This month at 10th Planet Van Nuys we have been working on several different passes and sweeps. One of the sweeps that our Blue Belts are required to know is one of Coach Alder’s favorites the Ham Sandwich. The Ham Sandwich is an interesting yet effective sweep. Once it is locked up there is little that my opponent can do to counter the sweep.

I have been playing around with the Ham Sandwich a little this month and found that the part I struggled with is the initial set up. At first releasing the butterfly and taking my one foot out was difficult. It seemed like it would be very easy for my opponent to pass here. What I have been learning is that you need to be fast with this transition and that your butterfly hook that stays in is actually pretty strong.

What I like about the Ham Sandwich is that it can be used as either a sweep or a calf crush. Either way I can use this move to take myself from an ok position like the butterfly guard and transition up to a more dominate position like side control.

If you would like to learn more about the Ham Sandwich check out Coach Alder teaching it in the video below. The video below is a few years old and since then Coach Alder has really tightened up this move and found a few secrets that he will only share with those who swing by 10th Planet Van Nuys and check out a class. So what are you waiting for?!?!?!