The Sickle Sweep is a fundamental attacking technique from the De La Riva Guard that leverages the hook control to off-balance and sweep your opponent. Named for its characteristic leg hooking motion that resembles a sickle cutting through grass, this sweep exploits the opponent’s base when they attempt to pass or establish their posture. The technique combines precise leg positioning with upper body control to create a powerful sweeping motion that drives the opponent backward and allows you to come on top.
This sweep is particularly effective against opponents who are standing or have elevated their posture in your De La Riva Guard. The sickle motion of your hooking leg combined with a collar or sleeve grip creates a powerful lever system that makes it extremely difficult for the opponent to maintain their balance. Unlike some sweeps that require explosive power, the Sickle Sweep relies on proper timing and technical execution, making it accessible to practitioners at all skill levels.
The Sickle Sweep serves as a cornerstone technique in modern De La Riva Guard systems and chains naturally with other attacks including back takes, leg entanglements, and submission attempts. Understanding this sweep provides essential insight into how the De La Riva hook functions as an offensive weapon rather than just a defensive control mechanism.
From Position: De La Riva Guard (Bottom)
Key Attacking Principles
What are the key principles for executing Sickle Sweep?
- Maintain strong De La Riva hook with toes pulled toward you to create rigid structural tension that prevents the hook from slipping during the sweep
- Control opponent’s posture with collar or sleeve grip to prevent posting and create additional sweeping force when pulled
- Create diagonal sweeping angle approximately 45 degrees from opponent’s centerline rather than sweeping straight backward
- Use your bottom leg to push opponent’s far hip while hooking near leg, generating opposing vectors that eliminate all base options
- Time the sweep when opponent’s weight shifts forward onto the hooked leg or when they lift their far foot to step
- Maintain constant tension in your hook throughout the entire motion to prevent any adjustment or recovery by the opponent
- Follow through by coming up on top immediately after the sweep using your collar grip to pull yourself forward
Prerequisites
What do you need before attempting Sickle Sweep?
- De La Riva hook established on opponent’s near leg with active toe flexion pulling toes toward shin
- Strong collar grip behind the neck or sleeve control at the wrist to manage posture and prevent posting
- Bottom foot positioned on opponent’s far hip or thigh for distance management and push leverage
- Opponent is standing or has elevated posture in your guard, creating the necessary distance for the sickle motion
- Hips angled approximately 45 degrees from opponent’s centerline to create proper sweeping leverage
- Sufficient space to extend legs for the sweeping motion without obstruction
Execution Steps
How do you execute Sickle Sweep step by step?
- Establish De La Riva control: Secure your De La Riva hook by threading your right leg behind opponent’s left leg with your foot hooking around their thigh. Pull your toes toward your body to tighten the hook. Simultaneously, place your left foot on their right hip or thigh for distance management and establish a strong collar grip with your right hand.
- Grip the collar and control posture: Establish a deep collar grip with your right hand, getting as far behind the neck as possible. Your left hand should control the opponent’s left sleeve at the wrist or elbow. These grips work together to prevent your opponent from posting their hands when swept and keep their posture broken forward.
- Create the sweeping angle: Shift your hips to your right side to create an angle approximately 45 degrees from the opponent’s centerline. This angle is critical as it allows your De La Riva hook to function as a powerful lever. Your body should form a ‘C’ shape with your head moving away from the opponent’s hooking leg.
- Execute the sickle motion: Simultaneously perform three coordinated actions: (1) Extend and scythe your De La Riva hook in a wide arc away from the opponent’s base, (2) Push strongly with your left foot on their far hip to drive them backward and across, (3) Pull down and toward you with your collar grip to break their posture completely. The hooking leg should sweep in a motion that resembles a sickle cutting through grass.
- Drive opponent backward: As the opponent begins to fall backward, maintain strong pulling pressure with your collar grip while continuing to extend your De La Riva hook. Your hip push leg should fully extend, creating maximum distance and preventing any last-moment posting attempts. Keep your hips elevated off the mat to maintain sweeping pressure.
- Come up on top: As the opponent hits the mat, immediately release your hook and use the momentum to come up into mount or side control. Your collar grip helps pull you forward as you establish top position. Drive your chest forward and establish heavy shoulder pressure immediately to consolidate your position before the opponent can recover their guard.
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Mount | 50% |
| Success | Side Control | 15% |
| Failure | De La Riva Guard | 25% |
| Counter | Open Guard | 10% |
Opponent Counters
How might your opponent counter Sickle Sweep?
- Opponent posts hand on mat to prevent being swept backward (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Switch to taking the back by following their posted arm and climbing up their body, or transition to an omoplata attack on the posted arm → Leads to De La Riva Guard
- Opponent steps back with far leg to widen base and resist the diagonal sweep (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Immediately transition to X-Guard or Single Leg X-Guard by collecting the near leg with your bottom leg and adjusting your hook position under their hips → Leads to De La Riva Guard
- Opponent drops weight down and pressures forward into you to flatten your hips (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Switch to Kiss of the Dragon by inverting under them while maintaining your hook, or transition to Reverse De La Riva Guard and attack the back from underneath → Leads to Open Guard
- Opponent grabs your pants at the hooking leg to strip the De La Riva hook (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Use the grip to load them more onto that leg, making the sweep even more effective, or transition to berimbolo by inverting toward the grip side → Leads to De La Riva Guard
Safety Considerations
What are the safety concerns for Sickle Sweep?
The Sickle Sweep is generally a low-risk technique when practiced correctly, but certain safety considerations should be observed. When drilling with a partner, communicate clearly about resistance levels and ensure they know how to fall safely backward when swept. The person being swept should practice falling with proper breakfall technique, keeping their chin tucked and slapping the mat with their arms to dissipate impact force. Avoid executing this sweep explosively during initial learning phases as uncontrolled falls can cause head or spine injuries. When your partner posts their hand to defend, do not force the sweep as this can result in wrist, elbow, or shoulder injuries to the posted arm. Instead, transition to alternative attacks. Ensure adequate mat space behind your partner before attempting the sweep to prevent them from hitting walls or other practitioners. In training environments, tap if you feel your balance completely compromised rather than risking an uncontrolled fall. When practicing at higher resistance levels, both partners should be warmed up properly with particular attention to hip flexibility and leg strength preparation.