| In order to fully understand the concept of | | | | This can set up many throws and sweeps. |
| leverage let's first look at a dictionary definition. | | | | Over and under hooks are primarily used to |
| defines Leverage as:the mechanical advantage or | | | | control the shoulders. If you raise one shoulder |
| power gained by using a lever.and | | | | higher than the other, the opponent is taken off |
| Positional advantage; power to act effectively. | | | | balance, and can then be thrown. |
| In Brazilian Jiujitsu, when we think of leverage, | | | | Hip throws and leg takedowns, whether single or |
| what we are talking about is using positional | | | | double legs, are about takingthe hips off balance. |
| advantage over strength as in the mount position | | | | The moment the hips are moved backwards of |
| against a stronger opponent and also we are | | | | sideways, the opponent can be taken off balance |
| talking about using techniques that use leverage | | | | and thrown or taken down. |
| over strength like in the arm bar. So that a | | | | One way to control the upper body is by moving |
| smaller man or woman can control and submit a | | | | to the side of our opponent's head, and driving |
| larger one. | | | | with our whole body, and pulling on the far knee. |
| Also in BJJ we are using the levers of the skeletal | | | | Another way is by grabbing the opponent in a |
| system, arms, hips, legs, joints, etc,... to use | | | | clinch, and pulling the head down and to the side |
| superior leverage over our opponents body and | | | | while forcing forward. |
| limbs. | | | | Besides under-overhook attacks, the easiest way |
| This is a basic explanation, but for our discussion | | | | that I use is just to pull one shoulder down while |
| here this is all we need. | | | | pushing the other shoulder back, whilst driving |
| Ultimately in BJJ we are using leverage to get our | | | | forwards. This will work on even large opponents. |
| opponents on the ground and control then submit | | | | Another example of this is using the spider guard. |
| them there. | | | | Using one foot on the shoulder or bicep, you push |
| Like in Judo, BJJ also uses leverage to control and | | | | that shoulder behind your opponent's head, while |
| throw an opponent. When you control the upper | | | | pulling the other arm deep into your guard twisting |
| body, the person can be taken off balance. And | | | | him sideways, leaving him off balance. |
| while there are many ways to get an opponent | | | | Many sweeps from the guard involve manipulating |
| off balance, they basically involve controlling a | | | | the hips to fold the opponent. Any sweep where |
| lever like the upper bodyto take the opponent off | | | | you move the hips, scissoring your legs, using |
| balance and execute a throw or sweep. | | | | hooks, tangling their legs or simply pushing the |
| In some combat sports like Muay Thai, Greco | | | | hips, most of these sweeps will include pulling their |
| Roman wreslting and MMA manipulating the upper | | | | upper body whether pulling the opponent's gi or |
| body through control of the head is common. | | | | arms. That basically applies to the majority of |
| When you manipulate the shoulders sufficiently | | | | guard sweeps. |
| you will be manipulating the upper body as well. | | | | |