Butterfly Guard Bottom

Jan 23, 202610 min read

Butterfly Guard Bottom represents one of the most dynamic and offensive-minded guard positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From the bottom perspective, this position offers exceptional sweeping opportunities through the combination of inside position via hooks and superior upper body control. The bottom player sits upright with both feet inserted as hooks under the opponent’s inner thighs, creating constant elevator pressure that compromises the top player’s base and posture. This configuration allows for explosive, high-percentage sweeps while simultaneously providing pathways to back takes, leg entanglements, and submission opportunities.

The fundamental strength of butterfly guard from bottom lies in its offensive capabilities paired with good defensive retention when executed properly. Unlike more passive guards, butterfly guard demands active engagement and constant pressure, rewarding practitioners who maintain aggressive intent. The seated posture provides excellent mobility for angle adjustment, hip movement, and defensive framing, while the hooks create immediate sweeping threat that opponents must constantly defend against. This forces opponents to make tactical decisions under pressure, creating opportunities for the guard player to capitalize on defensive reactions.

From a tactical perspective, butterfly guard bottom serves as a central hub in modern guard systems. It connects seamlessly to X-Guard when opponents stand, transitions naturally to deep half guard under pressure, and provides excellent entries to back control through arm drags and back takes. The position is particularly effective in no-gi where the absence of gi friction makes other guards more difficult to maintain, as the hooks provide mechanical control independent of grips. Elite practitioners use butterfly guard as both a destination position for launching sweeps and as a transitional position for entering more dominant configurations.

The learning curve for butterfly guard involves developing several interconnected skills: maintaining upright posture under pressure, generating constant elevator pressure through hooks, establishing and maintaining dominant grips, timing sweeps with opponent weight shifts, and smoothly transitioning to alternative positions when primary attacks are defended. Success requires coordination between upper and lower body, understanding of leverage mechanics, and ability to read opponent’s defensive reactions. When mastered, butterfly guard bottom becomes one of the most versatile and high-percentage positions in competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Position Definition

  • Both hooks inserted under opponent’s thighs with insteps or balls of feet making contact against inner thighs, creating inside position and leverage points for elevation
  • Seated upright position maintained with core engaged, chest forward, and hips mobile rather than flat on back, allowing for dynamic movement and proper leverage mechanics
  • Upper body control established through grips on collar, sleeves, or underhooks, controlling opponent’s posture and preventing them from standing tall or creating excessive distance
  • Opponent facing you in combat base, on knees, or standing posture, positioned close enough for hooks to engage their thighs while attempting to pass or establish dominant grips

Prerequisites

  • Sufficient hip mobility and flexibility to maintain seated position with knees flared outward comfortably for extended periods
  • Core strength and stability to maintain upright posture under opponent’s forward pressure and passing attempts
  • Understanding of inside position concepts and how hooks create mechanical advantage through elevation
  • Ability to control distance and timing with upper body grips while coordinating lower body hook pressure
  • Basic knowledge of sweeping mechanics, leverage principles, and rotational force generation

Key Defensive Principles

  • Maintain inside position with hooks deep under opponent’s thighs to maximize elevation potential and prevent opponent from establishing outside control
  • Keep seated posture upright with active core engagement to prevent being flattened, maintaining offensive capability and sweep readiness
  • Control opponent’s upper body through strategic grips to break posture, prevent defensive base, and set up sweeping directions
  • Generate elevation through coordinated leg drive and upper body pull in same direction, creating unified rotational force
  • Time sweeps with opponent’s weight shifts and forward movement for maximum effectiveness and energy efficiency
  • Maintain defensive awareness for passing attempts while staying offensive-minded and ready to capitalize on opportunities
  • Use hooks dynamically to adjust angles, create off-balancing opportunities, and transition to alternative positions when needed

Available Escapes

Butterfly Sweep → Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 50%
  • Intermediate: 65%
  • Advanced: 80%

Butterfly Sweep → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 55%
  • Intermediate: 70%
  • Advanced: 82%

Arm Drag to Back → Back Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 45%
  • Intermediate: 60%
  • Advanced: 75%

Butterfly Guard to X-Guard → X-Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 40%
  • Intermediate: 55%
  • Advanced: 70%

Elevator Sweep → Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 48%
  • Intermediate: 63%
  • Advanced: 78%

Hook Sweep → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 52%
  • Intermediate: 67%
  • Advanced: 80%

Overhook Sweep → Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 46%
  • Intermediate: 61%
  • Advanced: 76%

Butterfly Guard to X-Guard → Single Leg X-Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 38%
  • Intermediate: 53%
  • Advanced: 68%

Open Guard to Deep Half → Deep Half Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 42%
  • Intermediate: 57%
  • Advanced: 72%

Arm Drag → Turtle

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 44%
  • Intermediate: 59%
  • Advanced: 74%

Opponent Counters

Counter-Attacks

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent maintains low combat base with hands posted forward defensively:

If opponent extends arms or creates distance defensively to avoid sweep:

If opponent stands up or begins withdrawing from hooks to establish standing pass:

If opponent drives heavy pressure forward attempting to flatten you to mat:

If opponent clears one hook or establishes half guard configuration:

Common Defensive Mistakes

1. Lying flat on back instead of maintaining upright seated posture with active core

  • ❌ Consequence: Eliminates leverage for sweeps and makes it easy for opponent to apply pressure and pass guard
  • ✅ Correction: Keep chest forward, core engaged, and maintain active seated position with weight on hips and hooks creating constant upward pressure

2. Passive hooks that do not actively engage opponent’s thighs with continuous elevator pressure

  • ❌ Consequence: Reduces elevation power and makes sweeps ineffective, allowing opponent to easily control distance and establish passing position
  • ✅ Correction: Actively drive hooks upward into opponent’s inner thighs with constant elevator pressure, treating hooks as active tools not passive barriers

3. Poor upper body control or ineffective gripping strategy that allows opponent good posture

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent can maintain good posture and base, neutralizing sweep attempts and controlling the engagement
  • ✅ Correction: Establish strong grips on collar, sleeves, or underhooks to break opponent’s posture and control their weight distribution before attempting sweeps

4. Attempting sweeps without proper timing or setup, forcing techniques against opponent’s base

  • ❌ Consequence: Wasted energy on failed sweep attempts and vulnerability to counter-passes during committed sweep attempts
  • ✅ Correction: Time sweeps with opponent’s forward pressure or weight shifts; use grips to create off-balance before committing to sweep execution

5. Neglecting transitions when sweeps are defended, becoming stagnant in position

  • ❌ Consequence: Getting stuck in stalemate or allowing opponent to establish dominant passing position while you remain inactive
  • ✅ Correction: Chain sweeps together and transition to X-Guard, Deep Half, or Back Takes when primary sweep is defended; maintain constant offensive pressure

6. Allowing hooks to be cleared or stepped over without immediate reaction or recovery

  • ❌ Consequence: Loss of butterfly guard entirely and vulnerability to immediate pass with no defensive structure remaining
  • ✅ Correction: Immediately recover hooks, transition to alternative guard retention strategy, or work for technical standup when hooks are threatened

7. Crossing ankles behind opponent’s back which eliminates elevation capability

  • ❌ Consequence: Transforms position into ineffective configuration with no sweeping power and vulnerability to pressure passing
  • ✅ Correction: Keep hooks independent with feet under opponent’s thighs, never crossing ankles; maintain hook separation for maximum elevation

Training Drills for Defense

Hook Insertion and Elevation Drill

Partner starts in combat base while you practice inserting hooks and generating elevation with progressive resistance. Focus on feeling the leverage points and timing the elevation with upper body pull. Start with compliant partner and gradually increase resistance as technique improves.

Duration: 5 minutes per round, 3 rounds

Butterfly Sweep Chain Drill

Practice flowing between different butterfly sweep variations as partner defends each attempt. Work on reading defensive posts and weight shifts to attack different angles. Include transitions to X-Guard and Deep Half when sweeps are completely shut down. Partner provides realistic but controlled resistance.

Duration: 6 minutes per round, 3 rounds

Positional Sparring from Butterfly

Start in established butterfly guard and work against live resistance. Bottom player scores for sweeps or back takes, top player scores for passes. Reset after each score. Emphasizes maintaining position under pressure and executing techniques against resistance.

Duration: 5-minute rounds, 4-6 rounds

Grip Fighting and Upper Body Control

Focus specifically on establishing and maintaining dominant grips from butterfly position. Partner actively fights grips and attempts to establish their own controlling grips. Work on breaking posture and controlling distance through grip strategies without using hooks for sweeps.

Duration: 4 minutes per round, 3 rounds

Butterfly to X-Guard Transition Flow

Practice smooth transitions from butterfly guard to various X-Guard positions as partner stands or creates distance. Work on maintaining connection and control throughout transition. Include returning to butterfly when X-Guard is defended.

Duration: 5 minutes per round, 2-3 rounds

Escape and Survival Paths

High-percentage submission path via sweep to mount

Butterfly Guard → Butterfly Sweep → Mount → Armbar from Mount

Back attack path via arm drag

Butterfly Guard → Arm Drag to Back → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke

Guillotine path from sweep or scramble

Butterfly Guard → Guillotine Choke → Won by Submission

Leg entanglement path via X-Guard transition

Butterfly Guard → Butterfly Guard to X-Guard → Single Leg X-Guard → Straight Ankle Lock

Triangle path from mount after sweep

Butterfly Guard → Butterfly Sweep → Mount → Triangle from Mount

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner30%35%15%
Intermediate50%55%28%
Advanced70%72%45%

Average Time in Position: 20-45 seconds before sweep or transition

  • X-Guard Bottom Position - Common transition target from butterfly when opponent stands or defends sweeps effectively
  • Single Leg X-Guard - Alternative transition when opponent withdraws one leg or stands asymmetrically during passing
  • Deep Half Guard - Defensive transition when opponent applies heavy pressure to flatten butterfly configuration
  • Half Guard Bottom Position - Common position to transition from when one hook is cleared during passing sequences
  • Closed Guard Bottom - Alternative guard to establish when butterfly is pressured and hooks cleared completely
  • Marcelo Garcia Butterfly Guard System - Comprehensive systematic approach to butterfly guard developed by Marcelo Garcia emphasizing sweeps and guillotines
  • Marcelo Garcia Guillotine System - Submission system that integrates seamlessly with butterfly guard attacks and sweep attempts
  • Marcelo Garcia X-Guard System - System for transitioning from butterfly to X-Guard variations when opponent stands or creates distance
  • Butterfly Hook Retention - Fundamental concept for maintaining butterfly position under pressure and recovering cleared hooks
  • Sweep Mechanics - Core mechanical principles underlying butterfly sweep execution and leverage generation
  • Grip Fighting Strategies - Essential skill set for establishing and maintaining dominant upper body control from butterfly
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