Butterfly Hook Control Bottom is a dynamic open guard position where the bottom practitioner uses butterfly hooks—feet positioned inside the opponent’s thighs—to create leverage for sweeps and back takes. This position emphasizes elevation, off-balancing, and explosive directional changes. The butterfly guard is particularly effective in no-gi grappling and allows for rapid transitions to dominant positions or submissions. Success in this position depends on maintaining active hooks, controlling posture, and creating dilemmas that force the opponent to react.
The position offers excellent offensive opportunities while maintaining relatively low risk compared to other open guards. The hooks provide constant lifting pressure that disrupts the top player’s base and creates sweep opportunities in multiple directions. When properly executed, butterfly hook control can transition seamlessly to back control, mount, or leg entanglement positions.
The fundamental mechanics rely on creating a lever system where your hooks act as fulcrums to amplify the force generated by your upper body controls. This mechanical advantage allows smaller practitioners to sweep larger opponents by redirecting momentum rather than fighting weight directly. The position also creates a natural decision tree: if the opponent defends by posting, their back becomes exposed; if they stand to escape hooks, transitions to X-guard or single leg X become available. This systematic approach to creating offensive dilemmas makes butterfly hook control a cornerstone position for modern competition grappling.
Position Definition
- Both feet are positioned inside opponent’s thighs with hooks engaged, creating constant upward lifting pressure through the insteps while maintaining connection to opponent’s hips and preventing their weight from settling
- Upper body maintains upright posture with head and chest elevated above hips, preventing opponent from driving forward pressure while maintaining ability to grip collar, sleeves, or underhooks for directional control
- Hips remain mobile and elevated off the mat, allowing for rapid directional changes and preventing opponent from establishing heavy top pressure or passing around the hooks
- Distance management keeps opponent close enough for hooks to maintain control but far enough to prevent crushing chest-to-chest pressure that would neutralize the position’s offensive capability
Prerequisites
- Opponent is in combat base or standing position attempting to pass guard
- Space exists between your hips and opponent’s hips to insert butterfly hooks
- Ability to maintain upright seated posture without being driven backward
- Grips established on opponent’s upper body for posture control
- Core engagement to maintain balance and prevent being flattened
Key Defensive Principles
- Maintain constant upward pressure with hooks to disrupt opponent’s base and prevent them from settling their weight
- Keep head and chest elevated to prevent opponent from driving you flat to the mat
- Use grips to break opponent’s posture and create angles for sweeps
- Create elevation through hip movement and hook engagement before executing sweeps
- Maintain hook tension throughout transitions to retain control during directional changes
- Combine upper body control with lower body control to create complete off-balancing mechanics
Available Escapes
Butterfly Sweep → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Butterfly Sweep Variations → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Arm Drag to Back → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 70%
Butterfly Guard to X-Guard → X-Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 65%
Hook Sweep → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Elevator Sweep → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Guillotine Setup → Guillotine Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 60%
Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 70%
Single Leg X Entry → Single Leg X-Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Omoplata Sweep → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 55%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent maintains upright posture in combat base with strong base:
- Execute Butterfly Sweep → Mount (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Hook Sweep → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
If opponent leans forward or attempts to drive pressure through you:
- Execute Arm Drag to Back → Back Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Guillotine Setup → Guillotine Control (Probability: 50%)
If opponent stands up to escape hooks or create distance:
- Execute Butterfly Guard to X-Guard → X-Guard (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Single Leg X Entry → Single Leg X-Guard (Probability: 60%)
If opponent attempts to smash hooks by driving knee through center:
- Execute Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Elevator Sweep → Mount (Probability: 50%)
Escape and Survival Paths
Shortest path to submission
Butterfly Hook Control Bottom → Guillotine Setup → Guillotine Choke
High-percentage back attack path
Butterfly Hook Control Bottom → Arm Drag to Back → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Sweep to mount submission path
Butterfly Hook Control Bottom → Butterfly Sweep → Mount → Armbar from Mount
Leg entanglement path
Butterfly Hook Control Bottom → Butterfly Guard to X-Guard → Inside Ashi-Garami → Heel Hook
Kimura attack path
Butterfly Hook Control Bottom → Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard → Kimura from Half Guard
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 40% | 35% | 15% |
| Intermediate | 60% | 55% | 30% |
| Advanced | 75% | 70% | 45% |
Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds before sweep attempt or position change
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The butterfly guard represents one of the most mechanically efficient guard systems because it creates leverage through minimal points of contact. The key insight is that the hooks function as levers that multiply your lifting force against the opponent’s base. When you elevate with your hooks while simultaneously breaking posture with your grips, you create a two-directional force vector that is extremely difficult to counter. The position requires less strength than many other guards because you’re using leverage mechanics rather than muscular force. Focus on keeping your head above your hips to maintain the structural integrity of your spine, which allows for explosive elevation. The timing of your sweep should coincide with any forward or lateral movement from your opponent, as their own momentum becomes part of your sweeping force. The critical technical detail most practitioners miss is the angle of hook insertion—your hooks must be deep enough that your knees are outside their hips, creating a lever arm that extends beyond their center of gravity.
Gordon Ryan
In competition, butterfly guard is one of my highest percentage positions for scoring sweeps because it’s so dynamic and creates constant threats. The key is never being static—I’m always creating small movements with my hooks and grips that force my opponent to react. When they react to defend one sweep, I immediately attack the opposite direction. Against high-level opponents, I combine butterfly hooks with arm drags to set up back takes, which score 4 points and put me in dominant position. The position works exceptionally well in no-gi because without the gi grips, opponents have fewer tools to control distance and prevent elevation. I also use butterfly hooks as a gateway position—if the sweep isn’t there, I can transition to X-guard, single leg X, or deep half within seconds. The versatility makes it very difficult for opponents to develop a consistent counter-strategy. The moment they post that hand to defend the sweep, their arm is extended and vulnerable to the drag.
Eddie Bravo
Butterfly guard is fundamental to the 10th Planet system because it embodies our philosophy of constant movement and creating angles. We don’t think of butterfly as just a sweeping position—it’s a launching pad for back takes, leg locks, and dynamic transitions. The key innovation we focus on is combining butterfly hooks with unconventional grips like overhooks and whizzers to create unique sweeping angles that opponents don’t expect. When you add the lockdown or electric chair entries from butterfly, you multiply your offensive options exponentially. In no-gi competition especially, butterfly allows you to be offensive without relying on gi grips that slow down the pace. We drill butterfly transitions constantly because the position teaches you to read opponent reactions in real-time and adjust your attacks fluidly. The rubber guard and mission control also connect naturally from butterfly when opponents try to pressure pass. Don’t limit yourself to traditional approaches—the butterfly position is a launching pad for creative, systematic attacks that flow together.