Butterfly Guard
Dynamic offensive guard with strong sweeping options.
Overview
The butterfly guard is a dynamic open guard where the bottom player uses inside hooks and underhooks to control the opponent's base, creating high-leverage sweeping and back-taking opportunities.
Position Flow
How to Enter
- Transition from closed guard when the opponent stands
- Sit up from open guard to insert inside hooks
- Recover after a failed guard pass attempt
- Elevate from seated guard when the opponent commits forward pressure
How to Exit
- Hook sweep directly to mount or side control
- Elevator sweep into knee-on-belly pressure
- X-guard entry when the opponent posts a leg
- Reverse sit-up to expose the back
Key Controls
- Double underhooks for dominant upper-body control
- Collar-and-sleeve grips in the gi to manage posture
- Overhook (whizzer) control to isolate an arm
- Active butterfly hooks lifting at the opponent's thighs
Vulnerabilities
- Double underhook bodylocks collapsing the guard
- Standing posture breaks if grips aren’t established
- Heavy knee-cut pressure slicing through thigh line
- Collar drags if hooks stop engaging actively
Ideal When
You want an attacking guard that turns forward pressure into sweeps, back takes, and leg entries while keeping options open for transitions.
OffenseOffense
Goals
- Use the opponent's forward drive to launch elevated sweeps
- Chain underhook-driven sweeps with back takes when they post
Key Techniques
- Traditional hook sweep to mount or side control
- Arm drag series into back exposure
- X-guard transitions leading to technical stand-ups
- Guillotine threats to force defensive reactions
Pro Tips
- Stay tall with hips under the opponent to harness upward leverage
- Alternate between underhooks and overhooks to attack both sides
Common Mistakes
- Letting hooks die and sitting flat on the mat
- Reaching for collars without controlling inside space first
DefenseDefense
Goals
- Collapse inside hooks before the sweep launches
- Win the grip battle to prevent underhooks and arm drags
Key Techniques
- Double underhook bodylock to lift and stack
- Standing guard break with collar or head control
Pro Tips
- Keep a strong posture with hips heavy and elbows tight
- Step over hooks quickly to transition to knee-cut passes
Common Mistakes
- Driving forward without addressing underhooks
- Allowing the bottom player to sit up higher than your hips
Variations
Double-underhook butterfly guard for high lift sweepsOverhook (whizzer) butterfly guard targeting arm-in submissionsCollar-and-sleeve butterfly guard incorporating gi gripsArm drag to back-take systems from butterfly entries
Key Concepts
- Fight inside space first—hooks and underhooks dictate the exchanges
- Angle changes create sweeping lanes; stay mobile and patient
- Forward pressure becomes your elevator—let the top player drive in
- Blend butterfly with seated guard layers like X-guard and arm drags
Recommended Drills
- Hook sweep reps focusing on elevation and steering
- Underhook pummeling battles from seated guard
- Back-take flows from butterfly sweep into chair-sit finishes
- Reaction rounds: opponent drives forward, you transition to X-guard
Related Techniques
Summary
Butterfly guard thrives on engagement—own inside hooks, steer posture with underhooks, and convert every forward drive into sweeps, back takes, or leg entries before the passer can reset.