YR Sports Lab
You are sitting in butterfly guard, your opponent leans over you, you straighten his arm, jam your shoulder into his armpit, and a moment later he rolls over your head. The skeleton of that motion is a rear sacrifice throw that has existed in judo for a very long time: Sumi Gaeshi. This guide covers its judo definition first, then the shoulder crunch version commonly taught from butterfly guard, and finally timing, counters and IBJJF scoring.
1. Origins and Story: From Judo’s Original 40 Throws to Butterfly Guard
Sumi Gaeshi (隅返) is usually translated as corner throw or corner reversal. Wikipedia lists it as one of the original 40 throws developed by Jigoro Kano, in the fourth group of the traditional Gokyo-no-Nagewaza, Dai Yonkyo, and still among the current 67 Kodokan throws, classified as a sacrifice technique (sutemi-waza). The IJF teaching manual, following the Kodokan classification list of 1 April 2017, groups it with Tomoe Nage, Hikikomi Gaeshi, Tawara Gaeshi and Ura Nage as the five rear sacrifice techniques (ma-sutemi-waza). Apart from Kano, we found no verifiable inventor or founding year, so we do not invent an origin story and only write what is on record.
The Kodokan dictionary defines it as breaking the opponent’s balance to the front or right front corner, then falling backwards while catching the instep of your right foot under and behind his left knee or thigh, lifting him and throwing him over your head. Wikipedia words it a little differently: grip the clothing below the collar, plant a foot or knee against the opposite upper thigh while avoiding the groin, then roll backwards so the opponent goes over. What both share is falling backwards and using the leg to send the opponent over your head. For a related technique, see our Tomoe Nage guide.
Gordon Ryan and ADCC 2019
The BJJ world links this technique with Gordon Ryan. A bjjcoach teaching write-up labels the shoulder crunch version “Popularized by Gordon Ryan”, and BJJEE (2022/07/25) says Ryan used the butterfly guard Sumi Gaeshi to sweep Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida at ADCC 2019.
What other sources can confirm: Wikipedia records that Ryan won both the -99 kg and absolute divisions at ADCC in September 2019 (Anaheim, USA), that Buchecha was among his absolute opponents, and lists a win on 2019/09/29. Gracie Magazine records the result as a 0-1 penalty and writes that Ryan “swept early on, before the points kicked in”, but it does not name the technique. So “Ryan swept Buchecha with Sumi Gaeshi” is stated explicitly by only one source, BJJEE, and the “popularized” label comes from a single teaching write-up. Treat it as common BJJ lore, not as settled fact.
2. Technique Breakdown: Standing Judo Version and Butterfly Guard Shoulder Crunch
The same name looks different in the two settings. The judo version is a standing throw, while the BJJ version usually starts from seated butterfly guard and aims for a sweep. The shoulder crunch steps below are compiled from the bjjcoach and BJJEE write-ups, which differ slightly in detail; differences are noted.
| Stage | What you do | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | The opponent’s arm is extended above your head (ideally his hand on the mat) and your head is beside his, not directly under it | bjjcoach |
| ① Setup | From butterfly guard, attempt a “failed arm drag”, dragging the arm toward your own same side instead of your far hip; he usually postures up and retrieves the arm, so pull your knee to your chest to bring his hand to the mat above your head | bjjcoach, BJJEE |
| ② Crunch | Lace your arm through his to elbow depth with no gap between your elbow and your head, and lock your hands; keep his head beside yours. BJJEE words it as elbow above his shoulder and your shoulder pressed into his armpit so he cannot bring the arm back | bjjcoach, BJJEE |
| ③ Lift | bjjcoach: first push toward the side opposite the sweep to draw a push-back, then use your inside arm and butterfly hooks to lift his head and body toward the sweep side. BJJEE: elevate him with the leg on the same side as the crunched arm | bjjcoach, BJJEE |
| ④ Keep the elbow | Keep the elbow high throughout so he cannot post the trapped hand on the mat as he rolls | bjjcoach |
The biggest difference between the two versions is the fulcrum and the lift: the Kodokan version levers with the instep behind the opponent’s knee or thigh, while the shoulder crunch version first locks the arm into your shoulder and armpit and then lifts with the butterfly hooks. In other words, the latter attaches judo’s “fall back and send him over” idea to the arm-control logic of seated BJJ guard. To sharpen the setup, see our Arm Drag guide.
3. Timing and Setups
The timings we can verify come mainly from the shoulder crunch write-ups; only sourced points are listed.
First, when the arm drag fails and the opponent postures up. The bjjcoach setup starts from a failed or fake arm drag, expects him to posture up and pull the arm back, then pulls the knee to the chest so his hand lands above your head.
Second, when he posts his far hand to avoid an immediate sweep. BJJEE describes pulling the partner up with the opposite-side leg; to avoid being swept at once he posts the far arm, and that is the moment for the shoulder crunch.
Third, in the standing judo version, when his weight is already moving forward. The Kodokan definition breaks balance to the front or right front corner, so the standing version assumes you have already pulled his weight forward. For another sacrifice technique that is now banned by the rules, read our Kani Basami guide.
4. Strengths and Limitations
| Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|
| The crunch locks one of his arms; bjjcoach notes a high elbow stops him posting as he rolls | It needs the prerequisites: the arm extended above your head and your head beside his; without them it is hard to succeed |
| It starts from butterfly guard and links naturally with setups like the arm drag; BJJEE calls the lifting stage “surprisingly easy” | You need a seated guard and hooks; if you are flattened or lose the butterfly hooks, the lifting lever is gone |
| The judo version is a long-standing Kodokan technique with systematic teaching of the idea of falling back and sending him over | A sacrifice throw gives up your base by design; when it fails, you are the one on the floor |
Note that most of the “Strengths” column comes from instructional articles, which carry a promotional tone. We found no statistics comparing the success rates of butterfly sweeps, so we do not claim it is better than other sweeps.
5. Common Counters
The bjjcoach write-up lists three common reactions, while BJJEE describes no counters. The three items below are the reactions the sources state; afterwards we add reasoning derived from the prerequisites and label it as such.
First, posturing up during the arm drag and pulling the hand back. This stops the arm from being extended above your head, so you never get the prerequisite. bjjcoach lists it as a common reaction.
Second, pushing back when lifted. This is actually a reaction the shoulder crunch version deliberately uses: bjjcoach first applies force the opposite way to draw a push-back, then lifts toward the sweep side. So simply “pushing back” is not necessarily a counter and is often walking into the setup.
Third, posting the trapped hand on the mat as he rolls. bjjcoach says a high elbow exists precisely to prevent this, which makes it the opponent’s last escape point.
What to do after it is countered
Reasoning derived from the prerequisites: identify which one failed, then reset to butterfly guard. If the arm was pulled back, return to the arm drag setup; if the hand posted, check whether your elbow dropped; if your head drifted under the opponent’s, fix the position before trying again. This is derived from the bjjcoach prerequisites and is not the conclusion of any specific source.
To build the attacking system around butterfly guard itself, see our butterfly guard deep dive.
6. Frequency in Competition and Scoring Rules
We found no reliable third-party statistics on how often Sumi Gaeshi appears in IBJJF or ADCC matches, so this section has no “X% frequency” to cite. What we can confirm is the rules side (checked 2026/10):
| Situation | Points | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| IBJJF sweep | 2 points | Starts from guard or half guard and ends on top for 3 seconds; reversing from bottom side control or mount does not count |
| IBJJF takedown | 2 points | Starts with both feet on the ground, puts the opponent down and holds top for 3 seconds; no points from the knees |
| ADCC 2019 absolute final | Ryan def. Buchecha | Result 0-1 penalty; Gracie Magazine records Ryan sweeping early, without naming the technique |
The IBJJF wording above comes from the Gymdesk summary, which cites v6.1, Article 2.5.2, while the IBJJF rules page lists the June 2024 edition as v6.0. We could not open the rule book PDF itself, so check the current official rule book for exact wording. Going by these two definitions, the same Sumi Gaeshi motion started from seated butterfly guard would be treated as a sweep, whereas one completed from standing must meet the takedown definition. That is an inference from the literal rule text, and the referee’s call decides in practice.
7. Safety Notes
・The crunch locks your partner’s arm between your shoulder and armpit, so drill slowly and let the person lifting control the speed
・Release the arm immediately when your partner taps or calls stop
・Practice the standing sacrifice version on mats with a coach present, after learning safe breakfalls
・If your partner has an old arm or shoulder injury, do not use the crunch in live sparring
We cite no injury research specific to Sumi Gaeshi, so the above are general training principles. The shoulder is one of the commonly injured areas for BJJ practitioners; see our shoulder injury deep dive.
FAQ
What is Sumi Gaeshi?
Sumi Gaeshi (corner throw) is a judo rear sacrifice technique: break the opponent’s balance forward, fall backwards, hook the instep behind the knee or thigh and throw them over your head. Wikipedia lists it among the original 40 throws of Jigoro Kano, in the fourth Gokyo group, Dai Yonkyo.
How do you use Sumi Gaeshi from butterfly guard?
A common teaching route is a failed arm drag that leaves the opponent’s arm extended above your head, then a shoulder crunch that traps the arm, then a lift with your inside arm and butterfly hooks. The bjjcoach and BJJEE write-ups differ in detail, so follow your coach’s demonstration.
How many points is Sumi Gaeshi worth under IBJJF rules?
A sweep from guard that ends with you on top for 3 seconds scores 2 points. Gymdesk cites IBJJF Rule Book v6.1, Article 2.5.2, while the IBJJF site lists the June 2024 edition as v6.0, so check the current rulebook before you register.
What is the difference between Sumi Gaeshi and Tomoe Nage?
The difference is the foot position. The Kodokan dictionary describes Tomoe Nage as placing the foot on the opponent’s lower abdomen, while Sumi Gaeshi catches the instep behind the opponent’s knee or thigh. Both belong to the five rear sacrifice techniques (ma-sutemi-waza).
References
1. Wikipedia contributors. Sumi gaeshi. en.wikipedia.org/Sumi_gaeshi (checked 2026/10; supports one of Jigoro Kano’s original 40 throws, Gokyo fourth group Dai Yonkyo, the current 67 Kodokan throws, the rear sacrifice classification and the basic description; the entry gives no origin details or BJJ usage)
2. IJF Academy. IJF/Kodokan Classification of Judo (following the Kodokan classification list of 1 April 2017). britishjudo.org.uk (checked 2026/10; supports ma-sutemi-waza as five rear sacrifice techniques (tomoe-nage, sumi-gaeshi, hikikomi-gaeshi, tawara-gaeshi, ura-nage) and the Kodokan dictionary definitions of Sumi-gaeshi and Tomoe nage)
3. BJJEE. The Sumi Gaeshi sweep is the best sweep from butterfly guard (2022/07/25). bjjee.com (checked 2026/10; supports the butterfly guard steps, the shoulder crunch points, and the article’s statement that Gordon Ryan used this sweep on Buchecha at ADCC 2019; the page describes no counters)
4. bjjcoach. Shoulder Crunch Sumi Gaeshi (Substack). bjjcoach.substack.com (checked 2026/10; teaching write-up supporting the prerequisites, the fake arm drag setup, the crunch and lift steps, three common reactions, and the “Popularized by Gordon Ryan” label (single source))
5. Wikipedia contributors. Gordon Ryan. en.wikipedia.org/Gordon_Ryan (checked 2026/10; supports Ryan winning both the -99 kg and absolute divisions at ADCC 2019 (September 2019, Anaheim, California), Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida among his absolute opponents (win, 2019/09/29, 0–1), and Ryan being American)
6. Gracie Magazine. ADCC 2019: Galvão wins 4th straight superfight; Ryan absolute champion (2019/09/29). graciemag.com (checked 2026/10; supports the absolute final result of Ryan def. Buchecha by 0-1 penalty and the line “Ryan even swept early on, before the points kicked in” (the article does not name the technique))
7. Gymdesk. The Jiu Jitsu Point System: How BJJ Scoring Works. gymdesk.com (checked 2026/10; third-party summary citing IBJJF Rule Book v6.1, Article 2.5.2, supporting the 2-point sweep that must start from guard or half guard with a 3-second top hold, and the 2-point takedown that must start with both feet on the ground, with no points from the knees)
8. IBJJF. Rules. ibjjf.com/rules (checked 2026/10; official rules page listing the current rule book as the June 2024 edition (shown as v6.0, file 2024JUN_IBJJF_Rules_EN.pdf); the rule book PDF itself could not be opened for this article, so article wording relies on the Gymdesk summary)