Become Fighter
Butterfly guard and the hook sweep: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
Sitting up with both feet inside their thighs and lifting them over.
Butterfly guard means you are seated with both feet hooked inside their thighs. You can lift one leg, drive the other, and sweep them over with an underhook. It is the best guard for people who like to attack and move.
Stay active. Butterfly guard asks for constant hip movement, close contact and good timing. Passive butterfly is easy to pass.
Key points
- Sit on your hips with your feet inside their thighs, knees wide.
- Get an underhook with one arm and hold the other collar or sleeve.
- Put your head tight to their chest so that they cannot pull you down.
- Lift with the hook on the underhook side while your other leg stays out of the way.
- Fall to your side and land on top as they go over.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Leaning back with the legs straight. Stay on your side with knees bent. Straight legs lose the hook.
- No underhook. Win the underhook first. Without it the sweep becomes a push.
- Falling flat. Fall to the side and follow them over. Falling flat leaves you underneath.
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Open guard module of Jiu-jitsu foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Open guard
- De La Riva guard: the concept: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
- Open guard sweeps: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
- Guard retention and recovery: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
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Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.