BJJ Meregali Sweep: Many people believe that Nicolas Meregali is the finest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu contender competing right now. Gordon Ryan claims that Meregali’s grappling abilities are just growing more sophisticated and far-reaching, making it more difficult for his rivals to catch up in the years to come. Meregali is still relatively new to submission grappling (No-Gi BJJ), but his ability to submit elite opponents outside of their squad is already evident. We will discuss the Meregali sweep in BJJ today.
Nicholas Meregali: Who Is It?
One of the best BJJ competitors of all time, Nicholas Meregali is a multiple IBJJF World Champion and is well-known for his Grand Slam accomplishment as a coloured belt. Using his aggressive Jiu-Jitsu style and complex guard philosophy, Meregali has consistently had a high submission rate throughout his career rather than trying to work around the point system. After joining John Danaher’s New Wave Jiu-Jitsu team in 2022, Nicholas has focused exclusively on No-Gi matches.
You might also be interested in reading this: What is Kesa Gatame Pin in BJJ?
How the Meregali Sweep In BJJ Is Done?
Let’s first examine how the lasso and spider guard are used in the Meregali sweep. Starting in the open guard stance, place both of your feet on their hips and begin by firmly grasping the opponent’s right collar with your right hand and their left sleeve with your left. To enter the spider guard, place your right foot on the opponent’s right bicep.
Place your left toe over the left arm of your opponent to execute a shallow lasso with your left foot. Shoot your shallow lasso (left leg) deep between your opponent’s legs to execute the sweep. Simultaneously, place your right foot on the mat and draw your opponent towards you with your lasso hook while pressing them sideways for the sweep with your right hand on their neck.
Once you’ve swept your opponent, move your right hand from their neck to a two-on-one hold on their left sleeve to finish with an armbar. To complete the armbar, pull the arm and thrust your hip in. Landing on top and putting your knee on your tummy is an additional option. Release the grip on your left sleeve after sweeping, and use your left hand to post on the mat. Raise your right knee to the opponent’s stomach while holding onto your right collar grip.
The Breakdown of the BJJ Meregali Sweep
It is crucial to comprehend Meregali’s entry into the deep lasso guard and why in order to execute the sweep with effectiveness. Meregali usually establishes control over his opponents and defends against toreando with a deep lasso. Applying a cross-collar sleeve as the opponent tries to pass is another great illustration of when to use the deep lasso.
To go from a defensive to an attacking cycle, consider using the deep Lasso. When employing the deep lasso hook, the Meregali sweep may be a good choice. It may be an opportunity to go on the attack and apply a deep lasso if the opponent passes the guard when they are standing with their hips up and their body bent forward. It offers a firm hold on the arm of the opponent, which may be used to disrupt their stance, especially when facing off against passers who stand guard.
Meregali likes to move his lasso leg from under the opponent’s armpit to under the opponent’s hips, assuming that the opponent maintains their high hips either voluntarily or as a result of having their posture assaulted. This, like how a sumi gaeshi is performed, makes the sweep easier to do. Ideally, Meregali completes the sweep with a lasso version that is more straight-legged. Opponents may swiftly respond by shifting levels, reducing their base, and retreating, albeit it is not always a simple choice.
Meregali closes the gap when this occurs by pushing his knee in towards his chest and piling the opponent on top of his hips. After that, he kicks upward to complete the sweep. When necessary, Meregali may occasionally use his near-side collar grip as a frame. The grip may be utilised both offensively, by breaking the opponent’s posture and pushing them in the direction needed to finish the sweep, and defensively, by stopping the opponent’s guard pass.
When your opponent is pressing forward, use the collar grip to drive them back, and when you want to do a sweep, use your other hand to control their sleeve. Meregali occasionally uses a sleeve grip, also known as a spider grip, to control the opponent’s posting hand instead of grabbing the near collar since it can be a useful counter to the sweep.
Meregali also employs a gripping technique in which he leverages his opponent’s collar to neutralise their posting hand and use it against them by over-hooking their arm. After that, he sweeps the opponent away from having the opportunity to post on the mat. The idea behind all the variants to control the opponent’s arm, sleeve, or collar is the same: take away their posting hand.
Meregali typically utilises his free leg as a floater before preparing the deep lasso or once it is in place. This implies that he rests on the opponent’s hip or biceps or applies a DLR hook with his other leg. It facilitates keeping a safe distance or switching between open guards. You may utilise your left leg to generate an angle by planting or letting the opponent’s hip out, assuming you have the deep lasso with your right leg. It may be used as a butterfly hook or as a lever to drive into the ground.
It’s important to keep in mind that in order to prevent your guard from being smashed, you must either square up to your opponent or place yourself slightly to the right of them when conducting the sweep.
In conclusion
It may be quite beneficial to understand how to apply various hooks on your opponent using your legs in BJJ. It facilitates utilising different sweeping methods or dominating the opponent. Develop your capacity to look for sweeps from various guard spots in order to switch defensive positions and win.
