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Butterfly Guard

Overview

Section titled “Overview”

Core Mechanics and Concepts

Section titled “Core Mechanics and Concepts”

Alignment in butterfly guard

Section titled “Alignment in butterfly guard”

4 stages to the butterfly sweep

Section titled “4 stages to the butterfly sweep”

Who extends is vulnerable

Section titled “Who extends is vulnerable”

Pick a side

Section titled “Pick a side”

Shoulders in front of hips

Section titled “Shoulders in front of hips”

Reacting to opponent’s posture

Section titled “Reacting to opponent’s posture”
  • Vs low posture
  • Vs leaning back
  • Vs shoulder post (elevate vs shoulder post, 2 on 1)

Hook positioning and placement

Section titled “Hook positioning and placement”

Underhook vs overhook

Section titled “Underhook vs overhook”
  • Underhook positioning
  • Overhook positioning

Bottom leg positioning

Section titled “Bottom leg positioning”

Shoulder height

Section titled “Shoulder height”

Getting to Butterfly

Section titled “Getting to Butterfly”
  • Elevating from distance butterfly
  • From half butterfly
  • Pummeling hooks (guard recovery tool against outside passes and UTL passes)

Retention

Section titled “Retention”
  • Vs smash pass
  • Around the legs
  • From flattened out butterfly
  • From half butterfly

The Butterfly Sweep

Section titled “The Butterfly Sweep”
  • Getting the angle
  • The butt hop (angle 2)
  • Preventing the post
  • Hopping vs leg post
  • Recovering vs hand post
  • Kicking the leg out
  • The overhook butterfly sweep (sumi gaeshi)

Connections

Section titled “Connections”

Butterfly to X-Guard

Section titled “Butterfly to X-Guard”

Butterfly to Single Leg X

Section titled “Butterfly to Single Leg X”
  • Dealing with crossed feet

Wrestle-ups and back take entries

Section titled “Wrestle-ups and back take entries”
  • Double underhooks to back take
  • Arm drag threats

Passing Butterfly (Top Player Perspective)

Section titled “Passing Butterfly (Top Player Perspective)”

Concepts and positioning

Section titled “Concepts and positioning”
  • Shoulder position
  • Underhooks and overhooks
  • Head position
  • Tilting to the passing side

Defending attacks

Section titled “Defending attacks”
  • Late butterfly sweep defense
  • Butterfly sweep defense
  • Defend single leg X guard

Passing methods

Section titled “Passing methods”
  • The sprawl pass
  • Smash pass
  • Chest-to-chest passing and step-overs

Summary

Section titled “Summary”

Coaching Guide

Section titled “Coaching Guide”

Common entries and sequences

Section titled “Common entries and sequences”

Overhook butterfly sweep (sumi gaeshi). The bottom player secures an overhook and controls the opponent’s far arm. By falling to the side of the overhook and using the butterfly hook to elevate the opponent’s thigh, the player sweeps them over the shoulder to gain top position.

Transitioning to X-Guard or SLX. Butterfly hooks are frequently used as a bridge to enter deeper leg entanglements. If the opponent stands or creates space while defending the initial hook, the bottom player slides their hips underneath to transition into X-guard or SLX.

Guard retention via pummeling hooks. Butterfly hooks are a primary tool for guard recovery. When a passer attempts an outside pass or UTL pass, the bottom player pummels their foot inside to re-establish connection and reset to butterfly guard.

Wrestle-ups and back take entries. Because butterfly guard is a seated position, the bottom player can use double underhooks or an arm drag to snap the opponent’s head down or clear an arm to go for a double leg or back take.

Chest-to-chest passing and step-overs (top player). The passer neutralizes hooks by closing distance, uses underhooks and head position to flatten the butterfly player, then steps over one of the hooks to force butterfly half guard before completing the pass.

Common problems and cues

Section titled “Common problems and cues”
Section titled “Recommended games”

Resources

Section titled “Resources”