Underhook Sweep from Half

The Underhook Sweep from Half Guard is a fundamental attacking technique that exploits the power of the underhook control to off-balance and sweep opponents from bottom half guard. This sweep represents one of the highest percentage attacks available from half guard, combining proper angle creation, hip movement, and timing to reverse position. The technique capitalizes on the underhook’s ability to control the opponent’s posture and weight distribution, creating the mechanical advantage necessary to complete the reversal. By establishing the underhook on the trapped leg side, you create a powerful lever that disrupts your opponent’s base while simultaneously generating the momentum needed for the sweep. This technique serves as a cornerstone of modern half guard systems, offering a reliable pathway from defensive bottom position to dominant top control.

Starting Position: Half Guard Ending Position: Side Control Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%

Key Principles

• Secure deep underhook control before initiating sweep
• Create angle by shifting hips away from opponent
• Drive forward and upward with underhook leverage
• Use opponent’s pressure against them through timing
• Maintain tight connection throughout sweep motion
• Control opponent’s far hip to prevent counter-base
• Finish sweep by coming up on top in secure position

Prerequisites

• Half guard established with one leg trapped between your legs
• Deep underhook secured on the trapped leg side
• Head positioned on the underhook side of opponent’s body
• Hip angle created away from opponent’s center line
• Opponent’s weight committed forward or maintained heavy
• Free hand controlling opponent’s far hip or pants grip
• Knee shield cleared or controlled to prevent blocking

Execution Steps

1. Secure the underhook: Drive your arm deep under opponent’s armpit on the trapped leg side, wrapping around their back. Your shoulder should connect tightly to their ribs, with your hand gripping their far lat or back of the gi. This underhook becomes your primary sweeping lever. (Timing: Establish during initial half guard engagement)
2. Create the angle: Shift your hips out and away from your opponent at approximately 45 degrees, moving your shoulders toward the mat on the underhook side. This angle is critical as it creates the mechanical advantage for the sweep and prevents you from lifting dead weight directly underneath the opponent. (Timing: Immediately after securing underhook)
3. Control the far hip: With your free hand, establish a strong grip on opponent’s far hip, belt, or pants. This grip prevents them from posting their leg out for base and helps control their weight distribution. Pull this hip toward you while maintaining your angle. (Timing: Simultaneous with angle creation)
4. Load and bridge: Come up onto your shoulder on the underhook side, creating a strong bridge position. Your head should be tight to opponent’s ribs, and your underhook arm should be driving their weight up and over. This loading phase prepares the explosive component of the sweep. (Timing: As opponent commits weight forward)
5. Drive the sweep: Explosively drive your underhook arm upward and forward while simultaneously pulling their far hip with your grip hand. Your hips should elevate and rotate toward the underhook side, using your bridge and the trapped leg as a fulcrum. Drive your shoulder into their torso as you sweep them over. (Timing: Coordinate with opponent’s forward pressure)
6. Complete the reversal: As opponent rolls over, maintain your underhook control and come up on top, transitioning into side control or knee on belly. Keep your weight distributed forward and chest pressure heavy to prevent re-guard. Secure the position before hunting submissions or advancing further. (Timing: Follow through momentum to top position)

Opponent Counters

• Opponent whizzers your underhook arm, overhooking and controlling it tightly (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Switch to Old School Sweep by posting on your free hand and kicking the trapped leg out, or transition to deep half guard where the whizzer becomes less effective
• Opponent posts their far leg out wide for base when they feel the sweep coming (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Use your hip control grip to prevent the post, or switch to a back take by using the underhook to climb up their back as they defend the sweep
• Opponent flattens you out by driving their chest down and sprawling their hips back (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Maintain underhook and transition to knee shield half guard or pump your half guard to create space for re-establishing angle and sweep opportunity
• Opponent grabs your pants or ankle to control your sweeping leg (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Use your mobility to kick the leg free or switch to butterfly hook on the non-trapped side for alternative sweeping mechanics
• Opponent sits back and removes their weight before sweep completes (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Follow them up immediately using underhook to maintain connection, potentially transitioning to butterfly guard or single leg attack as they create distance

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Attempting sweep without sufficient angle creation
  • Consequence: You end up lifting opponent’s dead weight directly upward with no mechanical advantage, making sweep nearly impossible and exhausting your energy
  • Correction: Always establish 45-degree angle by moving hips away before initiating sweep. The angle is the foundation of all leverage-based sweeps
• Mistake: Underhook is too shallow or arm extends away from body
  • Consequence: Opponent easily whizzers or controls your arm, nullifying your primary sweeping lever and leaving you vulnerable to passes
  • Correction: Drive underhook deep with shoulder tight to opponent’s ribs. Keep elbow close to your own body to maintain structural strength
• Mistake: Failing to control opponent’s far hip
  • Consequence: Opponent easily posts their far leg for base, completely shutting down the sweep before it develops
  • Correction: Secure far hip grip early in setup and actively pull it toward you throughout the sweep to prevent posting
• Mistake: Sweeping with pure upper body strength rather than hip drive
  • Consequence: Technique becomes slow, telegraphed, and ineffective against larger opponents. Energy expenditure is excessive with low success rate
  • Correction: Generate power from hip elevation and rotation, using underhook as a guide rather than the primary force generator
• Mistake: Releasing underhook control too early during sweep completion
  • Consequence: Opponent escapes or scrambles away as you come on top, preventing you from securing dominant position
  • Correction: Maintain underhook throughout entire sweep and into top position. Use it to control opponent’s upper body as you establish side control
• Mistake: Poor timing - attempting sweep when opponent is postured up or weight is back
  • Consequence: Opponent’s base is too strong and they simply stand up or back away from attempted sweep
  • Correction: Time sweep when opponent is driving forward with committed pressure. Use their momentum against them rather than fighting their base

Training Progressions

Phase 1: Static Drilling (Weeks 1-2) - Underhook mechanics and angle creation Partner starts in stationary half guard top position. Practice securing deep underhook, creating proper angle, and establishing far hip control. Drill the bridge and load position repeatedly. Focus on body positioning and leverage points rather than completion. (Resistance: None)

Phase 2: Cooperative Sweep (Weeks 2-3) - Full sweep execution with timing Partner provides light forward pressure. Execute complete sweep from setup to top position, emphasizing smooth transitions between steps. Partner allows sweep to complete but maintains realistic body weight. Repeat 10-15 times per session focusing on technical precision. (Resistance: Light)

Phase 3: Progressive Resistance (Weeks 3-5) - Dealing with common counters Partner introduces specific defensive reactions (whizzer, far leg post, flattening). Practice recognizing and countering each defense. Start with partner announcing which defense they will use, then progress to random selection. Develop adaptive responses to each counter. (Resistance: Medium)

Phase 4: Live Drilling (Weeks 5-8) - Sweep chains and position maintenance Start from half guard bottom with partner defending intelligently. Must successfully sweep or transition within 60 seconds. Reset if opponent passes. Focus on chaining to other sweeps when underhook sweep is defended. Track success rates and identify patterns in failures. (Resistance: Full)

Phase 5: Positional Sparring (Weeks 8-12) - Integration with complete half guard system Five-minute rounds starting from half guard bottom. Partner can attempt passes while you work sweeps and submissions. Develop ability to create underhook opportunities from various half guard variations. Emphasize smooth transitions between offensive options. (Resistance: Full)

Phase 6: Open Sparring Application (Ongoing) - Timing and opportunity recognition in live rolling Actively seek half guard positions during normal sparring sessions. Practice recognizing optimal timing for underhook sweep versus other options. Develop intuitive feel for when opponent’s weight and position create sweep opportunities. Track success rates against various skill levels and body types. (Resistance: Full)

Variations

Butterfly Half Underhook Sweep: From butterfly half position with underhook established, use butterfly hook on non-trapped side to enhance sweeping power. The butterfly hook adds additional elevation and makes it easier to sweep larger opponents. (When to use: When opponent’s weight is distributed evenly or when you need additional leverage against bigger training partners)

Underhook Sweep to Back Take: When opponent successfully defends the sweep by basing hard with their far leg, use the underhook to climb up their back instead of forcing the sweep. Transition directly from failed sweep attempt to back control by maintaining underhook and inserting bottom hook. (When to use: When opponent’s base is too strong for sweep completion or when they whizzer your underhook)

Knee Shield Underhook Sweep: Maintain knee shield while securing underhook, using the shield to create and maintain distance before committing to sweep. Drop knee shield at the moment of sweep execution for maximum power. This variation provides better defensive structure during setup. (When to use: Against aggressive passers who maintain heavy pressure and when you need defensive insurance during setup phase)

Waiter Sweep Connection: If opponent removes their weight and sits back to defend underhook sweep, immediately transition to waiter sweep by posting on your elbow, extending trapped leg, and using free leg to hook behind their far knee while maintaining underhook control. (When to use: When opponent recognizes sweep and backs their hips away, creating space)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: Why is creating a 45-degree angle essential before executing the underhook sweep? A: The angle creates mechanical advantage by positioning your body perpendicular to your opponent’s center of gravity rather than directly underneath them. This allows you to sweep them over your body using leverage instead of attempting to lift their full weight vertically, which would be inefficient and require excessive strength. The angle also positions your underhook arm at the optimal trajectory for driving upward and forward.

Q2: What is the primary purpose of controlling your opponent’s far hip during the underhook sweep? A: Controlling the far hip prevents your opponent from posting their far leg out for base, which is one of the most common and effective defenses against this sweep. By pulling the far hip toward you, you restrict their ability to extend that leg for support while also helping to load their weight onto the sweeping trajectory. This grip essentially removes one of their primary defensive options before they can employ it.

Q3: How should you respond if your opponent successfully whizzers your underhook arm? A: When caught in a whizzer, you have several options: transition to the Old School Sweep by posting on your free hand and extending the trapped leg; move to deep half guard where the whizzer becomes less effective; or use the whizzer against them by climbing up their back for a back take opportunity. The key is to never fight the whizzer with strength, but rather redirect to a position where their overhook control becomes a liability rather than an advantage.

Q4: What timing principle makes the underhook sweep most effective? A: The sweep is most effective when executed as your opponent commits their weight forward with pressure. By using their forward momentum and pressure against them, you reduce the amount of force needed to complete the sweep and catch them with their weight already moving in a vulnerable direction. Attempting the sweep when they are postured up or sitting back requires you to generate all the movement yourself, making it much less efficient.

Q5: Why must the underhook be maintained throughout the entire sweep and into top position? A: Maintaining the underhook throughout ensures continuous control of your opponent’s upper body, preventing them from creating frames, turning away, or escaping during the transition. If you release the underhook too early, your opponent can use the scramble to recover guard or escape to neutral position. The underhook that initiates the sweep should be the same connection that controls them as you establish side control, creating a seamless chain of control from bottom to top position.

Q6: What role does hip elevation play in generating sweeping power? A: Hip elevation through bridging creates the primary power source for the sweep, allowing you to use your entire lower body musculature rather than just arm strength. By elevating your hips and rotating them toward the underhook side, you create a lever effect with your body serving as the fulcrum and your opponent being lifted over the top. This biomechanical principle allows smaller practitioners to sweep larger opponents by maximizing leverage and minimizing reliance on upper body strength alone.

Q7: How does the underhook sweep connect to other half guard attacks in a systematic approach? A: The underhook sweep serves as a central technique that connects to multiple other attacks: when defended with a whizzer it opens back takes; when opponent sits back it transitions to waiter sweep; when they flatten you it allows entry to deep half; when the far leg posts it can chain to butterfly sweeps or single leg attacks. This interconnected system means that every defense your opponent makes to the underhook sweep creates an opportunity for a different attack, embodying the principle of creating dilemmas from bottom position.

Safety Considerations

The underhook sweep is generally one of the safer techniques in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with minimal injury risk when executed properly. However, practitioners should be aware that explosive bridging can strain the neck if head position is incorrect - always keep your head tight to opponent’s body rather than bridging with an extended neck. When coming up on top, control your weight distribution to avoid driving knees into opponent’s ribs or face during the scramble. Training partners should tap the mat if they feel themselves being swept too aggressively and are unable to breakfall safely, particularly on hard surfaces. Beginners should practice breakfalls separately before drilling this sweep at full speed. As with all sweeps, be conscious of the training space and ensure sufficient room to complete the technique without rolling into walls, equipment, or other practitioners.

Position Integration

The Underhook Sweep from Half Guard represents a cornerstone technique within the modern half guard bottom system, serving as both a primary attacking option and a hub that connects to numerous other techniques. This sweep exemplifies the systematic approach to half guard play by creating a clear offensive threat that forces opponents to react, with each reaction opening pathways to additional attacks. When integrated into a complete half guard game, the underhook sweep works in conjunction with deep half entries, old school sweeps, back takes, and various submission attempts to create a web of interconnected threats. The technique also serves as an essential bridge between defensive half guard retention and offensive top game, providing a reliable method to reverse inferior position into dominant control. Advanced practitioners use the threat of this sweep to manipulate opponent reactions, setting up their preferred attacks by forcing predictable defensive responses. The underhook itself becomes a fundamental control position that appears throughout BJJ, making this sweep an excellent vehicle for developing general grappling concepts that apply far beyond half guard alone.

Related Techniques

• Old School Sweep - Alternative sweep when underhook is whizzered
• Deep Half Entry - Transition when opponent flattens you out
• Half Guard to Back Take - Follow-up when sweep is defended with strong base
• Waiter Sweep - Chain attack when opponent sits back to defend
• Butterfly Sweep - Related technique using similar mechanics with butterfly hooks
• Knee Shield Half Guard - Starting position variation for defensive structure
• Kimura from Half Guard - Submission threat that creates underhook opportunities
• Lockdown - Alternative leg control method in half guard system
• Underhook Control - Fundamental control principle underlying the technique
• Side Control - Ending position after successful sweep
• Hip Movement - Core principle for generating sweeping power
• Sweep Mechanics - Fundamental concept governing technique execution

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The underhook sweep from half guard represents a perfect example of leverage-based reversals that rely on systematic mechanical advantage rather than attributes. The critical element that most practitioners miss is the necessity of angle creation before force application - attempting to sweep an opponent while positioned directly beneath them violates basic principles of leverage and requires you to overcome their entire body weight with muscular effort alone. By establishing the 45-degree angle, you transform the sweep from a strength-based scramble into a technical application of rotational force around a fixed point. The underhook serves as your primary lever, but its effectiveness is entirely dependent on correct body positioning and hip mechanics. Understanding that the power comes from hip elevation and rotation, not arm strength, separates effective execution from ineffective struggling. This sweep also demonstrates the importance of control hierarchies - the underhook controls their upper body while the far hip grip controls their base, creating a two-point control system that neutralizes their defensive options systematically. When teaching this technique, I emphasize that every movement must have a mechanical justification; there are no wasted motions in efficient technique execution.
• Gordon Ryan: In competition, the underhook sweep from half guard is one of my highest percentage techniques because it creates genuine consequences that force opponents into predictable defensive reactions. The key to making this sweep work at elite levels is understanding that you’re not really trying to sweep everyone - you’re using the threat of the sweep to create back take opportunities and other attacks. When I establish that underhook, my opponent has to respect it immediately or they’re going over. Most high-level competitors will defend by whizzering, which is exactly what I want because that whizzer becomes my pathway to their back. The timing element is crucial in competition: you have to sweep when they commit pressure, not when they’re sitting back controlling distance. I’ve found that the most effective setup involves using my knee shield to create just enough distance that they have to drive forward to pass, and that forward pressure is when I drop the shield and execute the sweep. Against guys who are really good at defending the sweep, I’ll often use it as a setup for my deep half entries or as a way to force them into positions where I can attack their legs. The underhook sweep isn’t just one technique - it’s the foundation of an entire offensive system from half guard bottom.
• Eddie Bravo: The underhook sweep from half guard is fundamental, but in the 10th Planet system we look at it as a gateway to more advanced positions rather than an end in itself. What makes this sweep so valuable is that it forces your opponent to make choices, and every choice they make opens up something else for you. If they whizzer, you’re going to the back or transitioning into lockdown. If they base hard with their far leg, you can switch to the Old School or even hit an electric chair setup. The key is staying loose and creative with your movement - a lot of people get too rigid trying to force the sweep even when it’s not there. I teach my students to flow between the underhook sweep, deep half, and lockdown positions fluidly based on what the opponent gives them. One thing that’s underutilized is combining the underhook sweep with rubber guard grips when you’re in a gi or can control their posture - breaking their posture down with a high guard grip and then transitioning to the underhook sweep catches people off guard because they’re defending different threats. The sweep also sets up really nicely for leg attacks if you train no-gi; as you’re coming up on the sweep, there are opportunities to redirect into leg entanglements if you feel the sweep getting stuffed. Think of it as one tool in a complete system rather than an isolated technique.