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Sweep · Half guard · Fundamental
John Wayne sweep (knee lever)
A sweep (half guard) you hit from Half guard and Knee shield / Z-guard, landing you in Side control (Yoko Shiho Gatame). Fundamental level.
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How to do it
Works from
Puts you in
- From bottom half guard, trap the arm on the side you want to roll them, holding it to your chest so they can’t post
- Get your top knee (your knee shield) across their hips or thigh as a lever
- Bridge and lift with the knee while you turn toward the trapped arm
- Follow them over as they roll and come up on top
How it connects
- Starts from
- Half guardKnee shield / Z-guard
- Also from Half guard
- Choi bar
Get it right
Key details
- They can’t post with an arm you are holding
- Lift with the knee and turn with your hips together
Common mistake
Trying to roll them toward the side where their hand is still free.
If they defend it
They post the free leg wide: switch to the old school sweep or take the back.
Safety and research
Read about itGrapplearts articlesBJJ Heroes
Practice
Quick checkJohn Wayne sweep (knee lever) quick check4 questions
My notes
Saved automatically.
More from these positionsOther techniques that start where this one does
Old school sweepSweep → Half guard (top)Knee shield sweepSweep → Half guard (top)Electric chair sweepSweep → Half guard (top)Triangle (Sankaku Jime)Submission · ChokeGuillotineSubmission · ChokeKimura (Gyaku Ude Garami)Submission · Shoulder lockKimura trap back takePass or back take → Back controlBack take from the dogfightPass or back take → Back control