Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has an overwhelming number of different positions. These positions include countless guards, may of which are very obscure. The butterfly guard is not obscure, in fact it’s probably one of the most important guards.
Because of this it’s one of the most useful positions in BJJ is the butterfly guard. This guard is powerful regardless of your skill level. In this guide, we’ll explore the butterfly guard, its techniques, benefits, and strategies to help you become a better grappler.
Understanding the Butterfly Guard
The butterfly guard is a type of open guard in BJJ. You use your legs to control and move your opponent in this position. You place your feet inside and under your opponent’s thighs, creating hooks. These hooks give you leverage and control. The butterfly guard allows for many sweeps, submissions, and transitions, making it a key position for all grapplers.
Why is the Butterfly Guard Important?
The butterfly guard is important for several reasons:
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Versatility: It offers many offensive and defensive options.
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Control: It gives you excellent control over your opponent’s movements.
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Leverage: It allows smaller practitioners to lift and sweep larger opponents.
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Transition: It serves as a gateway to other guard positions and submissions.
Setting Up the Butterfly Guard
Positioning and Hooks
To set up the butterfly guard, sit on your glutes with your legs bent and feet inside your opponent’s thighs. Your knees should be flared out, creating a strong base. Use your feet as hooks to control your opponent’s legs and stop them from passing your guard.
Upper Body Grips
Upper body grips are crucial for control in the butterfly guard. Common grips include the two-on-one grip, where you control one of your opponent’s arms with both hands and the body lock, where you wrap your arms around your opponent’s torso. These grips help you control your opponent’s upper body and stop them from escaping your hooks.
Executing the Butterfly Sweep
The butterfly sweep is one of the most powerful techniques of the butterfly guard. Here’s how to do it:
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Establish Hooks and Grips: Make sure your hooks are in place and secure a strong upper body grip.
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Create an Angle: Shift your hips to create a 90-degree angle with your opponent.
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Lift and Pull: Use your hooks to lift your opponent’s legs while pulling their upper body towards you.
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Direct the Shoulder: Aim to direct your opponent’s shoulder to the mat while keeping control of their arm.
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Complete the Sweep: As your opponent falls, follow through by moving to a dominant position, like side control or mount.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Flat on Your Back
Being flat on your back limits the power of your legs and makes it easier for your opponent to pass your guard. Instead, stay on your glutes and keep a seated position. Always be engaged in BJJ there are no “rest” positions, certainly not butterfly guard.
Mistake 2: Reaching Forward
Reaching forward with your hands can lead to your opponent gaining under hooks, reducing your control. Focus on keeping a strong grip and your elbows close to your body.
Mistake 3: Poor Hook Placement
Improper hook placement can weaken your control and make it hard to execute sweeps. Ensure that your feet are positioned correctly inside and under your opponent’s thighs.
Techniques and Variations
Arm Drag to Back Take
The arm drag is a powerful technique that can be used to move from the butterfly guard to the back. By pulling your opponent’s arm across their body and using your hooks to control their legs, you can create an opening to take their back and secure a dominant position.
Butterfly Guard to X-Guard Transition
The butterfly guard can easily transition into the X-guard, another effective open guard position. By extending one of your hooks and using your other leg to control your opponent’s far leg, you can create a strong base for sweeps and submissions.
Butterfly Guard Submissions
In addition to sweeps, the butterfly guard offers several submission opportunities, including:
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Guillotine Choke: Use your upper body grip to secure a guillotine choke as your opponent tries to pass your guard.
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Triangle Choke: Transition to a triangle choke by trapping your opponent’s arm and head with your legs.
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Armbar: Isolate your opponent’s arm and extend your hips to apply an armbar.
Training Drills for the Butterfly Guard
Drill 1: Hook Retention
Practice keeping your hooks while your training partner tries to pass your guard. Focus on keeping your feet inside and under their thighs and using your upper body grips to control their movements.
Drill 2: Butterfly Sweep Repetitions
Perform multiple repetitions of the butterfly sweep with a cooperative partner. Pay attention to your positioning, grips, and the angle of your sweep.
Drill 3: Live Sparring
Incorporate the butterfly guard into your live sparring sessions. Start in the butterfly guard position and work on executing sweeps, submissions, and transitions against a resisting opponent.
FAQs
What is the butterfly guard in BJJ?
The butterfly guard is an open guard position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where you use your legs as hooks to control and move your opponent.
Why is the butterfly guard effective?
The butterfly guard is effective because it offers versatility, control, leverage, and transition opportunities, making it suitable for grapplers of all sizes and skill levels.
How do I execute a butterfly sweep?
To execute a butterfly sweep, establish hooks and grips, create an angle, lift and pull your opponent, direct their shoulder to the mat, and complete the sweep by moving to a dominant position.
What are common mistakes in the butterfly guard?
Common mistakes include being flat on your back, reaching forward with your hands, and poor hook placement. Avoid these mistakes by keeping a seated position, your elbows close, and positioning your hooks correctly.
Can I use the butterfly guard for submissions?
Yes, the butterfly guard offers several submission opportunities, including the guillotine choke, triangle choke, and armbar.
How can I improve my butterfly guard?
Improve your butterfly guard by practicing hook retention, performing sweep repetitions, and incorporating the butterfly guard into live sparring sessions. Just like anything in BJJ training its all about reps, reps, and more reps.
Conclusion
The butterfly guard is a fundamental and versatile position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that offers many offensive and defensive options. By mastering the techniques, avoiding common mistakes, and incorporating advanced variations, you can elevate your grappling game and become a better practitioner. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced grappler, the butterfly guard is an essential tool in your BJJ arsenal. So, get on the mats, practice diligently, and unlock the full potential of the butterfly guard.