How to Do a Scissors Sweep in Mixed Martial Arts

The scissors sweep is a popular mixed martial arts technique for moving an opponent from full guard into a full mount. This involves shifting from a position where you are on your back with the opponent tied between your legs to a position where he is on his back with your sitting astride his torso. The scissors sweep requires perfect technique, impeccable timing and significant strength.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

1. Take advantage of your opponent trying to pass your guard. When you are on your back with your opponent wrapped between your legs and ankles locked, you have significant control over your opponent. He will try to get out from between your legs. When your opponent shifts his weight to one side for a passing maneuver, launch the scissors sweep.

2. Reach up and seize your opponent with both hands. The hand on the side of the body where he has shifted his weight should grab the elbow on that side. The other hand grabs your opponent behind his neck.

3. Release your guard by unhooking your feet. Quickly drop the leg on the side where your opponent shifted his weight and push it up against the side of his shin. Roll onto your side toward this leg. Bend your other leg and bring it underneath your opponent's abdomen. Hook the foot of that leg on your opponent's hip. All these actions must be done is a single fluid motion. They must also be fast since you are letting your opponent go and he could use that opportunity to improve his position.

4. Scissor your legs. Pull the leg lying next to your opponent's shin backward while you hook and kick the leg on his abdomen forward. This takes advantage of a basic principle of martial arts. A push and a pull together are more powerful than the two on their own. The power of your scissors sweep will flip your opponent over and roll him onto his back.

5. Keep rolling in the direction of your scissors. Keep pulling with your hand that is behind your opponent's neck. It will help you up. Throw your leg over your opponent so you are sitting on his torso with a knee on each side. You have now achieved a full mount. This is the most advantageous position in mixed martial arts.

6. Pull up with your hand on your opponent's elbow. This prevents