The First Sweep You Should Learn from the Half Guard

This is the best sweep to start with when you're trying to build an offensive half guard game. It's highly effective and it sets up many other sweeps and attacks. Get the app at: itunes.apple.c... (iTunes store for iPhone and iPad)
play.google.co... (Google Play Store for Android)
www.amazon.com/... (Amazon App Store for Kindle, etc.)

[@kkattau2020]

Stephan, I'm a 3rd degree WB, we are drilling half-guard moves. I keep getting killed by these bigger guys who are blue belts. I Practiced this move on my submission dummy all day today before class. Worked like a charm ! You the man !

[@MachoMaamRandallSandwich]

Do you find submission dummies useful?

[@joshuasmith6346]

Dude i did this on a blue belt the 1st day. Of course he got a bunch of submissions on me but I was happy with the sweep and I even got a rear naked choke on him

[@kameronoleary520]

haha 3rd "degree" isnt that for black belts?

[@TheOneBadAssGamer]

@@kameronoleary520 i mean yes but degrees, stripes pretty much the same thing tbh

[@xqluziv]

Im a out of shape 30year old that has recently started with bjj and it has changed my life completely! Thanks for great educational videos Stephan!

[@victormuh]

I tried this during sparring against a bigger, stronger sparring partner. It worked like a charm. Thanks, Stephan.

[@steovblyth1]

ive been training mma for around year and half with several fights and no losses to date. wen i work my grappling its always in the gi, which is good but it doesnt imitate fighting, unless its straight jitz. these no gi tutorials are very helpful for me for a few reasons. and ur triangle escape vid really helped me out in a fight recently so thanks. appreciate the free content.

[@northfellow]

Thank you for that Stephan! Grabbing the foot is my favorite way to sweep from half guard and the details that you just showed will make it 400% more effective. Gracias amigo!

[@ryanm6828]

Your videos are simply the best ! So easy to understand and your clear calm precise instructions from various angles makes it even better. Thank you !

[@richsocaplaya]

Then notes on the bottom are very helpful. Just in case I want to take notes of it and try it at my gym. Great idea Steph.

[@StephanKesting]

You are very welcome!

[@pcprinciple3774]

What's this called!!!???

[@JL-ro6xg]

@@pcprinciple3774 it’s called “ you are very welcome “ sweep

[@Joaquin-mp8ub]

thats a sweet one

[@kirillwickstrm8237]

Pulled this off 3 or 4 times in my first tournament last week. Thanks a lot for these vids dude!

[@MegaHitman666]

These stuffs are GOLD; Thanks for sharing.

[@forteastro6996]

His moves perfectly fits my body and style. Epic.

[@minasz]

A basic sweap but works very good to get in a better situation.

[@dtikvxcdgjbv7975]

Amazing. So thoroughly explained.

[@treissete]

0:29 to 0:39 was a critical detail I was missing from this sweep. Glad you showed it. This seems very similar (except for this detail) to 10th Planet's Old School?

[@lifesameme8739]

Thanks Stephan will have to watch this before training. I forgot about the bump detail so I always ended up under someone without being able to get a good grip on their foot

[@FCEBKconcealedweapon]

very good teacher very good stuff

[@COMB0RICO]

Thanks from Texas!

[@bigblueowx]

Stephan.....i'm a happily married str8 male....i just wanted to tell u 2 things...#1 that thank u big time for having the BEST step by step tutorials ANYWHERE; and #2....i looooove u maaaan! lol

[@aaronschubert6320]

Love your instructionals Stephan, you're a BOSS!!!

[@OpenPhoenix]

Never done this before but i'll definitely add this to my grappling. You're the man Stephen!

[@josealvira2384]

Awesome video, been looking for this escape for weeks now. I'll try to do it tomorrow on judo practice.

[@thesensei]

This will work well!

[@msmithtkd73bjj]

Nice. I like to get up on my elbow and then drive in...sometimes posting the leg to drive but it depends on how they defend

[@jonatancarmen5653]

thank u máster. you are easy to understand. you help me a lot

[@ivelllino]

The beauty of simplicity :)

[@MoonLight-zd3sb]

Beautiful sweep Kesting thanks!

[@angelsanchezvalz4613]

Very useful, worked perfectly, thanks Stephan

[@juanmacedo8005]

Hey, Stephen, I don't like watching instructional videos made by non Brazilians since I'm a Brazilian guy, but this is the 2nd video made by U that I watch and I really like it. I feel I'm a lukcy one cos this was the first sweep from the half guard I learnt and once u learn this one, it bevomes easy to understand and aply a lot of other sweeps from this position. There are a lotta concepts involved like shouder under opponent's armpit and so on... Congratz 4 the video and sorry about my English

[@LarsAndersenFrihed]

Excellent!

[@jardani-jovonovich]

Thanks Stephen .. great tutorial ..

[@ShellySummers]

Very cool comparing this with Eddie's old school technique. great break down as usual Stephan. :)

[@LearnsubmissionsHere]

You always put out quality stuff.

[@Ryukk1984]

Quality sweep, cheers Mr Kesting!

[@stihlcarven]

Thanks for the vids! I get your emails on my phone daily! I'm a student at Gracie Barra, Team ColoradoSprings. I enjoy using moves like this on my training mates! They often take the same classes I do, so they know what I know! Bringing new things to training gives me an edge especially on open mat days!My mount escapes are weak, but are getting better with every new technique I train! Thanks for breaking it down! You should charge! Don't though! lol.

[@princearjuna6456]

just like my Uncle Renatch Laranja he say, donch grabba da ankle, grabba da chooooeee

[@commentking4625]

Bad ass! Thank you 🙏 sir

[@prodigy511]

thank you sir!

[@irwansusilo-rv5cd]

Thank you very much.

[@gozkillergoz9656]

Excellent sweep thx for the lesson :)

[@gasparandrei]

that was beautiful sir

[@CaseyPlexy1]

well I plan on using this today, thanks

[@MartyMoose1611]

thanks; I'm learning a lot from these videos :)

[@sdzachar]

GOOD STUFF STEVE....

[@mephistosteiner8064]

Your vids are awsome and so is the app!

[@skateordie827]

great vid, you explain technique very well. thanks for the help!

[@AbedKhriz]

great sweep, im going to try it out

[@Seyseyprod]

Thanks stef

[@gpcm9226]

Brilliant

[@divayht]

Hello Stephan. Thank you so much for this video !! I absolutely love this sweep, I tried it like 15 times in sparring and I have a decent success rate with it. It sometimes fails because of two things. First is: the guy takes the d'arce grip and stops me. Second is: I can't grip my hands together when the guy is big and has the whizzer, so I can't elevate him. Do you have some advice about that ?

[@sleepykid156]

Can't wait to try this both in my BJJ and my Judo club!

[@chaos_omega]

Oldschool... ;)

[@SocialShortcuts]

Question for Stephan or anyone else who knows, when you grab the foot you have your thumb pressed on his foot. Is that done intentionally to control the foot better? Or just a random habit you have? Great channel btw been very helpful.

[@Lessonswithsenseimatt]

Thank You 💪❤️😎

[@Lessonswithsenseimatt]

Short, Sweet, Educational ☝️

[@zidaneballer]

eddie's old school for sure 10p4l

[@vvvv999vvv]

Solid!

[@killianoshaughnessy1174]

Holy shit, just what I I need!

[@RJLicksRocks]

Wow this helped me alot, Thanks!

[@josephavellino1275]

Stephen, you open this video by mentioning that the person in your guard wraps your arm making getting to his back more difficult and thus why you go for the sweep here. Is there a "predecessor" video to this that shows you going to his back as you reference in the opening of the video? Thanks for all the great instruction.

[@pearljam18259]

+Joseph Avellino first off NEVER GET CROSSFACED IN HALFGUARD! thats where the guy wraps his far arm around ur head or neck and flattens u out. ALWAYS try to stay on ur side I like to start half guard on my side facing toward the oppenent keeping my elbows tight to body and ready to block the crossface so as to retain the under hook option and keep from getting crossfaced and flattened. 2nd if u do commit to the near underhook make sure its deep or u will get kimura'd and if the guy doesn't throw in a whizzer at this point u can just chuck his arm forward and ur so close to the back u can pretty much always lock in a "seatbelt" over/under grip already maybe ull need to get onto a knee first. but yea thats two very fundamental techniques there----- 1.) always block the crossface in halfguard so u can stay on ur side 2.) always try to keep ur elbows tucked in close to ur body (well not ALWAYS) but it is a very defensive thing to do and makes it hard to launch attacks for the opponent. P.S. even in no gi most of the time if u place ur palms to ur throat where ur jugular veins are u can neutralize a blood choke and if ur necks strong enough u can neutrilize most air chokes by doing this and flexing ur neck...... just dont try it against triangle chokes theyre too powerful

[@stereosonix2000]

SOLID!

[@ronaldo1969]

Nice angles

[@civilized5734]

very nice

[@infiniteascensionmartialar5713]

Hey Stephan, I'm not sure if someone has already mentioned it... but I noticed that you use two different hand positions when you pick the knee after you've already established control of the foot and scissor your legs out. When you demonstrate the technique you pick the outside of the knee and you reach out to pick it, but when I saw you actually implementing the technique in your live reps segment you'd instead underhook and pick the knee. Is there a specific hand positioning you suggest is more effective out of those two, or is it merely personal preference? At first I was thinking it'd be better to just far pick the knee (the way you originally demonstrate), because it'd be easier to transition to the Rollunder Sweep that you show. What do you think? Sorry for the long comment.

[@nicholastaylor6563]

don't be like me forget to pull your partner up to your ear.. Have had a lot of success with the foot grab, but I forgot a major detail one night.. I tried to finish the sweep while still on my side and not far enough underneath then trying to push with my inside leg still in front of me with knee and foot still on ground .. tore my LCL and meniscus (didn't properly warm up, young and in decent shape BTW) back to training and corrected my mistake. Still make favorite despite my setback..

[@nicholastaylor6563]

Thanks for the video!

[@upfrontmmax69]

i agree with lesdoodis121. Much better to do this with lockdown/oldschool. That open half guard would get passed in a split second in my school.

[@TonyFernandezjkdjedi]

sick

[@rolandotoroacuna]

perfeito. muito texnico. dez.

[@northfellow]

Old school sweep.

[@fightfiles]

looks like one who is really strong may even be able to rip that foot out and make a move towards the back. That is, if you happen to be training with someone you completely outmatch in strength

[@lamassu8479]

when you're controlling the foot and go to side, if you keep control of the foot can you get mount easier that way?

[@HiddenSamuraiMA]

Great move..but question professor. Would the first sweep from 1/2 not be the rollover when they wiz and push into you? Then this is used when they counter it?

[@计拓-b9r]

cool！

[@avivato1]

buenas tardes , hay algunos videos subtitulados en espanol?

[@davewinston4304]

Hit this on sparring but not perfect though i forgot to underhook and cup the knee but none the less i swept XD

[@MaxLohMusic]

What is the correct followup if they sprawl their left leg away such that you can no longer grab the foot

[@CerebralOnslaught]

I usually shoot for an underhook on the sprawled leg to go into single legged X guard, then X guard. Continuing the same movement to do the basic X guard sweep on the weak plane.

[@hotshot940]

Stephan, do you ever travel to do seminars?

[@forteastro6996]

I always ball up in half guard so I'm always ready to sweep but I hardly ever go for submissions from half guard.

[@SuperSportsBro]

Hello Stephan. I've bought the two apps you've made and think they are great. However there seem to be a problem. When ever I've finished watching a technique and click the "Keys to this technique" bottom, the menu screen continues to appear in the middle of the screen and makes it impossible to lean all the details. It's not possible to get it to disappear without ending the video. Have you heard about this problem before? I have a Samsung Galaxy S2. Thanks..

[@highsoflyify]

how to prevent Darce(/Brabo) chocke from here? Sometimes when I get deeper under my partner (just like Stephan says) to come closer to his legs, my partner gets into the Brabo/Darce Chocke and forces me to defend (so I can´t work on the sweep any longer). What can I do ?

[@PTS.MT.Goalie.BJJ.Andrew]

seems like it.

[@benjaminhankinson4749]

I've always been told that putting one arm inside the legs is dangerous because it sets up your opponent to submit you via triangle choke. Can you explain why there is no risk here?

[@bobbykerat9476]

Yes but he's controlling the right leg with both legs and arms so the top guy can't lock the triangle

[@benjaminhankinson4749]

Bobby Kerat Ah, yes, I see. Thank you.

[@911firstman]

Bobby Kerat At the second figure, as soon as you lift your opponent, i believe that there is a window of opportunity for him to wrap his left leg around your neck, because you are still busy with lifting him up and controlling his hips. am I right? ( I am talking about 0:39 )

[@911firstman]

Now ı get it :D keep your head on the floor :D :D

[@MegaJonnyrockets]

you escape to become more under him to grab the foot, is that considered Deep Half guard ?

[@ElArmino2]

Come to seminar in Bosnia&Herzegovina we want you ;) Greetings Pretorian MMA team

[@chamboyette853]

I am a huge fan of Stephan Kesting, not because of the moves he shows, but because his his head looks so much like an egg. I would love to rub it like a cristal ball.

[@Gekko9747]

Wouldn't you just take the back at that point? Unless side control position is your game

[@210189jason]

oldschool

[@jonathancowan978]

This looks a lot like the Old School Sweep by Eddie Bravo.

[@nonyabizness2550]

What if they post thier leg out so you can not reach it.

[@xTheMythTheLegendx]

i swept my black belt master with that move. then once i swept him he quickly ended me haha, but still! i use it all the time on blue and purples.

[@Gammanoize]

Can you en that easely with an armbar?

[@tempss]

yes, but is it wise to?

[@SmokesOnMe]

I don't usually like this sweep, but I have and will take it if it's clearly available. Is this your favorite sweep from halfguard?

[@cornfedninja]

ossssss

[@kobe51]

Old school...

[@forteastro6996]

Is it possible to do jiujitsu with a torn knee?

[@mdavis1992]

do you wear an earguard while rolling? your ears seem fine

[@jakexdex]

what if your opponent does not have a foot?

[@BOLANZ]

Osu!

[@Immortal-ironic-fist]

How punch safe is this?

[@MegaJonnyrockets]

thats a deep half?

[@DevilFrog61]

What happens when his free leg is way out to the side and impossible to grab...

[@chaos_omega]

Go for Electric Chair, Plan B or go to full guard.

[@SmigGames]

What's the name of this sweep? Calling it "The First Sweep You Should Learn from the Half Guard" is a little cumbersome. Thanks.

[@Mosha1956]

1:31 footgrab sweep