Unleash the power of the BJJ Butterfly Guard! Learn its core principles, step-by-step techniques, essential tips, and how to sweep and submit opponents...
Guard
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Intermediate
The Butterfly Guard is a dynamic Open Guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, characterized by using your feet hooked inside your opponent's thighs. It's renowned for its sweeping potential, allowing you to unbalance and off-balance opponents from various positions. This guard emphasizes leverage and timing over brute strength, making it highly effective for all body types.
Technique Map
graph LR
Guard["Guard"]:::catNode
Guard --> Butterfly_Guard
Butterfly_Guard["Butterfly Guard"]:::currentNode
Butterfly_Guard -.-> Closed_Guard["Closed Guard"]:::relNode
Butterfly_Guard -.-> Open_Guard["Open Guard"]:::relNode
Butterfly_Guard -.-> Half_Guard["Half Guard"]:::relNode
Butterfly_Guard -.-> Spider_Guard["Spider Guard"]:::relNode
Butterfly_Guard -.-> De_La_Riva_Guard["De La Riva Guard"]:::relNode
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classDef relNode fill:#141926,stroke:#1f2840,color:#a78bfa
classDef catNode fill:#1f2840,stroke:#7c6af7,color:#7c6af7,font-style:italic
How to Execute
1
Initial Setup: From a seated guard, establish strong grips (e.g., sleeve and collar, or two-on-one) and insert both feet inside your opponent's thighs, hooking their legs with your insteps. Maintain an upright posture with a strong back.
2
Creating Off-Balance: Use your grips to pull your opponent forward and down, disrupting their base. Simultaneously, arch your back slightly and engage your core, keeping your hooks active.
3
Lifting and Shifting: As your opponent resists or tries to post, use your hooks to lift their hips slightly while shifting your own hips to the side you intend to sweep. This creates a crucial fulcrum point.
4
Execution of Sweep: Drive off the mat with your free foot (if applicable) or use a powerful hip extension, combining it with a strong pull from your grips, to roll your opponent over your shoulder or to the side.
5
Follow-Up: Once your opponent is swept, immediately transition to a dominant position like mount or side control, maintaining control of their limbs to prevent recovery.
Key Details & Tips
1
Posture and Grips: Always maintain a strong, upright posture and secure grips. Your posture is your base, and grips provide essential control and leverage.
2
Active Hooks: Your butterfly hooks should always be active, pressing into your opponent's thighs. They are the primary tools for lifting, off-balancing, and initiating sweeps.
3
Hip Movement: Effective butterfly guard relies heavily on dynamic hip movement. Shift your hips, elevate them, and use them to create angles and generate power for sweeps.
4
Timing: The Butterfly Guard is highly dependent on timing. Wait for your opponent to commit their weight, lean, or make a mistake before initiating your sweep or attack.
Variations
1
Arm Drag from Butterfly: A common entry to take the back or set up a powerful sweep.
2
Elevator Sweep: A classic sweep where you lift one of your opponent's legs with a hook to off-balance and roll them.
3
X-Guard Transition: Butterfly Guard often serves as an excellent entry point into the X-Guard or Single Leg X-Guard for more complex attacks.
When to Use
The Butterfly Guard is best used when your opponent is standing or kneeling in front of you, especially if they are trying to pass your guard by leaning forward. It's particularly effective against heavier or stronger opponents, as it relies on leverage and timing rather than raw strength, making it ideal from a seated guard position for dynamic sweeps and transitions.
Counters & Defenses
1
Posture Control: Opponents can defend by maintaining strong posture and not allowing the guard player to break their base or get underhooks.
2
Underhook/Overhook Control: Securing underhooks or overhooks can flatten the guard player, preventing them from getting their hips off the mat and executing sweeps.
3
Leg Weave Pass: Stepping one leg over a butterfly hook and weaving it through is a common pass to flatten the guard player and initiate a dominant passing sequence.
Butterfly Guard Guide In Gi & Nogi | BJJ Fundamentals
Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu
- 0:00bow in for class
- 00:22traditional butterfly sweep
- 00:28tip: don't be on your back
- 00:51force butt off heals
- 1:07underhook
- 2:10intro
- 2:25underhook elbow sweep
- 2:56double underhooks to X guard
- 3:33double underhooks back breaker
- 3:48overhook
- 4:07overhook to triangle
- 4:15head and arm
Elite Athletes Who Use This Technique
βοΈ Training Safety & Performance
Q: What's the main advantage of the Butterfly Guard over other guards?
The Butterfly Guard's main advantage is its incredible sweeping potential and its ability to generate significant leverage, making it effective against larger or stronger opponents by disrupting their base rather than relying on direct strength.
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