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%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent maintains strong upright posture with deep hooks and good grips:
- Execute Standing up in Base → Standing Guard (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Butterfly Smash → Half Guard (Probability: 50%)
If opponent commits to sweep in one direction with weight shift:
- Execute Knee Slice Pass → Side Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Butterfly Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
If opponent’s posture breaks backward or hooks become shallow:
- Execute Pressure Pass → Side Control (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Double Under Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
If opponent attempts arm drag or reaches for back control:
- Execute Butterfly Smash → Half Guard (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Standing up in Base → Standing Guard (Probability: 55%)
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 Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 30% | 35% | 10% |
| Intermediate | 50% | 55% | 20% |
| Advanced | 70% | 70% | 35% |
Average Time in Position: 30-60 seconds before passing or being swept
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The top position against butterfly guard requires understanding the mechanical vulnerabilities in your base structure when hooks are engaged. The opponent’s hooks create lever points that can redirect your center of gravity in an arc, which is why maintaining a wide, triangular base is critical—your base must extend beyond the sweep’s arc to remain stable. The key technical principle is to never allow your weight to settle onto the hooks while simultaneously preventing the opponent from creating lateral angles. When facing butterfly guard, I emphasize a systematic approach: first control the upper body through crossface or collar control, then address the hooks through either extraction (standing up) or neutralization (smash pass). The critical mistake I see is practitioners attempting to pass before controlling the upper body, which allows the opponent to maintain perfect posture and sweep with high percentage. Your passing strategy must create a decision tree for the opponent where all their options lead to your advancement—if they maintain hooks, you smash or stand; if they abandon hooks, you pressure pass.
Gordon Ryan
Against high-level butterfly guard players, the key is making them uncomfortable before they can establish their system. I immediately start working on breaking their posture with strong collar ties or crossface pressure, which prevents them from sitting up with good posture needed for effective sweeps. The moment they try to sweep in one direction, I use their momentum to pass in the opposite direction—their commitment becomes my opportunity. I prefer standing up against butterfly guard because it forces them to transition to different guards, and that transition moment is when I attack with leg weaves or toreando passes. If I stay on my knees, I keep my base extremely wide and my hands active, constantly breaking their grips and establishing my own controls. The worst thing you can do is be passive—if you give a good butterfly player time to perfect their grips and timing, you’re getting swept. I’m always attacking their structure, forcing them to defend rather than attack, and passing when they react to my pressure.
Eddie Bravo
The key to dealing with butterfly guard is understanding that the bottom player is hunting for specific reactions—if you give them what they expect, you’re playing into their game plan. From the 10th Planet perspective, we focus on unconventional pressure angles and grip configurations that disrupt the traditional butterfly system. One approach is immediately attacking with guillotine threats or front headlock pressure when they sit up, which forces them to defend their neck instead of perfecting sweep grips. Another method is using the lockdown entry from the smash pass position—as you drive through their hooks, if you end up in half guard, the lockdown system gives you powerful control. Don’t be predictable with your passing—mix standing passes with pressure passes, sometimes even pulling them into your own guard if they’re overly committed to sweeping. The goal is to create confusion and force them to play reactive defense rather than letting them execute their systematic sweep attacks. Stay creative and unpredictable, and always be ready to capitalize on their sweep attempts by redirecting into your own passes.