BJJ Graph

Pendulum Sweep

Jun 15, 202512 min read

Pendulum Sweep

bjjtransitionsweephalf_guardintermediate

Required Properties for State Machine

Core Identifiers

  • Transition ID: T067
  • Transition Name: Pendulum Sweep
  • Alternative Names: Flower Sweep from Half Guard, Hip Swing Sweep

State Machine Properties

  • Transition Type: Sweep - from bottom half guard to top position
  • Starting Position: Half Guard Bottom
  • Ending Position: Top Position, Mount
  • Transition Path: Bottom guard to top dominance

Transition Properties

  • Success Probability: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 60% - core probability data
  • Execution Complexity: Medium to High - requires precise hip movement and timing
  • Energy Cost: Medium to High - demands active hip swing and leverage
  • Risk Level: Medium - potential for losing position if mistimed
  • Execution Speed: Medium to Fast - must be executed with control and quick reaction

Physical Requirements

  • Strength Requirements: Medium to High for hip drive and upper body control
  • Flexibility Requirements: High for hip mobility and leg positioning
  • Coordination Requirements: High for timing hip swing, leg control, and sweep
  • Speed Requirements: Medium to High for quick reaction to opponent’s posture

State Machine Content Elements

Visual Execution Sequence

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

From a Half Guard Bottom position, you start on your side with one of the opponent’s legs trapped between yours, facing them as they attempt to control your upper body or pass your guard, with your inside arm securing an underhook on their far side to prevent being flattened, while your outside arm frames against their shoulder or neck to maintain space, and your legs are positioned with one knee up as a shield and the other hooking their trapped leg, ready to initiate the sweep. You maintain a strong connection with your underhook, keeping your elbow tight to your body to control their posture, while your head is positioned defensively to avoid crossfaces, ensuring your hips are mobile and slightly turned towards the trapped leg side to prepare for the movement, as you adjust your outside leg to swing it back and prepare for a pendulum motion, using your outside hand to control their arm or wrist on the same side to limit their ability to post. As you initiate the sweep, you use your underhook to pull yourself up and towards their back while simultaneously swinging your outside leg back and then forward in a pendulum motion to build momentum, shifting your hips underneath their center of gravity to create leverage, using your knee shield to push against their chest or shoulder to assist in elevating them, while your hooking leg tightens to control their trapped leg and prevent them from stepping out. With the opponent off-balanced by the pendulum swing of your leg, you continue the motion by driving your hips upward and rolling them over their trapped leg side, using your underhook to guide their upper body down to the mat, maintaining control of their arm and leg as they fall to their back, ensuring you follow through by coming up on top, often landing in a dominant position like mount if their legs are open or side control if they defend. You consolidate the position by securing an underhook or head control to prevent their immediate escape, having successfully reversed the position from bottom half guard to top dominance through a dynamic pendulum sweep.

Template: “From Half Guard Bottom, trap opponent’s leg, secure underhook on far side, frame with outside arm. Maintain tight underhook, keep hips mobile, swing outside leg back to prepare pendulum motion, control opponent’s arm. Use underhook to pull up, swing leg forward for momentum, shift hips underneath, push with knee shield for elevation. Drive hips up, roll opponent over trapped leg side, follow to top position or mount. Consolidate with underhook/head control to secure dominance.”

Execution Steps (Numbered Sequence)

  1. Setup Requirements: Start in Half Guard Bottom with opponent’s leg trapped
  2. Control Establishment: Secure underhook on far side, frame with outside arm
  3. Posture Defense: Maintain tight underhook, keep hips turned for mobility
  4. Leg Preparation: Adjust outside leg back to prepare for pendulum swing
  5. Arm Control: Use outside hand to control opponent’s arm/wrist to limit posting
  6. Hip Preparation: Shift hips underneath opponent’s center of gravity for leverage
  7. Pendulum Action: Swing outside leg back then forward to build momentum
  8. Elevation Action: Push with knee shield against chest/shoulder, tighten hook on leg
  9. Sweep Completion: Drive hips upward, roll opponent over trapped leg side, maintain control
  10. Position Consolidation: Follow through to top position, secure underhook/head control

Key Technical Details

Critical elements that determine success:

  • Pendulum Momentum: Swinging leg motion to build momentum for the sweep
  • Underhook Leverage: Strong underhook to control upper body and pull towards back
  • Hip Positioning: Shifting hips underneath opponent for optimal sweep leverage
  • Arm Control: Controlling opponent’s arm to prevent posting and maintain off-balance
  • Follow-Through: Continuous motion to come up on top after sweep

Success Modifiers

Factors that increase/decrease probability:

  • Leg Swing: Effectiveness of pendulum motion for momentum (+/-20%)
  • Opponent Balance: Degree of base disruption or forward lean (+/-15%)
  • Hip Mobility: Ability to shift and drive hips dynamically (+/-15%)
  • Underhook Strength: Control over opponent’s upper body (+/-10%)
  • Knowledge Test Performance: Understanding half guard sweep mechanics (+/-10%)

Counter-Attack Analysis

Common Counters

Opponent responses with success rates:

  • Base Recovery: Widening base to resist momentum → Top Half Guard (Success Rate: 40%, Conditions: early recognition)
  • Arm Posting: Freeing controlled arm to post on mat → Neutral Position (Success Rate: 30%, Conditions: strong grip break)
  • Upper Body Control: Using crossface or whizzer to resist roll → Top Position (Success Rate: 20%, Conditions: quick reaction)
  • Counter Sweep: Using sweep momentum for own attack → Top Position (Success Rate: 10%, Conditions: advanced skill)

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

Decision Logic

If [sweep setup] is recognized early:
- Execute [[Base Recovery]] (Probability: 40%)

Else if [grip break] can free controlled arm:
- Attempt [[Arm Posting]] (Probability: 30%)

Else if [upper body control] can resist roll:
- Execute [[Upper Body Control]] (Probability: 20%)

Else [advanced skill] allows counter attack:
- Attempt [[Counter Sweep]] (Probability: 10%)

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

Educational Content

Expert Insights

Commentary as if from recognized authorities:

  • John Danaher: “The Pendulum Sweep from half guard is a dynamic technique that exemplifies the principle of using momentum to create sweeping opportunities. The key is in the swinging motion of the leg to build force while maintaining control with the underhook, demonstrating how kinetic energy can overcome static strength. This sweep teaches critical principles of momentum and leverage that are essential for advanced half guard systems.”
  • Gordon Ryan: “In competition, the Pendulum Sweep is a high-percentage move from half guard, especially against opponents who are focused on passing. I focus on the timing of the leg swing and exploding through the hip shift to ensure they roll over cleanly. This technique shows how dynamic half guard sweeps can be adapted into dominant attacks from the bottom.”
  • Eddie Bravo: “Pendulum Sweep is a slick half guard sweep that blends classic control with modern dynamics, offering a reliable way to reverse position. It’s a great move for grapplers who like to use momentum and create powerful sweeps, often chaining into submissions. This sweep integrates well with systems that prioritize fluid transitions and off-balancing from half guard.”

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

Common Errors

For knowledge test generation:

  • Error: Ineffective pendulum swing or momentum

  • Why It Fails: Lacks force to off-balance opponent, allowing them to maintain base

  • Correction: Swing outside leg back then forward with power to build momentum

  • Recognition: Sweep stalls or opponent resists with widened base

  • Error: Poor hip positioning or insufficient shift

  • Why It Fails: Reduces leverage for sweep, making roll difficult

  • Correction: Shift hips significantly underneath opponent’s center of gravity

  • Recognition: Sweep lacks power or opponent maintains balance

  • Error: Weak underhook or lack of upper body control

  • Why It Fails: Allows opponent to control your upper body, countering the sweep

  • Correction: Maintain tight underhook, pull towards their back for leverage

  • Recognition: Opponent crossfaces or whizzers to resist roll

Timing Considerations

When to attempt this transition:

  • Optimal Conditions: When opponent leans forward or focuses on upper body control
  • Avoid When: Opponent maintains low, wide base with strong posture
  • Setup Sequences: After establishing underhook and framing in half guard
  • Follow-up Windows: Must complete sweep within 3-5 seconds to avoid counters

Prerequisites

Requirements before attempting:

  • Technical Skills: Understanding of half guard principles and sweep mechanics
  • Physical Preparation: Hip mobility and core strength for dynamic motion
  • Positional Understanding: Control points in half guard and momentum creation
  • Experience Level: Intermediate - requires timing and control in half guard

Technical Assessment Elements

Knowledge Assessment Questions

5 technical questions with multiple choice answers:

  • Mechanical Understanding: “What creates the momentum in a Pendulum Sweep?”
  • Timing Recognition: “When is the optimal moment to initiate a Pendulum Sweep?”
  • Error Prevention: “What is the most common mistake in executing a Pendulum Sweep?”
  • Setup Requirements: “Which control is essential for starting a Pendulum Sweep?”
  • Adaptation: “How do you adjust if the opponent resists during a Pendulum Sweep?”

Variants and Adaptations

Different versions for various scenarios:

  • Standard Pendulum Sweep: Classic half guard sweep with leg swing and underhook
  • Deep Underhook Variation: Deeper underhook for tighter control
  • No-Gi Adaptation: Adjusted control without gi grips on arm
  • Counter Adaptation: Applied as counter to opponent’s pass attempt
  • Combination Setup: Used in chain with other half guard sweeps or submissions

Training Progressions

Skill development pathway:

  • Solo Practice: Hip shift and leg swing drills without partner
  • Cooperative Drilling: Partner allows sweep for technique development
  • Resistant Practice: Partner provides progressive resistance to setup
  • Sparring Integration: Attempt during live half guard scenarios
  • Troubleshooting: Identify and correct issues with leg swing or hip angle

Audio & Narration Elements

Action Descriptions

Dynamic language for TTS narration:

  • Movement Verbs: Trap, secure, frame, swing, pull, shift, push, drive, roll, follow
  • Spatial References: Leg swing, hip shift, underhook control, top position landing
  • Pressure Dynamics: Momentum building, off-balancing force, sweeping leverage
  • Momentum Descriptions: Pendulum swing, continuous roll, positional reversal

Coaching Commentary

Real-time instruction and feedback:

  • Setup Cues: “Secure underhook, frame against shoulder, prepare leg swing for momentum”
  • Execution Guidance: “Swing leg forward, shift hips underneath, drive up to sweep them over”
  • Adaptation Prompts: “If they resist, adjust angle or chain to another half guard attack”
  • Completion Confirmation: “Roll them over, come up on top, secure mount or side control”

Technical Specifications

Animation Keyframes

For potential visual development:

  • Starting Position: Half guard with underhook and frame
  • Transition Points: Leg swing, hip shift, momentum build, sweep completion
  • Finishing Position: Top position or mount after sweep
  • Alternative Outcomes: Failed attempt leading to guard retention or counter

Biomechanical Analysis

Scientific movement breakdown:

  • Force Vectors: Swinging force from leg, lateral force through hip shift
  • Leverage Ratios: Hip and underhook as fulcrum for opponent’s body weight
  • Range of Motion: Hip flexion and rotation for sweep mechanics
  • Power Generation: Core and leg strength for swinging and rolling action

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.

  • Half Guard Bottom - Primary starting position for this sweep
  • Foot Grab Sweep - Similar half guard sweep with different mechanics
  • John Wayne Sweep - Alternative half guard sweep with different leverage
  • Top Position - Common outcome after successful sweep

Competition Applications

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

Historical Context

The Pendulum Sweep is an intermediate technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, developed as part of the half guard system to address opponents who attempt to pass or control from the top. It has become a staple in BJJ competition for its effectiveness in using momentum to create a high-percentage sweep to a dominant position.

Safety Considerations

  • Controlled Sweep: Execute with control to avoid injuring opponent on fall
  • Personal Safety: Be prepared to adjust if sweep fails or opponent counters
  • Partner Communication: Ensure opponent is ready for dynamic half guard movement
  • Training Environment: Use in controlled settings with proper mats to prevent injury

Position Integration

Common Pendulum Sweep combinations:

Training Applications

  • Sweep Development: Essential for intermediate half guard sweeping game
  • Competition Preparation: High-percentage move for scoring sweep points
  • Control Training: Builds skills in momentum creation from bottom position
  • Timing Mastery: Encourages development of precise timing and leverage

Graph View

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