Flower Sweep

  • BJJ
  • Sweeps
  • intermediate
  • Closed guard
  • 3 steps

Control a sleeve and a leg and swing your legs like a pendulum to sweep them over and come up on top. Also known as the Pendulum sweep or the Balloon sweep. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 3 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.

Step by step

  1. 01

    Control sleeve & leg

    Grip the same-side sleeve and reach under to control the far leg, breaking their base.

    Flower Sweep step 1 of 3: Control sleeve & leg
  2. 02

    Swing the legs up

    Open your guard and swing your legs upward like a pendulum to load their weight toward their head.

    Flower Sweep step 2 of 3: Swing the legs up
  3. 03

    Sweep over to mount

    Drive your legs over and roll them to the side, following the momentum up into mount.

    Flower Sweep step 3 of 3: Sweep over to mount

Key details

  • Control both the sleeve and a leg so they cannot post out.
  • Use a big pendulum swing of the legs, not just arm strength.
  • Follow the roll all the way up into the top position.

Common mistakes

  • Sweeping without trapping the posting arm or leg.
  • Using only the upper body instead of the leg swing.
  • Not following them up and staying on the bottom.

Related techniques

See it animated in DARCE

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