Sweeps are a crucial part of your game, allowing you to reverse their position and move from bottom to top control. As a white belt, learning effective BJJ sweeps will give you an advantage in sparring, help you develop a more balanced game, and prevent you from getting stuck in bottom positions. If you’re wondering, what are the best sweeps for white belts? You have landed in the right place as this guide covers seven must learn sweep techniques every white belt should know.
1. Hip bump sweep
The Hip Bump Sweep is often the very first sweep white belts learn in BJJ, and for good reason. It’s simple, effective, and teaches the fundamental concept of using hip movement and momentum to off-balance an opponent. You’ll find that this sweep works best when your opponent postures up in closed guard, giving you the perfect opportunity to explode forward and take the top position. This technique is especially useful in both gi and no-gi situations.
Key Details:
- Start in closed guard.
- Sit up as your opponent postures, shifting your weight to one side.
- Use your hips to bump your opponent while controlling their arm.
- Roll over their base and land in mount.
2. Tripod sweep
A highly effective open-guard sweep, the Tripod Sweep takes advantage of your opponent’s stance and balance. This technique is great for transitioning from guard retention to a dominant position.
Key Details:
- Establish foot-on-hip and foot-on-ankle control.
- Use your grips to off-balance your opponent.
- Push with one foot while pulling their ankle to execute the sweep.
- Follow up by coming to a standing or passing position.
3. Scissor sweep
One of the first sweeps many white belts learn, the Scissor Sweep is effective and teaches essential mechanics of off-balancing an opponent.
Key Details:
- Start in closed guard, then transition to open guard.
- Use collar and sleeve grips to break your opponent’s posture.
- Position one shin across their body while the other leg stays planted.
- Execute a scissor-like motion to knock them over and land in mount.
4. Lumberjack sweep
The Lumberjack Sweep is one of those techniques that looks ridiculously easy on paper, but when you try it for the first time, you might find yourself wondering, why the hell isn’t this guy falling down? The trick lies in proper execution—timing, control, and leverage are key. This sweep works exceptionally well when your opponent stands up in closed guard, and if done right, it’s a smooth and effortless way to land yourself in mount.
Key Details:
- Grip your opponent’s ankles as they stand up.
- Drop your hips and use both feet to push their knees forward.
- As they fall, come up into mount or a strong passing position.
5. Butterfly sweep from half guard
Learn the Butterfly Sweep from Half Guard
A powerful technique from half guard, the Butterfly Sweep utilizes leverage and positioning to flip your opponent.
Key Details:
- Establish underhook control on one side.
- Position your butterfly hook under your opponent’s thigh.
- Use momentum and lift with your leg and hips.
- Roll your opponent over and land in top control.
6. Flower sweep
A beautiful and highly effective BJJ sweep, the Flower Sweep requires proper timing and leg coordination.
Key Details:
- Start in closed guard with a deep grip on the sleeve or pant leg.
- Open your guard and swing your leg in a circular motion.
- Kick your opponent’s base leg out while pulling their upper body forward.
- Use momentum to sweep them over and land in mount.
7. Basic X-guard sweep
Learn the Basic X-Guard Sweep
For those starting to experiment with open guard, the Basic X-Guard Sweep is an excellent introduction to X-guard concepts.
Key Details:
- Enter X-guard by placing your inside leg under your opponent’s thigh.
- Control their far leg and elevate their base.
- Use momentum and leverage to sweep them off balance.
- Come up into a dominant position.
Mastering BJJ sweeps as a white belt
BJJ is all about positional hierarchy, and sweeps play a crucial role in flipping the script on your opponent. The ability to reverse positions and move from bottom to top gives you a massive advantage in sparring and competition. Sweeps allow you to progress up the positional ladder—from guard to side control, mount, or back control—where you can start setting up submissions and dictating the pace of the match.Mastering these BJJ sweeps for white belts will help you develop a well-rounded guard game and improve your ability to control and transition in sparring. Sweeping isn’t just about technique—it’s about timing, leverage, and control.
Key takeaways:
- Always establish grips before attempting a sweep.
- Use your hips and legs rather than upper body strength.
- Focus on timing and opponent reaction.
- Drill sweeps frequently to improve efficiency in live sparring.
By consistently working on these fundamental sweeps, you’ll gain confidence in your guard game and set a strong foundation for your BJJ journey. For more detailed guides on sweeps and techniques, check out our technique library.
