Sit-up guard
Learn sit-up guard: you sit tall on a posted hand, with a grip and a hook. You will learn the classic sweep, the reverse roll and when to go to butterfly or stand up.
Sit up with a post
Sit-up guard: you sit up facing them, one hand posted on the mat behind you. Your other hand holds their collar or the back of their head, and one foot hooks behind their leg.
The post carries your weight, so your hips can lift and drive forward.
- Head above your hips.
- Chest close to theirs.
- Hips lifted a little off the mat.
The classic sweep
Use it when their weight sits back on their heels.
- Sit tall: post behind, grip the collar or head, hook the leg on the grip side.
- Feel their weight sit back.
- Pull the grip and drive your hips forward off the post.
- They fall over the hooked leg. Come up on top and settle.
Your right hand is posted. Your left hand holds their collar. Your left foot hooks their right leg, the leg on your grip side.
The reverse roll
Use it when they stop the classic sweep by driving forward into you.
- Wrap their back or belt and keep the hook.
- Fall toward your post side.
- Roll over that shoulder, not over your head.
- Bring them over and come out on top.
Read their weight
| What they do | Your move |
|---|---|
| Sit back on their heels | Classic sweep |
| Drive forward into you | Reverse roll |
| Come in close, chest to chest | Second hook in, go to butterfly guard |
| Stand up and step away | Technical stand-up |
| Push you so your hips drop to the mat | Fix your posture first |
In the classic sit-up sweep, what does most of the work?
Butterfly or stand up
Sit-up guard links to two other places. If they close in, put the second hook in and play butterfly guard.
Loading 3D view
If they close in, put both hooks in for butterfly guard. Butterfly Guard in the library ›
If they step back out of your hooks, there is nothing to sweep. Use the post and your planted foot for a technical stand-up, a safe way to stand up.
They stand and step back, and your hook slides off. You keep your weight on the post, lift your hips, swing your free leg back and stand. You face them on your feet.
Common mistakes
- Pulling the grip but never lifting your hips.
- Rolling straight back over your head.
- Rolling when they are not driving forward.
- Taking your post off the mat.
- Sweeping with no hook on their leg.
- Lying back flat when they back away.
Train it on the Path
Reading is the first step. The Sit-up guard unit has 5 short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.
Sit-up guard is part of the Purple belt, included in Rolla Plus. Start free with Foundations and the white belt.