3 Reasons to Use Overhead Sweep in BJJ
Stepping into BJJ is one of the most challenging yet exhilarating feelings in the world. It changes your lifestyle completely and offers you the best way to handle your body that otherwise might not be possible. The best thing about BJJ is that, unlike other martial arts where your main focus is one strike, punching people, and making sure that you have full control over the situations, BJJ allows you to control the body of your opponent in the best way possible. From grappling styles to defense and even the guard style, you will get to know various variations that will allow you full control of your opponent. This is not just limited to basic movement but extends to gaining submission and keeping the individual under full check till you gain the power.
Why do You need To Master The Sweep?
As a BJJ fighter, you will come across different grappling styles and guarding styles. However one of the most famous and effective methods is the sweeping style. Sweep is a very important part of the BJJ game and it was used even back in the Japanese Jiu-Jitsu time as well. This ensures that you stay offensive in all conditions when you are playing the guard. For the opponent, sweep works as a constant threat because it might leave the opponent defenseless. Also, when the opponent knows that you will be able to use the sweep, there is a high chance that he will stick to the defense rather than playing on the defensive style. This reduces your chance of feeling lost or playing on the dens style so you know that you will be in full control in all conditions.
Sweeps have different variations and almost the variations in the sweep are equally important and effective. One of the most common yet most effective sweeps is the overhead sweep style. This style of sweep helps you completely detonate your opponent and he is left with no solution but to give up. With the help of this article, we will look at some of the basic overhead sweep styles. We will explore the technique so you can easily master each step, we will then look at the variations so you can change it when needed and how you want to tackle the opponent.
What Is The Sweep And Its Technique?
A sweep is a controlling method that is mainly used by the fighter to convert his guard standpoint to a completely dominant standpoint. For delivering a very successful sweep you need to make sure you are in complete control of your balance, and posture and that you have time to complete the sweep without losing your leverage. Most of the fighters in BJJ are now using guard style right from the beginning. This might seem like a smart idea but it completely makes the fight one-sided. For the fighters in BJJ, playing guard leads them to a more offensive style. There are so many different reasons fighters are now opting for the solid sweep style as compared to other styles like guard or defense.
The sweep allows you to have a much better position and offer you more room to work. Since you will be using your leverage there is a high chance that you will get to stay in full control rather than attacking your opponent right away. For a successful game in guard style, your focus needs to be on the angle, grip, and style you are choosing. Although most people believe that guard is not a position that will gain your full control and leverage over your opponent, it offers you a good place to start. On the contrary, if you choose a sweep style, you will be dumping your opponent on the side and taking a full heads-on approach because the opponent might not be expecting a sweep.
Overhead Sweep
Now that we have talked about the overhead sweep so much, it is only fair to know the technique and its use individually. This is a method where you will be using your body by laying down under the opponent. Since you will be under the G center, a simple flip will get them somewhere to lose the overhead spot. This will usually lead them to a complete flip right away.
There are so many different guard styles that can be used as the initial point, yet the most used guard style is the inside guard style. Depending on the guard style, you can shift your body into a different configuration that will be used for unbalancing the opponent by using the sweep. To start, you will need to get your grip, most people use the collar and sleeve grip which works the best. However you can choose the one you like the most, then you will slide under the opponent like you are laying under the center of gravity. Now, with just one powerful and swift move, you will have to lift the opponent and do a backflip for the finish.
Collar Sleeve Guard to Sweep
For this sweeping style, you will start with the solar sleeve guard and then get the grip by using the lasso for better control. Then you will use the grip to move toward the hip. The goal is to break the posture of the opponent and then push them with your foot by putting pressure on the hip and tugging the sleeve. Now, after this just get into the triangle choke and wrap your legs around the neck of the opponent and shift to a different angle.
Most people use the overhead sweep as an alternative to choke. In case the opponent gets to the inside space, you can use the de La Riva guard. This will help you work on the DLR hook to transition into the sweep eventually.
Attack Chain
One of the most controversial, difficult yet effective methods is to use rotation sweeps for submission style. This can be a little challenging for beginners because it requires a lot of conversation and transitions at the same time. Most experts learn the position-based defense so they do not think but rather execute right away. This will require a lot of coordination and practice of execution. You also need to lift the opponent for a back roll and then execute everything critically for a more confident style of the roll.
You will start by the entry point for elevating the opponent and then you can do the same every time you focus on the smooth technical movement. Finally, add the backward roll and then bring the opponent up a little to the elevated position. This can be a little dangerous so training and mastering the skill is very important before you use it in a fight.
Bottom Line
To sum it all up, there is no doubt that this is one of the most effective styles that will not only restrict your opponent but it will also offer your leverage over your opponent. However, the major issue is that most people do not use this method because it is risky and requires a lot of practice if nothing goes wrong you will not only be injuring yourself but you might end up injuring the opponent. However, considering that you will be winning the game, just a little practice and focusing on the technique is essential.
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