Butterfly Half Guard Top represents a challenging defensive and passing scenario where the top player must simultaneously address two distinct threats: the half guard trap on one leg and the butterfly hook elevation under the other. This dual-threat position requires sophisticated understanding of weight distribution, base management, and strategic pressure application to prevent sweeps while advancing toward passing opportunities. The top player must balance between shutting down the butterfly hook’s elevation potential, freeing the trapped leg from half guard control, and maintaining enough pressure to prevent the bottom player from improving position or transitioning to more dangerous guard variations.
From the top perspective, butterfly half guard presents a complex problem-solving scenario where traditional half guard passing strategies must be modified to account for the butterfly hook’s sweeping leverage. Simple forward pressure, which might be effective against standard half guard, becomes dangerous when a butterfly hook can redirect that momentum into sweep completion. Similarly, attempting to stand and disengage, which might neutralize a pure butterfly guard, is complicated by the half guard trap that prevents easy leg extraction. The successful top player must develop a nuanced understanding of when to apply pressure, when to create distance, and when to transition to alternative passing strategies based on the bottom player’s positioning and attack patterns.
The strategic approach from top butterfly half guard involves several key considerations: controlling the bottom player’s upper body to prevent them from establishing the upright posture necessary for effective sweeps, managing the butterfly hook by controlling its elevation potential through hip positioning and weight distribution, systematically working to free the trapped leg while defending against sweep attempts, and recognizing optimal timing to transition between different passing strategies. The position demands constant vigilance as the bottom player has multiple high-percentage sweeping options and seamless transitions to related guard systems, making it essential for the top player to maintain proactive pressure and strategic positioning rather than reactive defense.
Position Definition
- One of your legs is trapped between opponent’s thighs in half guard configuration with their inside leg calf pressing against your thigh and their outside leg hooking over your hip, requiring constant awareness of their squeeze pressure and potential leg extraction attempts
- Opponent has butterfly hook inserted under your free leg with their foot positioned beneath your thigh creating upward lifting pressure that must be constantly monitored and controlled through weight distribution and hip positioning
- Upper body positioning requires defending against opponent’s underhook attempts on butterfly side while potentially establishing crossface or overhook control to limit their ability to generate upright posture necessary for effective sweeps
- Weight distribution must balance between applying enough forward pressure to threaten passes while not overcommitting to movements that allow butterfly hook elevation to complete sweeps using your own momentum against you
- Base management requires wide stance on free leg and strategic hand posting to prevent being swept while maintaining enough mobility to advance passing sequences when opportunities arise
Prerequisites
- Understanding of base management principles and ability to maintain stable platform despite asymmetric leg positioning
- Knowledge of half guard top fundamentals including trapped leg extraction techniques and crossface control
- Familiarity with butterfly guard defense including controlling hooks and preventing elevation
- Ability to recognize sweep timing and defend against coordinated attacks combining leg drive and upper body pull
- Understanding of when to apply pressure versus when to create distance based on opponent’s positioning
Key Offensive Principles
- Control opponent’s upper body through crossface or overhook to prevent them from establishing upright posture necessary for sweeps
- Manage butterfly hook elevation by keeping hips low and weight distributed to prevent effective upward pressure from completing sweeps
- Work systematically to free trapped leg while defending sweep attempts, never forcing extraction when timing is unfavorable
- Maintain wide base on free leg with strategic hand posting to prevent being swept while preserving mobility for passing
- Recognize when forward pressure is advantageous versus when it creates sweep opportunities for opponent
- Transition between different passing strategies based on opponent’s reactions and positioning adjustments
- Never allow opponent to achieve full seated posture with established grips and active butterfly hook simultaneously
Available Attacks
Half Guard Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Knee Slice Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Smash Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Underhook Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Long Step Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Pressure Pass → Headquarters Position
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent establishes upright posture with active butterfly hook and strong upper body control:
- Execute Smash Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Underhook Pass → Side Control (Probability: 50%)
If opponent’s butterfly hook becomes passive or you control their upper body with crossface:
- Execute Knee Slice Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Half Guard Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
If opponent attempts sweep and commits weight to one direction:
- Execute Smash Pass → Side Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Long Step Pass → Side Control (Probability: 50%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Pass to submission path
Butterfly Half Guard Top → Smash Pass → Side Control → Kimura from Side Control
Pressure passing sequence
Butterfly Half Guard Top → Knee Slice Pass → Side Control → Arm Triangle
Opportunistic submission
Butterfly Half Guard Top → Guillotine Choke (when opponent overextends on sweep attempt)
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 40% | 35% | 10% |
| Intermediate | 55% | 50% | 20% |
| Advanced | 70% | 65% | 30% |
Average Time in Position: 45-120 seconds before pass or sweep occurs
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
From the top position in butterfly half guard, your primary challenge is managing the asymmetric base problem created by having one leg trapped while the other is exposed to butterfly hook elevation. The mechanical solution requires understanding weight distribution principles - you must keep enough weight on the free leg to prevent butterfly hook elevation while maintaining enough pressure through the trapped leg side to threaten passing sequences. The key is recognizing that pure forward pressure is dangerous when opponent has active butterfly hook with upright posture, but becomes safe when you’ve controlled their upper body through crossface or broken their posture. Your passing strategy should focus on systematically removing their offensive tools in order: first control upper body to prevent upright posture, then manage butterfly hook elevation through hip positioning, finally work to free trapped leg when their sweep threats are neutralized. The sophisticated approach treats butterfly half guard top not as a position to escape immediately but as a platform for methodical problem-solving where each defensive element is addressed sequentially rather than simultaneously.
Gordon Ryan
When I’m on top in butterfly half guard, I’m hyper-aware that this is one of the most dangerous positions to be in against high-level guard players because they have multiple high-percentage sweeps and back take opportunities. My first priority is always controlling their upper body - if they can sit up and establish underhook on the butterfly side, I’m in serious danger of being swept. I use aggressive crossface pressure or overhook control to break their posture and prevent them from generating the upright position they need for effective sweeps. Once I have upper body control, I focus on managing the butterfly hook by keeping my hips low and my weight distributed so they can’t elevate effectively. The mistake I see most people make is trying to pass too quickly and forcing movements that create perfect sweep timing for the bottom player. Instead, I work methodically to consolidate position first, then advance the pass when I’ve neutralized their primary threats. If they’re really good at maintaining butterfly half and I can’t pass cleanly, I’ll sometimes accept a scramble situation by driving hard into a smash pass, knowing that even if they defend the initial pass, the scramble favors me because I’m dictating the action.
Eddie Bravo
From top butterfly half guard, you’re in one of the most dangerous positions in the 10th Planet system because the bottom player has direct access to our highest percentage sweeps and transitions to lockdown, deep half, and truck positions. When I’m teaching defense against butterfly half, I emphasize that you cannot give them the upright posture they need - you must be aggressive with your crossface and constantly working to flatten them or break their posture. The butterfly hook is deadly when combined with an underhook, so your priority is controlling their upper body before they can establish that connection. One thing that’s unique about defending against 10th Planet butterfly half is that you have to be aware of the lockdown transition - if you’re not careful about how you pressure, they can quickly convert to lockdown and enter the electric chair sequence which is extremely dangerous. I teach a pressure-passing approach where you use your crossface and chest pressure to flatten them, then work to clear the butterfly hook by controlling their knee and driving it to the mat. The key is being proactive rather than reactive - don’t wait for them to attack and then defend, instead impose your passing game on them before they can fully establish their offensive threats.