BJJ Graph

Scissor Sweep

Jun 15, 20259 min read

Scissor Sweep

bjjtransitionsweepclosed_guardfundamental

Required Properties for State Machine

Core Identifiers

  • Transition ID: T049
  • Transition Name: Scissor Sweep
  • Alternative Names: Basic Scissor, Closed Guard Scissor, Leg Scissor

State Machine Properties

Transition Properties

  • Success Probability: Beginner 55%, Intermediate 75%, Advanced 90% - core probability data
  • Execution Complexity: Low - technical difficulty assessment
  • Energy Cost: Low - physical demand of execution
  • Time Required: Quick - duration of transition
  • Risk Level: Low - chance of backfire or position loss

Physical Requirements

  • Strength Requirements: Low for leg and core muscles
  • Flexibility Requirements: Medium for leg positioning and hip movement
  • Coordination Requirements: Medium for technical precision
  • Speed Requirements: Medium for timing-dependent execution

State Machine Content Elements

Visual Execution Sequence

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

From closed guard bottom, you establish a strong collar grip with one hand while your other hand controls their same-side sleeve at the elbow. Your opponent typically maintains their posture or attempts to establish grips. You then open your guard and create a scissor motion with your legs - one leg sweeping across their base while the other leg blocks their opposite leg. The coordinated push-pull motion with your grips combined with the leg scissor creates an unstoppable sweeping force that topples them to the side as you follow through, ending up in mount position.

Template: “From closed guard with collar-sleeve grips, you open guard and create scissor motion with legs while pulling with collar and pushing with sleeve. Your opponent is swept to the side as you follow through to mount position.”

Execution Steps (Numbered Sequence)

  1. Setup Requirements: Establish collar grip and same-side sleeve control from closed guard
  2. Initial Movement: Open your guard while maintaining grip control
  3. Opponent Response: Opponent typically tries to maintain base or advance position
  4. Adaptation: Adjust leg positioning and grip tension based on their movement
  5. Completion: Execute scissor motion while pulling collar and pushing sleeve
  6. Consolidation: Follow through by transitioning to mount position

Key Technical Details

Critical elements that determine success:

  • Grip Requirements: Strong collar grip, elbow control on same side
  • Base/Foundation: Proper leg positioning for effective scissor motion
  • Timing Windows: Execute when opponent’s base is centered or advancing
  • Leverage Points: Combined push-pull with grips amplifies leg scissor force
  • Common Adjustments: Vary scissor angle and grip direction based on resistance

Success Modifiers

Factors that increase/decrease probability:

  • Setup Quality: Strong grips and proper leg positioning (+/-15%)
  • Timing Precision: Executing during optimal base position (+/-20%)
  • Opponent Fatigue: Reduced defensive reactions and balance (+/-5%)
  • Knowledge Test Performance: Understanding sweep mechanics (+/-10%)
  • Position Control: Quality of initial closed guard control (+/-10%)

Counter-Attack Analysis

Common Counters

Opponent responses with success rates:

  • Base Wide: Widening base to prevent scissor effectiveness → Closed Guard Top (Success Rate: 45%, Conditions: early recognition)
  • Grip Break: Breaking collar or sleeve grip to neutralize control → Open Guard (Success Rate: 40%, Conditions: superior grip fighting)
  • Drive Forward: Pressuring forward to pass before sweep → Guard Pass (Success Rate: 35%, Conditions: timing dependent)
  • Post Hand: Posting hand to prevent rollover completion → Closed Guard Top (Success Rate: 50%, Conditions: quick reaction)

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

Decision Logic

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

Else if [grips are not secure]:
- Execute [[Grip Break]] (Probability: 40%)

Else if [sweep can be beaten with speed]:
- Execute [[Drive Forward]] (Probability: 35%)

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

Educational Content

Expert Insights

Commentary as if from recognized authorities:

  • John Danaher: “The scissor sweep is the most fundamental and highest-percentage sweep from closed guard. The key is understanding the precise coordination between upper body control and leg scissor motion. The push-pull action with the grips must be perfectly timed with the leg scissor to create irresistible force that makes defense nearly impossible.”
  • Gordon Ryan: “In competition, I rely on the scissor sweep as my primary weapon from closed guard because of its exceptional success rate and low energy cost. The technique is so mechanically sound that when executed properly, even elite opponents cannot defend it. The immediate transition to mount makes it extremely valuable for point scoring.”
  • Eddie Bravo: “The scissor sweep is the foundation that all other closed guard techniques build upon. I teach it as the first sweep because mastering its mechanics teaches students proper grip control, hip movement, and the timing required for all guard work. It’s the technique that proves closed guard is a truly dominant position.”

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

Common Errors

For knowledge test generation:

  • Error: Attempting sweep without proper collar and sleeve grips

  • Why It Fails: Lack of upper body control reduces sweep effectiveness dramatically

  • Correction: Always establish strong collar grip and elbow control before opening guard

  • Recognition: Sweep feels weak and opponent maintains balance easily

  • Error: Poor leg positioning that reduces scissor effectiveness

  • Why It Fails: Incorrect leg angles fail to create proper sweeping force

  • Correction: Bottom leg sweeps across their base, top leg blocks at knee level

  • Recognition: Opponent easily steps over or around the leg sweep

  • Error: Not coordinating grips with leg motion properly

  • Why It Fails: Legs and arms working independently reduces total force generated

  • Correction: Pull collar and push sleeve precisely as legs execute scissor

  • Recognition: Sweep lacks power despite good leg positioning

Timing Considerations

When to attempt this transition:

  • Optimal Conditions: When opponent has centered base or is advancing forward
  • Avoid When: Opponent has wide, low base with strong defensive posture
  • Setup Sequences: After opponent defends other attacks and returns to center
  • Follow-up Windows: Must complete within 1-2 seconds for maximum effectiveness

Prerequisites

Requirements before attempting:

  • Technical Skills: Basic closed guard control and fundamental grip fighting
  • Physical Preparation: Hip flexibility and basic leg coordination
  • Positional Understanding: Closed guard mechanics and sweep principles
  • Experience Level: Beginner-friendly technique, often first sweep taught

Technical Assessment Elements

Knowledge Assessment Questions

5 technical questions with multiple choice answers:

  • Mechanical Understanding: “What creates the sweeping force in the scissor sweep?”
  • Timing Recognition: “When is the optimal moment to execute the leg scissor?”
  • Error Prevention: “What is the most common grip mistake in this technique?”
  • Setup Requirements: “Which leg position is essential for proper execution?”
  • Adaptation: “How do you adjust if opponent widens their base?”

Variants and Adaptations

Different versions for various scenarios:

  • Gi Specific: Traditional collar and sleeve grips provide maximum control
  • No-Gi Specific: Adapt to overhook and underhook control instead
  • Self-Defense: Modified version using clothing grips in street situations
  • Competition: Perfect technique for reliable point scoring and position
  • Size Differential: Effective for all body types due to mechanical advantage

Training Progressions

Skill development pathway:

  • Solo Practice: Leg scissor motion and grip simulation without partner
  • Cooperative Drilling: Partner allows sweep completion for timing development
  • Resistant Practice: Partner provides progressive defensive resistance
  • Sparring Integration: Implementing sweep during live rolling sessions
  • Troubleshooting: Identifying and correcting execution problems

Audio & Narration Elements

Action Descriptions

Dynamic language for TTS narration:

  • Movement Verbs: Scissor, sweep, pull, push, coordinate, follow-through
  • Spatial References: Scissor motion, base sweep, leverage amplification
  • Pressure Dynamics: Push-pull coordination, leg force multiplication
  • Momentum Descriptions: Smooth coordination, inevitable sweep force

Coaching Commentary

Real-time instruction and feedback:

  • Setup Cues: “Collar grip deep, sleeve at the elbow”
  • Execution Guidance: “Scissor the legs while coordinating your grips”
  • Adaptation Prompts: “Feel their base and time your sweep”
  • Completion Confirmation: “Follow through all the way to mount”

Technical Specifications

Animation Keyframes

For potential visual development:

  • Starting Position: Closed guard with collar and sleeve grips established
  • Transition Points: Guard opening, leg scissor initiation, grip coordination
  • Ending Position: Mount position with opponent swept
  • Alternative Outcomes: Failed sweep leading to guard retention or transition

Biomechanical Analysis

Scientific movement breakdown:

  • Force Vectors: Coordinated push-pull combined with lateral leg sweep
  • Leverage Ratios: Grip control multiplied by leg scissor creates advantage
  • Range of Motion: Hip opening with coordinated arm and leg movement
  • Power Generation: Core stability, grip strength, and leg coordination

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 Bridge and Roll 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.

  • Hip Bump Sweep - Alternative closed guard sweep with different mechanics
  • Flower Sweep - Another fundamental closed guard sweep option
  • Balloon Sweep - Advanced closed guard sweep using similar grip control
  • Triangle Setup - Common follow-up if sweep is defended
  • Armbar from Guard - Alternative attack using similar grip establishment

Competition Applications

  • IBJJF Rules: Legal at all belt levels, scores as sweep (2 points) plus mount (4 points)
  • No-Gi Competition: Requires adaptation to different grip systems
  • Self-Defense: Excellent for quickly gaining dominant position
  • MMA Applications: Modified version effective in mixed martial arts

Historical Context

The scissor sweep is one of the most fundamental techniques in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, often considered the “bread and butter” of closed guard attacks. It demonstrates the principle that proper technique and timing can overcome size and strength disadvantages through mechanical advantage.

Safety Considerations

  • Controlled Application: Smooth execution prevents injury to both practitioners
  • Partner Awareness: Controlled follow-through protects training partner
  • Mat Safety: Ensure adequate space for safe completion
  • Gradual Learning: Build up speed and coordination gradually

Position Integration

Common scissor sweep combinations:

Training Applications

  • Beginner Curriculum: Often the first sweep taught to new practitioners
  • Drilling Foundation: Excellent base for developing sweep timing
  • Flow Training: Integrates perfectly with other closed guard techniques
  • Competition Preparation: Highest-percentage sweep for reliable success
  • Technical Mastery: Benchmark technique for closed guard proficiency

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