BJJ Graph

Half Butterfly

Dec 09, 20258 min read

Half Butterfly is a dynamic hybrid guard position that combines elements of traditional butterfly guard with half guard retention mechanics. The bottom practitioner uses one butterfly hook on the opponent’s inner thigh while maintaining half guard control on the opposite leg, creating a powerful platform for sweeps and transitions. This position offers superior mobility compared to traditional half guard while providing more structural control than standard butterfly guard.

The asymmetric nature of Half Butterfly creates natural leverage advantages for sweeps and allows seamless transitions to deep half guard, x-guard, or traditional butterfly guard. Originally popularized by wrestlers transitioning to BJJ, this position has become fundamental to modern no-gi grappling and is particularly effective against pressure passers who attempt to flatten the bottom player.

From the top perspective, Half Butterfly Top represents a critical transitional moment in the guard passing sequence where the passer has achieved partial success but not complete control. The top player must neutralize the remaining butterfly hook’s lifting mechanism through precise weight distribution and pressure angles while simultaneously advancing the pass. This position requires careful weight distribution to prevent the butterfly hook from generating lifting power while maintaining forward pressure to complete the pass. Understanding both perspectives is essential for modern competitive grappling, as this position frequently appears in high-level matches and represents a key battleground between guard player and passer.

Key Principles

  • Maintain constant upward pressure through butterfly hook to prevent opponent from establishing heavy top pressure

  • Use trapped leg as anchor point while butterfly hook creates dynamic movement and off-balancing opportunities

  • Establish underhook control on butterfly hook side to maximize sweep effectiveness and prevent passing consolidation

  • Generate constant movement and angle changes to prevent opponent from settling weight and establishing static control

  • From top, drive chest forward and hips low to shift load away from hook’s optimal leverage point

  • Coordinate both guard components - tighten half guard when elevating butterfly hook to create dual threats

  • Transition fluidly between half butterfly, deep half, and full butterfly based on opponent’s pressure and weight distribution

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeOffensiveOffensive
Risk LevelMediumMedium
Energy CostMediumMedium
TimeMedium to LongShort to Medium

Key Difference: Butterfly hook adds elevation to half guard

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain constant lifting pressure through butterfly hook to prevent opponent from settling their weight and establishing stable passing pressure

  • Use half guard leg control to prevent opponent from extracting trapped leg while simultaneously threatening sweeps with butterfly hook

  • Create angles by turning body toward opponent’s free side, using butterfly hook and upper body grips to off-balance opponent diagonally

  • Keep active frames and grips on upper body to prevent opponent from flattening you to back and controlling posture

  • Coordinate hip movement with butterfly hook elevation to create sweeping momentum rather than using arm strength alone

  • Maintain awareness of both sweep opportunities to trapped leg side and transitions to other guards if opponent defends

  • Use constant threatening motion to prevent opponent from consolidating passing pressure or establishing crossface control

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Allowing butterfly hook to become passive without active lifting pressure

    • Consequence: Opponent can settle their weight and establish stable passing pressure, neutralizing sweep threats
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant upward pressure through butterfly hook, actively lifting and off-balancing opponent even when not executing sweep

  • ❌ Letting opponent flatten you completely to your back

    • Consequence: Loses hip mobility needed for sweeps and allows opponent to establish dominant crossface control
    • ✅ Correction: Stay on your side with shoulders turned toward opponent, using frames and grips to prevent being flattened while maintaining hip escape mobility

  • ❌ Losing half guard control while focusing on butterfly hook

    • Consequence: Opponent extracts trapped leg and easily passes to side control or mount
    • ✅ Correction: Coordinate both legs together - half guard legs squeeze trapped leg while butterfly hook lifts, creating dual threats opponent must address simultaneously

  • ❌ Using only arm strength to execute sweeps without hip elevation

    • Consequence: Sweeps are weak and easily defended, causing arm fatigue and failed sweep attempts
    • ✅ Correction: Drive sweeps primarily from hip extension and butterfly hook elevation, using grips only to guide opponent’s fall and control upper body

  • ❌ Maintaining static position without threatening constant movement

    • Consequence: Gives opponent time to establish grips, settle weight, and methodically work passing sequences
    • ✅ Correction: Create constant motion through hip movement, angle changes, and sweep attempts to keep opponent defensive and prevent them from establishing rhythm

  • ❌ Allowing opponent to achieve underhook on half guard side

    • Consequence: Opponent can drive shoulder pressure, flatten you, and control hip movement for easier passing
    • ✅ Correction: Fight for underhook on trapped leg side or establish strong frames to prevent opponent’s underhook from controlling your upper body

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Keep weight distributed forward onto bottom player’s chest to reduce butterfly hook’s lifting effectiveness

  • Control the near-side arm with underhook or overhook to prevent bottom player from creating frames

  • Drive hips low and forward to flatten bottom player and reduce space for hook engagement

  • Establish crossface or head control to limit bottom player’s ability to turn into you

  • Maintain wide base with knees to prevent being swept while creating passing angles

  • Prevent bottom player from recovering full butterfly guard by controlling their free leg

  • Use strategic weight shifts to bait reactions and create passing opportunities

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Standing too upright with weight off bottom player’s chest

    • Consequence: Butterfly hook becomes fully effective and bottom player can generate powerful lifting mechanics for sweeps
    • ✅ Correction: Drive chest forward and down onto bottom player’s upper body, keeping hips low to minimize hook’s leverage

  • ❌ Allowing bottom player to establish strong underhook on passing side

    • Consequence: Bottom player can elevate top player’s weight and create sweeping opportunities or guard recovery
    • ✅ Correction: Fight for overhook or underhook control, use crossface to prevent bottom player from turning into you

  • ❌ Keeping narrow base with knees too close together

    • Consequence: Unstable platform makes top player vulnerable to sweeps and reduces ability to generate passing pressure
    • ✅ Correction: Widen base with knees spread to create stable foundation while maintaining forward pressure

  • ❌ Focusing only on passing without controlling bottom player’s upper body

    • Consequence: Bottom player can frame, create angles, and either sweep or recover full guard position
    • ✅ Correction: Establish crossface or head control first, then work passing sequences with upper body secured

  • ❌ Allowing bottom player to create too much space between bodies

    • Consequence: Bottom player can insert second butterfly hook, create frames, or initiate guard recovery sequences
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain tight chest-to-chest connection with constant forward pressure to limit bottom player’s space

  • ❌ Committing weight too early to one passing direction

    • Consequence: Bottom player reads commitment and can time sweeps or guard recoveries in opposite direction
    • ✅ Correction: Use feints and weight shifts to create reactions before committing to specific passing lane

  • Butterfly Guard - Parent position - full butterfly guard with both hooks

  • Half Guard - Foundation position - traditional half guard from which butterfly hook is added

  • Deep Half Guard - Common transition target when opponent applies forward pressure

  • X-Guard - Transition target when opponent stands or elevates posture

  • Knee Shield Half Guard - Alternative half guard variation with different defensive structure

  • Dogfight Position - Similar hybrid position with different leg configuration

  • Lockdown - Alternative half guard retention mechanism

  • Butterfly Half Guard - Parent category encompassing half butterfly variations

  • Side Control - Primary target position for top player’s passing attempts

  • Mount - Secondary target for successful sweeps from bottom

  • Back Control - Alternative advancement target from successful back takes

  • Underhook Control - Critical control concept determining success in exchanges