Scissors sweep

Scissors sweep is a descriptive name for the scissor sweep — the plural spelling of the same closed-guard reversal.

Etymology. “Scissors” and “scissor” name the same technique, after the scissoring action of the legs; the plural is the only difference. The image is the two legs closing like the blades of a scissors.

Mechanics. The sweep destabilises the opponent by scissoring the legs: one shin across the midsection and the other leg chopping low, the bottom player closes the scissors to break the opponent’s base forward and sideways, tipping them over the low leg as the off-balance carries them down.

Cross-reference. “Kani basami (wrestling analogue — distinct but related)” is a sibling alias. Full mechanical coverage on Scissor Sweep.