Skip to main content

Butterfly Guard

Quick Introduction​

Butterfly guard is a dynamic seated guard — feet as hooks under opponent's thighs, natural wrestling position. Immediate sweeping opportunities and back-taking options. Works equally well gi and no-gi. The guard that rewards aggression.

Position Overview​

From: Sitting up from bottom, open guard transition, closed guard opening | Leads to: High-percentage sweeps, back takes, guillotine, X-guard transitions

Standard Butterfly (Balanced)​

  1. Sit up facing opponent
  2. Insert both feet as hooks under their thighs
  3. Establish one underhook and one overhook
  4. Keep head higher than theirs
  5. Elevate with hooks and sweep direction of broken posture

Key detail: Versatile, direct sweeps available. Beginner-friendly entry point.

Single Butterfly (Offensive)​

  1. Establish one butterfly hook (dominant side)
  2. Get deep underhook on same side
  3. Other hand controls their far arm or posts
  4. Angle body toward underhook side
  5. Elevate and climb to back or sweep

Key detail: Strong back-taking position. Natural for wrestlers. One-sided commitment.

Butterfly Seated Guard (Modern/Gi)​

  1. Sit in butterfly position
  2. Establish strong gi grips (collar, sleeves) instead of underhooks
  3. Use grips to break their posture
  4. Hooks stay active, ready to elevate
  5. Sweep or transition based on reaction

Key detail: Safer from guillotines than underhook butterfly. Modern competition approach.

Essential Techniques​

Classic Butterfly Sweep​

  1. Both hooks in, one underhook established
  2. Pull them forward onto you (break base)
  3. Elevate with hooks (straight up first)
  4. Sweep toward underhook side
  5. Land in top position

Key detail: Elevate straight up first, then sweep sideways. Pull them into your chest. Highest percentage butterfly sweep.

Arm Drag to Back Take​

  1. Control their arm (sleeve or wrist)
  2. Pull arm across your body (arm drag)
  3. Release hooks immediately for mobility
  4. Come to knees behind them
  5. Secure back mount with seatbelt

Key detail: Speed is critical. Release hooks to move. High-value technique — 4 points for back.

X-Guard Transition​

  1. They stand up from your butterfly guard
  2. Maintain one hook, add second under opposite leg
  3. Configure to X-guard
  4. Sweep from X-guard

Key detail: Natural guard retention when they stand. Modern competition essential.

Core Principles​

  1. Head higher than theirs — Win the posture battle
  2. Active hooks — Elevate, don't just rest feet there
  3. Underhook priority — Deep underhook = dominant position
  4. Elevate then angle — Straight up first, then sweep direction
  5. Attack from reactions — Failed sweeps create arm drags; dropped heads create guillotines

Common Mistakes​

MistakeFix
Flat hooksMust actively lift, not just insert
Low head positionWin the posture battle — head up
No underhookGet underhook immediately on entry
Leaning backStay forward — easy to pass if you lean away
Crossing anklesLocks you in place, reduces mobility

Next Steps​

  1. Back Mount - Primary destination from arm drag
  2. X-Guard - Natural transition when they stand
  3. Guillotine - When they drop their head