Spider Guard Sweep

Also known as: Bicep Push Sweep · Spider Scissor · Overhead Spider Sweep (variation)

Use the sleeve-and-bicep tension like a lever: extend one arm, collapse the other, and steer your opponent over the side their posture just left.

Sweep · Gi only · Difficulty 3/5 · Usually learned at Blue belt

Starts from Spider Guard as the spider player → lands in Open Guard.

The details that make it work

1. One foot extends their arm fully while the other collapses or hooks — asymmetry creates the fall line.
2. Sleeve grips pull as feet push; their arms cannot post because you own both of them.
3. Sweep toward the collapsed side and use the sleeve to come up on top.

Where it goes wrong

• Pushing both biceps evenly, which just extends them into a stable plank over you.

How opponents counter it

• Strip one sleeve grip and stack the free arm through
• Yank the elbows back in a straight line to break the feet off

Is the Spider Guard 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

• Lasso Sweep
• Triangle Choke
• Omoplata
• De La Riva Sweep

All moves from Spider Guard · Back to Grapplepedia