Flower Sweep

Also known as: Pendulum Sweep · Muni Plata Setup (adjacent) · Flour Sweep

Swing one leg like a pendulum into their armpit while chopping their posted leg away — momentum, not strength, rolls them over into mount. Also the classic setup swing for the guard armbar.

Sweep · Gi & No-gi · Difficulty 2/5 · Usually learned at White belt

Starts from Closed Guard as the guard player → lands in Mount.

The details that make it work

1. Control a sleeve/wrist and the same-side pant leg or ankle so they cannot post.
2. Swing the far leg down and around like a pendulum, then UP into their armpit as your other leg chops their knee.
3. Your hips leave the mat during the swing — the sweep happens on the diagonal, over their trapped knee.

Where it goes wrong

• Swinging flat without lifting the hips, which just rocks you in place.

How opponents counter it

• Wide base and posture before the pendulum builds
• Free the trapped ankle grip

Is the Flower Sweep legal in competition?

Legal in all major rulesets at all levels (IBJJF, ADCC, sub-only). Rules change — always confirm against the current official rulebook for your event.

Related techniques

• Hip Bump Sweep
• Scissor Sweep
• Armbar from Closed Guard

All moves from Closed Guard · Back to Grapplepedia