The Butterfly Guard is one of the most versatile and dynamic guard positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is a seated position where the practitioner uses their legs as hooks, controlling and manipulating their opponent’s movement. Known for its effectiveness in both gi and no-gi settings, the Butterfly Guard offers a range of offensive and defensive options, making it a valuable tool for practitioners of all levels. Whether you’re new to BJJ or an experienced competitor, this guide will help you understand the fundamentals, advanced techniques, and strategies for mastering this guard.
What is the Butterfly Guard?
The Butterfly Guard is a seated guard position where the practitioner uses their feet, placed as hooks under the opponent’s thighs, to control and off-balance them. Combined with proper grips and hip movement, this guard allows for sweeps, transitions, and submissions.
Tip: Feet are hooked under the opponent’s thighs, often used for sweeps.
Key Features
- Leg Hooks: Your feet act as hooks to control the opponent’s lower body.
- Close Proximity Control: The seated posture keeps you close to the opponent, minimizing their movement and maximizing your control.
- Dynamic Offense: The guard provides setups for sweeps, back takes, and submissions like guillotines or armbars.
The Butterfly Guard is widely used in both gi and no-gi due to its adaptability and effectiveness.
Why is the Butterfly Guard Important in BJJ?
The Butterfly Guard plays a crucial role in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for several reasons:
- Control and Off-Balance: This position allows you to manipulate your opponent’s balance and posture, making it easier to execute sweeps or submissions.
- Versatility: It works in gi and no-gi settings, making it a go-to position for practitioners across all skill levels.
- Transitions: It seamlessly transitions into other guards or dominant positions, enhancing your ability to maintain control.
- Neutralizes Pressure Passers: The seated posture prevents aggressive passers from easily smashing your guard.
Tip: Focus on Timing and Off-Balancing Your Opponent
The success of the Butterfly Guard hinges on your ability to disrupt your opponent’s balance. Use your hooks and grips to off-balance them before attempting sweeps or transitions. Timing is crucial—wait for the right moment when your opponent’s weight shifts, making them vulnerable to your techniques.
Why This Tip is Crucial:
- Off-balancing forces your opponent to react, creating openings for sweeps or submissions.
- Proper timing prevents you from overcommitting and getting countered.
By mastering the art of off-balancing and being patient with your attacks, you’ll make your guard highly effective and difficult to counter.
Who is the Butterfly Guard Recommended For?
The Butterfly Guard is an incredibly versatile position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, making it suitable for practitioners of all levels and body types. Here’s a breakdown of who benefits most from using it:
- Beginners: For those new to BJJ, the Butterfly Guard is a great starting point to learn essential concepts like balance, leverage, and control. Its simplicity and effectiveness allow beginners to practice sweeps and transitions without overwhelming complexity.
- Smaller Practitioners: The Butterfly Guard is ideal for smaller athletes, as it relies on technique and leverage rather than brute strength. By using hooks and grips to manipulate the opponent’s balance, smaller practitioners can neutralize the size and power of larger opponents.
- Guard Players: If you prefer playing from the bottom, the Butterfly Guard enhances your game by providing control and seamless transitions to other guards like X-Guard, De La Riva Guard, and Half Guard.
Competitors
Widely used in both gi and no-gi competition, the Butterfly Guard offers dynamic sweeps, submissions, and transitions that keep opponents guessing. Its adaptability makes it a go-to position for competitive athletes looking to dominate from the bottom.
Whether you’re new to the sport, facing larger opponents, or competing at the highest levels, the Butterfly Guard is a highly effective and versatile tool that every practitioner should master.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Butterfly Guard
Step 1: Establish the Guard
- Start in a seated position with your feet tucked under the opponent’s thighs.
- Keep your knees wide and your posture upright, ready to react to their movements.
Step 2: Secure Grips
- Use your hands to grip your opponent’s collar, sleeves, or wrists in gi.
- In no-gi, control their wrists or around the back of their head.
Step 3: Off-Balance the Opponent
- Lean slightly backward and use your hooks to lift and tilt their weight forward or sideways.
- Combine the push-pull action of your grips and hooks to create opportunities for sweeps or attacks.
Step 4: Execute Sweeps or Transitions
- Basic Butterfly Sweep: Use your hooks to elevate their leg while rotating your upper body to sweep them sideways.
- Back Take: When they overcommit forward, use your grips and hooks to transition to their back.
- Submissions: Attack with a guillotine choke or armbar if the opportunity arises.
Step 5: Maintain or Transition
If the opponent counters, transition to other guards like X-Guard or De La Riva Guard to maintain control.
After sweeping, establish a dominant position like mount or side control.
Common Mistakes in the Butterfly Guard
Even though this guard is effective, common mistakes can limit its potential. Here’s what to avoid:
1. Poor Posture
- Problem: Leaning too far forward or backward reduces your ability to off-balance the opponent.
- Solution: Maintain a strong, upright posture with your core engaged.
2. Passive Hooks
- Problem: Inactive hooks make it easier for the opponent to break your control.
- Solution: Keep your feet active, applying pressure and adjusting as needed.
3. Overcommitting to Sweeps
- Problem: Attempting sweeps without disrupting the opponent’s base can lead to counters.
- Solution: Focus on off-balancing your opponent before committing to sweeps.
4. Neglecting Grips
- Problem: Weak or improper grips allow your opponent to break free and pass.
- Solution: Secure firm grips that complement your hooks and posture.
Drills to Improve Your Butterfly Guard
Incorporate these drills into your training routine to develop a strong position:
Drills
Drill
1
Butterfly Sweep Repetition
Start in the Butterfly Guard and practice the basic sweep repeatedly.
Focus on timing and using your hooks and grips together to off-balance your partner.
DRILL
2
Back Take Transitions
Practice transitioning from the Butterfly Guard to your opponent’s back when they lean forward.
Use your hooks and grips to control their movement.
DRILL
3
Positional Sparring
Start in the Butterfly Guard during sparring rounds and focus on sweeps, submissions, or transitions.
This builds confidence and fluidity in live scenarios.
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Advanced Techniques for the Butterfly Guard
Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, explore advanced setups and sweeps, such as:
- Arm Drag to Back Take: Use an arm drag to pull the opponent across your body and take their back.
- Butterfly Guard to X-Guard Transition: Elevate the opponent with your hooks and transition into X-Guard for sweeps or leg attacks.
- Guillotine Choke Setup: When the opponent lowers their head to defend, secure a guillotine choke from the Butterfly Guard.
How the Butterfly Guard Fits Into Your Game
The Butterfly Guard is more than a position—it’s a system that integrates seamlessly with other elements of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. By mastering this guard, you’ll gain the ability to control aggressive opponents, create offensive opportunities, and transition into advanced positions.
Complementary Guards
- X-Guard: Transition for advanced sweeps and leg locks.
- De La Riva Guard: Use Butterfly hooks to set up De La Riva sweeps.
- Half Guard: Combine Butterfly Guard sweeps with half-guard transitions for a dynamic game.
Offensive Opportunities
- Sweeps: Gain top control with powerful sweeps that capitalize on disrupted balance.
- Back Takes: Use your hooks and grips to secure dominant positions.
- Submissions: Set up chokes, armbars, and shoulder locks from the seated position.
Tip: Grip and Hook Retention Drills
- Have a partner try to break your grips and hooks while you focus on maintaining control.
- This improves your ability to keep the position under pressure.
Conclusion
The Butterfly Guard is a versatile and dynamic position that every Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner should master. Its combination of control, offense, and adaptability makes it a cornerstone of modern BJJ. By understanding its mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and practicing key drills, you can transform your Butterfly Guard into a powerful weapon on the mats.
Ready to take your game to the next level? Check out our other guides on advanced guard techniques. Happy training!