Move of the Day

Scissor Sweep from Closed Guard

The first sweep that teaches you to knock a post and ride to mount.

The scissor sweep is not a kick. It is a timing drill: break posture, flatten one of their posting legs, chop the other, and come up on top as one piece. Once it is clean, you will start seeing the same mechanic in every guard sweep you learn later.

The steps

1. 01Break posture. Cross-collar and same-side sleeve.
2. 02Open your guard, shrimp slightly to the sleeve side, and put your top shin across their belt (knee shield-ish, not a kick).
3. 03Bottom leg chops their posting knee on the collar side — like closing a pair of scissors.
4. 04Pull the collar toward the mat and the sleeve across their body as you chop.
5. 05Come up to mount or knee-on-belly. Do not stay on your back celebrating.

Details that matter

• If they are too heavy, bump first to make them post the hand you already own.
• Angle your shoulders 45 degrees. Square-on scissors are easy to stuff.
• Keep the collar pull the entire way to mount. The sweep dies when you let go early.

Video walkthroughs live on the BJJ Everyday YouTube.

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