The Tripod sweep is a fundamental move used throughout all levels of BJJ. Typically attacked from open guard, it uses the legs to trip the opponent backward. From here the guard player can get up to complete the sweep. Not to be confused with the sickle sweep, the tripod sweep focuses on creating a push-pull motion to off-balance the opponent. The Tripod sweep can be done in either Gi or Nogi, which of course, can also be used in MMA.
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How to set up the Tripod sweep
The Tripod sweep is usually done through various open guard positions. One example of this is the De La Riva guard. From here, the idea is to grab the opponent’s near sleeve or wrist in Nogi. This should be done with your far hand in the form of a cross grip. The next step is to bring the De La Riva hook outside of the leg entanglement and place it on the opponent’s nearside hip.
Whilst doing this you should hold the opponent’s nearside heel at the same time or in the Gi you can grip their pant leg. To complete the setup you need to bring your far leg behind their far leg either behind the knee or behind their ankle.
Finishing the Tripod sweep
When the Tripod sweep is set up, you can then use the position to attack the sweep. The sweep works by pulling the opponent’s arm forwards and away from the floor. This is to stop them from basing and shooting straight back up, so it’s important to control the nearside wrist at all times. Against an athletic, quick opponent you may get punished with a scramble if the wrist is poorly controlled.
At the same time, you should use your nearside ankle grip to pull forward to scoop their foot off the floor. The far leg can either be behind their knee or far ankle. This should also be scooping forwards to off balance the opponent. Remember when hitting the sweep, you should keep your toes flared to create optimal hooks. If the toes aren’t glued to the opponent as much as possible then the sweep will be less aggressive.
Because your limbs are pushing and pulling in different directions this will unbalance the opponent, with no option but to fall. Regarding the far leg, it’s your choice to put it behind the ankle or knee. It may be ideal to put it behind the ankle in case the opponent backsteps to defend the sweep. This is because the back step allows the opponent to put their foot on the floor and base. However, if your foot is following their ankle then this won’t be possible and will only add to the sweep. Although it’s personal preference, the foot on the ankle is probably better because of this.
Coming on top
After the opponent has been downed, the sweep is still not over. As mentioned, it’s imperative to keep hold of their wrist to stop them standing back up. Whilst holding the wrist you should then bring the foot on their hip outside of their leg and start to stand. It’s important to bring the foot outside of their leg as otherwise you can get caught in closed guard. Whilst you would still be in an advantageous position, the closed guard is also a dangerous place to be. Because of this, it’s ideal to end in a top half guard to stop the opponent from trapping you.
Elsewhere your other hand should control their far leg when finishing the sweep to stop them from standing. When you start to come on top you can then let go of their leg and use the hand to post and begin standing. From here you can let go of your grips and begin passing.
Using the Tripod sweep to submit people
Not only can the Tripod sweep be used to sweep, it can also be used to submit. Primarily, there are two key submissions available from the position. To begin with, we shall focus on the straight ankle lock. After using the sweep to put your opponent on the floor, you will already be holding their ankle from the initial sweep. From here, you can pretend to stand up in able to get your outside leg under the same leg that your hand is grabbing the ankle on.
At this point, you can create a standard leg entanglement to attack the straight ankle lock. For those who are into more advanced leg locks, you can also use this entry to create toeholds and heel hooks.
Elsewhere, the Tripod sweep can set up triangle chokes, albeit these aren’t as simple. After putting the opponent to the ground, you should keep the cross grip on their sleeve or hand. Whilst doing this, you should pull the opponent inward by the hand and butt scoot forwards to get closer to them.
From here, you should use the leg that hooked around their knee or ankle and kick it over their head. At this point you can connect your feet to create a diamond lock and enter into a triangle choke. Remember, it’s important to keep the posture broken with this move by holding onto the sleeve so the opponent cannot posture up and escape.
Final Thoughts
The Tripod sweep is often the first sweep taught from the open guard which proves its importance. It is simplistic and basic but also incredibly effective. Although simplistic, it can still be used by high level competitors to offer a sneak attack against their opponent’s. Not only this but it translates nicely in MMA and can reverse the position of the fight.
Purely from a striking perspective, it also allows heel kicks from the floor with the free leg as well. Because of this, the Tripod sweep should be a move learned by all as without it your open guard is substantially less effective.
