Butterfly Hook Control Top

Jan 23, 20267 min read

Butterfly Hook Control Top represents the challenging position of facing an opponent with active butterfly hooks attempting to sweep or attack. Success requires maintaining base, controlling distance, and systematically removing hooks while preventing back exposures. This position tests fundamental concepts of posture, weight distribution, and pressure application against a highly dynamic guard.

The top player faces a unique strategic challenge: the opponent’s hooks create constant elevation threats that can turn forward pressure into sweeping momentum. Unlike passing closed guard or other static guards, butterfly hook control demands active base management and the ability to read and counter the bottom player’s directional changes.

Effective top play requires understanding how to distribute weight to minimize sweep vulnerability while maintaining forward pressure that prevents the bottom player from creating angles. The goal is to systematically neutralize the hooks through proper positioning, then transition to more stable passing positions such as headquarters, knee slice, or leg weave passes. Critical to success is recognizing when the opponent commits to a sweep direction and using that commitment to pass in the opposite direction or establish dominant grips.

Position Definition

  • Knees on mat with feet positioned to create wide, stable base that resists elevation from opponent’s butterfly hooks while maintaining forward engagement
  • Posture maintained upright with head and chest elevated above opponent’s shoulder line, preventing opponent from breaking posture forward and controlling upper body for sweeps
  • Hands positioned to control opponent’s upper body through collar grips, crossface, or underhook control, preventing them from securing strong sweep grips while maintaining ability to post if needed
  • Weight distributed between knees and hands to maintain base while applying enough forward pressure to prevent opponent from creating sweep angles without overcommitting weight that enables elevation

Prerequisites

  • Opponent has established butterfly hooks inside your thighs
  • You are on knees in combat base or similar position
  • Opponent maintains upright seated posture with active hooks
  • You have not yet passed beyond the legs to side control
  • Opponent has grips on your upper body or sleeves

Key Offensive Principles

  • Maintain wide base with knees spread and feet positioned to resist lateral and forward elevation attempts
  • Control opponent’s upper body to prevent them from establishing strong posture-breaking grips that enable sweeps
  • Apply measured forward pressure that prevents angle creation without overcommitting weight onto hooks
  • Systematically address hooks through proper positioning before attempting to advance position
  • Recognize sweep commitment and redirect momentum to pass in opposite direction
  • Protect back exposure by keeping elbows tight and preventing arm drag opportunities when posting

Available Attacks

Butterfly Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 55%
  • Advanced: 70%

Butterfly Smash → Half Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 40%
  • Intermediate: 60%
  • Advanced: 75%

Knee Slice Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 65%

Standing up in Base → Standing Guard

Success Rates:

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

Pressure Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 60%

Double Under Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 65%

Leg Weave Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 40%
  • Advanced: 60%

Toreando Pass → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 20%
  • Intermediate: 35%
  • Advanced: 55%

Opponent Escapes

Escape Counters

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent maintains strong upright posture with deep hooks and good grips:

If opponent commits to sweep in one direction with weight shift:

If opponent’s posture breaks backward or hooks become shallow:

If opponent attempts arm drag or reaches for back control:

Common Offensive Mistakes

1. Keeping knees too close together with narrow base

  • ❌ Consequence: Easy to be swept in any direction due to unstable base and inability to resist lateral elevation
  • ✅ Correction: Maintain wide knee position with base extending beyond shoulder width, creating triangular base that resists multi-directional sweeps

2. Overcommitting weight forward onto hooks

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent easily elevates and sweeps using your own momentum and weight against you
  • ✅ Correction: Keep weight distributed between knees and hands, maintaining enough forward pressure to prevent angles without overloading hooks

3. Allowing posture to break forward with head and shoulders dropping

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent controls your upper body and can sweep with minimal hook pressure
  • ✅ Correction: Keep chest elevated and head up, preventing opponent from pulling you forward and maintaining structural integrity

4. Posting hands too far from body when defending sweeps

  • ❌ Consequence: Extended arms expose back take opportunities via arm drag or opponent can attack extended limbs
  • ✅ Correction: Keep elbows close to body when posting, using short posts from strong base rather than extended reaching posts

5. Remaining static in position without working to remove hooks

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent has unlimited time to perfect grips and timing for high-percentage sweeps
  • ✅ Correction: Actively work to control distance, break grips, and create opportunities to extract legs from hooks or transition to standing

6. Ignoring opponent’s grip fighting and allowing strong controls to develop

  • ❌ Consequence: Strong grips enable powerful sweeps that become nearly impossible to defend even with good base
  • ✅ Correction: Actively fight grips, establish your own controlling grips on collar or sleeves, and deny opponent the connections they need

Training Drills for Attacks

Base Maintenance Drill

Partner uses butterfly hooks to attempt sweeps in all directions while you maintain base. Focus on weight distribution and reactive base adjustments. Partner increases intensity progressively.

Duration: 3 minutes per round, 3 rounds

Hook Extraction Sequence

Starting in butterfly guard, practice systematic hook removal through proper positioning and pressure. Work through butterfly smash, standing up, and pressure-based removal methods. Partner provides moderate resistance.

Duration: 10 repetitions of each method

Pass Reaction Drill

Partner initiates butterfly sweeps, you react by redirecting momentum and passing in opposite direction. Develops timing and feel for opponent’s commitment. Flow drill with progressive resistance.

Duration: 5 minutes continuous flow

Positional Sparring - Passing Butterfly

Start with opponent in butterfly guard with hooks established. Work to pass using any method. Reset if swept or when pass is completed. Develops practical passing skills under pressure.

Duration: 5 minute rounds, multiple rounds

Optimal Submission Paths

Pass to side control submission

Butterfly Hook Control Top → Butterfly Pass → Side Control → Kimura from Side Control

Smash to half guard finish

Butterfly Hook Control Top → Butterfly Smash → Half Guard → Kimura from Half Guard

Standing pass to mount

Butterfly Hook Control Top → Standing up in Base → Toreando Pass → Mount → Armbar from Mount

Pressure pass to choke

Butterfly Hook Control Top → Pressure Pass → Side Control → North-South → North-South Choke

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner30%35%10%
Intermediate50%55%20%
Advanced70%70%35%

Average Time in Position: 30-60 seconds before passing or being swept

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