back
  • Single Leg X Entry - Related guard transition with similar hook mechanics

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