Butterfly Pass

The Butterfly Pass is a fundamental guard passing technique designed to neutralize and overcome the butterfly guard’s sweeping threats. This pass relies on superior base, weight distribution, and methodical pressure application to eliminate your opponent’s hooks while advancing to a dominant position. The technique represents the essential answer to butterfly guard retention, combining defensive posture with offensive advancement. Understanding this pass is critical because butterfly guard is one of the most dynamic and threatening guard positions in modern BJJ. The passer must simultaneously defend against powerful sweeps while creating angles to pass. Success depends on recognizing when butterfly hooks are vulnerable, maintaining proper base through strategic weight shifting, and exploiting the opponent’s reactions to secure dominant control. This pass serves as the foundation for all butterfly guard passing strategies.

Starting Position: Butterfly Guard Ending Position: Side Control Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%

Key Principles

• Establish and maintain wide, stable base to resist sweep attempts
• Control opponent’s upper body posture through grips and weight distribution
• Systematically remove butterfly hooks through pressure and positioning
• Create angles to bypass guard recovery attempts
• Use opponent’s defensive reactions to advance position
• Maintain constant forward pressure while preserving base stability
• Secure crossface or underhook control before full commitment to pass

Prerequisites

• Opponent is in butterfly guard with one or both hooks established
• Wide base with knees spread to prevent sweep leverage
• Strong grips on collar and sleeve or body control
• Hips positioned low to minimize sweep vulnerability
• Upper body posture maintained to prevent pulls and off-balancing
• Weight distributed properly to counter hook elevation attempts

Execution Steps

1. Establish wide base and grips: From standing or combat base, widen your knee position significantly beyond shoulder width. Secure collar and sleeve grips (gi) or underhook and overhook controls (no-gi). Lower your hips while keeping chest pressure forward to prevent being pulled off balance. Your base width should make it geometrically impossible for opponent’s hooks to generate sweeping leverage.
2. Control upper body posture: Drive your chest forward and downward toward opponent’s upper body while maintaining collar grip or head control. This forward pressure prevents opponent from creating the space needed for effective sweeps. Keep your elbows tight to your body to defend against arm drags. Your posture should make opponent feel heavy and compressed.
3. Identify and address primary hook: Determine which butterfly hook poses the greatest sweep threat (typically the side where opponent has better upper body control). Begin addressing this hook first by shifting your weight toward that side and lowering your hip. The goal is to flatten the hook by removing the angle it needs to elevate your body.
4. Remove primary butterfly hook: Using strategic hip pressure and base shifting, drive your hip down and across the butterfly hook, forcing opponent’s knee flat to the mat. Simultaneously slide your knee inside their thigh line while maintaining forward chest pressure. The hook loses all mechanical advantage once flattened. This movement must be controlled to avoid giving opponent’s other hook an opportunity.
5. Secure underhook or crossface control: As the first hook is neutralized, immediately establish an underhook on that side or secure a strong crossface on the opposite side. This control prevents guard recovery and begins establishing the dominant frames needed for side control. Your shoulder should be driving into opponent’s chest or face, creating immense pressure and limiting their mobility.
6. Address secondary hook and advance: With upper body control secured, address the remaining butterfly hook using similar hip pressure and base positioning. As this hook is flattened, slide your knee across opponent’s centerline while maintaining chest pressure. Your body should be transitioning from square to perpendicular alignment with opponent’s torso.
7. Complete pass to side control: Once both hooks are neutralized and your body is perpendicular to opponent, drop your weight fully onto their chest while securing underhook and crossface. Your chest should be heavy on theirs with your base wide and stable. Establish traditional side control grips and begin consolidating position, ensuring opponent cannot recover guard or create frames.

Opponent Counters

• Opponent sits up explosively to maintain butterfly hooks and attempt sweep (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Immediately drive your chest down harder, using collar grip or head control to break their posture back down. Lower your hips further to remove sweep angles and maintain wide base.
• Opponent transitions to deep half guard as you clear hooks (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Prevent the deep half entry by keeping your near leg heavy and driving crossface pressure. If they begin the transition, immediately switch to deep half guard passing strategies, focusing on hip isolation.
• Opponent attempts arm drag to take your back during pass (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Keep your elbows extremely tight to your body and maintain forward pressure. If arm drag begins, circle away from the drag direction while maintaining base and establishing defensive grips.
• Opponent recovers closed guard or half guard during transition (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Recognize guard recovery attempts early and increase hip pressure on that side. Use your grips to prevent leg insertion and drive your knee across centerline more aggressively while maintaining chest pressure.
• Opponent uses butterfly hooks to create distance and stand up (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Maintain constant forward pressure and heavy grips on upper body. If they begin standing, either follow them up to maintain pressure or establish strong grip controls to prevent their escape.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Standing too upright or losing forward chest pressure during pass
  • Consequence: Opponent easily sits up, maintains hooks, and executes sweeps with proper posture and leverage
  • Correction: Maintain constant forward pressure with chest driving toward opponent’s upper body. Your posture should feel like you’re leaning heavily on them while keeping your base wide for stability.
• Mistake: Base too narrow allowing butterfly hooks to generate sweep leverage
  • Consequence: Opponent successfully elevates you with butterfly hooks and completes sweeps to mount or top position
  • Correction: Keep knees spread significantly wider than shoulder width throughout the entire passing sequence. Your wide base should make it geometrically impossible for hooks to create sweeping angles.
• Mistake: Attempting to pass both hooks simultaneously without methodical control
  • Consequence: Opponent maintains at least one hook and uses it to sweep or recover full guard position
  • Correction: Address hooks systematically one at a time. Neutralize the primary threat hook first with hip pressure, secure control, then address the secondary hook from a position of dominance.
• Mistake: Neglecting upper body control while addressing butterfly hooks
  • Consequence: Opponent sits up, establishes grips, or transitions to alternative guards like deep half or X-guard
  • Correction: Always maintain strong collar/head control or underhook before and during hook removal. Upper body control prevents postural recovery and alternative guard transitions.
• Mistake: Crossing feet or bringing knees together during pass progression
  • Consequence: Opponent capitalizes on narrow base to sweep or transition to more advantageous guard positions
  • Correction: Keep your feet wide and knees spread throughout entire pass. Only bring your weight across centerline once hooks are completely neutralized and control is established.
• Mistake: Failure to secure underhook or crossface before completing pass
  • Consequence: Opponent easily recovers guard, creates frames, or escapes as you attempt to establish side control
  • Correction: Before dropping your full weight into side control, ensure you have secured at least one major control point (underhook or crossface). This control makes the pass completion inevitable.
• Mistake: Moving too quickly without pressure, allowing opponent to create space
  • Consequence: Opponent uses created space to recover hooks, insert knees for guard retention, or escape entirely
  • Correction: Move methodically with constant pressure at every stage. Your weight should always be bearing down on opponent, limiting their movement options and preventing space creation.

Training Progressions

Week 1-2: Fundamental Mechanics - Establishing proper base, posture, and hook removal mechanics Begin with stationary drills focusing on wide base positioning and proper posture from butterfly guard. Practice systematic hook removal on cooperative partners who maintain butterfly position without resistance. Emphasize feeling how hip pressure neutralizes hook leverage. Drill 20-30 repetitions per session focusing on mechanical precision rather than speed. (Resistance: None)

Week 3-4: Pressure Application - Adding forward pressure and upper body control Partner provides light resistance by attempting to maintain hooks and posture. Practice maintaining heavy chest pressure while systematically removing hooks. Begin incorporating collar grips and head control. Work on feeling the timing of when hooks lose mechanical advantage. Drill sequences of hook removal to side control completion with light resistance. (Resistance: Light)

Week 5-8: Counter Defense - Defending common sweeps and transitions during pass Partner actively attempts butterfly sweeps and transitions to deep half or alternative guards. Practice recognizing and countering these attempts while maintaining passing progression. Focus on base maintenance under sweep pressure and preventing common guard transitions. Begin working at moderate speed with realistic resistance levels. (Resistance: Medium)

Week 9-12: Grip Fighting Integration - Dealing with opponent’s grips and upper body defense Partner uses full grip fighting and posture maintenance while attempting to prevent the pass. Practice breaking grips, establishing your own controls, and maintaining forward pressure against active resistance. Work on recognizing when opponent’s defensive posture creates passing opportunities. Increase intensity to near-competition levels. (Resistance: Medium)

Month 4-6: Competition Application - Full resistance with strategic decision-making Practice against partners who use their best butterfly guard retention and sweeps. Focus on reading opponent’s weight distribution and timing hook removal attempts perfectly. Work on chaining this pass with alternative butterfly passing strategies. Include positional sparring starting from butterfly guard with full resistance and competition mindsets. (Resistance: Full)

Ongoing: Variation and Adaptation - Adapting to different body types and styles Practice against various opponents with different butterfly guard styles (aggressive sweepers, technical retainers, transition specialists). Work on adapting your base width, pressure application, and timing based on opponent characteristics. Continue refining technique against increasingly sophisticated butterfly guard players. (Resistance: Full)

Variations

Double Under Butterfly Pass: Instead of collar and sleeve grips, secure double underhooks on opponent’s arms while maintaining wide base. Drive forward with heavy shoulder pressure on their chest while systematically removing hooks. This variant provides superior upper body control but requires careful base maintenance. (When to use: Against opponents who rely heavily on sleeve and collar grips for their butterfly guard. Particularly effective in no-gi where fabric grips are unavailable. Best used when opponent sits relatively upright.)

Knee Slice Butterfly Pass: As you remove the first butterfly hook, immediately insert your knee across opponent’s centerline in a slicing motion toward their far hip. This creates a knee slice position while the remaining hook is being addressed. Combines butterfly passing with knee slice mechanics for faster completion. (When to use: When opponent’s butterfly guard is relatively shallow or when they lack strong upper body control. Effective against opponents who are slow to recover guard once hooks are compromised.)

Standing Butterfly Pass: From standing posture with opponent seated in butterfly guard, maintain strong collar and sleeve grips while using standing base to resist sweeps. Use strategic stepping and hip positioning to remove hooks from above before dropping into passing position. Requires excellent grip control and footwork. (When to use: Against opponents with extremely threatening seated butterfly guard sweeps. Useful when you want to maintain distance before committing to ground-based passing. Common in competition scenarios where standing creates strategic advantages.)

Smash Butterfly Pass: After removing first hook, immediately drive crossface and use heavy shoulder pressure to flatten opponent while sliding your body perpendicular. Focuses on crushing pressure and rapid position advancement rather than methodical hook removal. More aggressive and faster-paced than standard butterfly pass. (When to use: When you have significant weight or strength advantage. Effective in no-gi where slicker surface allows faster sliding movements. Best used when opponent is already partially flattened or defensive.)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: Why is maintaining a wide base crucial when passing butterfly guard? A: A wide base is essential because butterfly hooks generate sweeping leverage by creating angles between the passer’s points of contact with the mat. When your knees are spread significantly wider than your opponent’s hooks can reach, the geometric relationship makes it impossible for them to elevate your center of mass effectively. The butterfly sweep relies on getting under your hips with their feet while controlling your upper body - a wide base places your hips outside the range where their hooks can create the necessary leverage. Additionally, the wide base provides lateral stability against off-angle sweep attempts and allows you to shift weight strategically without compromising balance.

Q2: What is the primary mechanical goal when removing butterfly hooks during the pass? A: The primary mechanical goal is to flatten the butterfly hooks by removing the vertical angle they need to generate upward force. Butterfly hooks only function as sweeping tools when they can elevate - once the hook is pressed flat to the mat through hip pressure and strategic weight distribution, it loses all mechanical advantage. You accomplish this by lowering your hip toward the mat on the side of the hook while maintaining forward pressure, creating a downward vector that overpowers the hook’s intended upward trajectory. The flattened hook cannot elevate your body, making it safe to advance position while the opponent’s sweep threat is neutralized.

Q3: How does forward chest pressure contribute to successful butterfly guard passing? A: Forward chest pressure serves multiple critical functions in butterfly passing. First, it prevents opponent from achieving the upright posture they need for effective sweeps - butterfly sweeps require the guard player to sit up and establish grips while maintaining hook engagement. Heavy chest pressure makes sitting up extremely difficult. Second, forward pressure creates psychological and physical discomfort that forces defensive reactions rather than offensive attacks. Third, it limits the space opponent needs to transition to alternative guards like deep half or X-guard. Finally, constant forward pressure maintains your offensive momentum throughout the pass, preventing opponent from creating the separation needed to recover or reset their guard position.

Q4: What is the correct sequence for addressing multiple butterfly hooks and why does order matter? A: The correct sequence is to identify and neutralize the primary threat hook first (typically the side where opponent has superior upper body control or grip dominance), then address the secondary hook from a position of greater control. Order matters because attempting to clear both hooks simultaneously divides your pressure and creates vulnerabilities on both sides. By fully neutralizing one hook first, you eliminate half of opponent’s sweeping potential while establishing control frames (underhook or crossface) that make addressing the second hook significantly safer and easier. The primary hook is determined by assessing which side opponent has better grips, posture, or leverage - neutralizing this threat first prevents their highest percentage attacks while you’re most vulnerable during the passing transition.

Q5: Why must you secure underhook or crossface control before completing the pass to side control? A: Securing underhook or crossface control before completing the pass is essential because these control points prevent guard recovery and establish the dominant frames necessary for side control consolidation. Without these controls, even after removing butterfly hooks, opponent can easily insert knees for guard retention, create frames to generate space, or shrimp away to recover position. The underhook or crossface serves as an anchor point that pins opponent’s upper body while you transition your hips and legs into final passing position. Attempting to complete the pass without this control leaves you vulnerable during the transition and makes side control establishment tentative rather than dominant. These controls transform a positional advantage into a secured dominant position.

Q6: How should you respond if opponent attempts to transition to deep half guard during your butterfly pass? A: If opponent begins transitioning to deep half guard during your butterfly pass, immediately increase crossface pressure while keeping your near leg heavy and driving your hip down to prevent them from getting deep under your leg. Your weight should shift toward the side they’re trying to attack, making it difficult for them to secure the deep half position. If they manage to get partial deep half positioning, switch your strategy from butterfly passing to deep half passing mechanics - focus on hip isolation, preventing their lockdown, and establishing controls specific to deep half escapes. The key is early recognition: once you see them beginning to scoop your leg or get their head to your far hip, adjust your weight distribution immediately to prevent them from establishing the position fully.

Safety Considerations

When practicing butterfly passing, both passer and guard player should be mindful of knee and hip stress. The passer should avoid dropping their full weight suddenly onto opponent’s legs, which can cause knee hyperextension or strain. When removing hooks with hip pressure, apply force gradually rather than explosively to allow partner’s joints to adjust. The guard player should tap if they feel excessive pressure on their knees or hips during hook removal, particularly if the passer’s weight creates uncomfortable joint angles. During drilling, start with light resistance and gradually increase intensity as both partners develop familiarity with the mechanics. Partners with existing knee or hip injuries should communicate this clearly and may need to modify the technique or use alternative passing strategies. Always ensure adequate mat space around training partners to prevent accidental collisions during sweeping attempts or pass completions.

Position Integration

The Butterfly Pass serves as a fundamental component of any complete guard passing system, representing the primary answer to one of BJJ’s most dynamic and threatening guard positions. This technique integrates seamlessly with pressure passing frameworks, as it relies on constant forward pressure and methodical advancement rather than explosive movements. In competition scenarios, the butterfly pass often chains with other passing strategies - if opponent defends the butterfly pass by transitioning to deep half or alternative guards, the passer can flow directly into position-specific passing techniques. The butterfly pass also connects to standing passing strategies, as many competitors begin their butterfly passing sequences from standing before committing to ground-based pressure. Understanding this pass is essential for anyone developing a top game, as butterfly guard appears frequently in both gi and no-gi competition across all skill levels. The systematic approach to removing hooks and establishing control translates directly to other guard passing situations where methodical pressure overcomes dynamic retention.

Related Techniques

• Butterfly Guard - Primary position being passed
• Butterfly Hook Control - Specific control being neutralized
• Double Under Pass - Alternative butterfly passing strategy
• Knee Slice Pass - Follow-up pass after hook removal
• Side Control - Ending position and objective
• Deep Half Guard - Common counter transition to defend
• Butterfly Sweep - Primary attack being defended against
• Pressure Pass - Overarching strategic framework
• X-Guard - Alternative guard transition to prevent
• Half Butterfly - Related guard position variation
• Over-Under Pass - Complementary pressure passing technique
• Smash Pass - Alternative aggressive passing approach

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The butterfly pass represents a masterclass in biomechanical problem-solving under pressure. The fundamental challenge is this: your opponent has positioned their body to create maximum sweeping leverage through optimal hook placement and upper body control - your task is to systematically dismantle this leverage structure without exposing yourself to the very attacks you’re trying to neutralize. The solution lies in understanding the geometric relationships at play. Butterfly hooks only generate sweeping force when they create an angle relative to your base - eliminate this angle through width and you eliminate the threat. The wide base is not merely defensive; it’s an offensive weapon that makes your position geometrically immune to certain attacks while you advance. When removing hooks, you must understand that you’re not fighting against muscular strength but against mechanical advantage - use hip pressure to change the angle of their hook from vertical to horizontal, transforming a dangerous lever into a neutralized limb. The crossface and underhook are not optional finishing touches but essential control points that must be secured before committing your weight, as they serve as anchors preventing the guard recovery that would otherwise be inevitable. Study the geometry of base width relative to hook placement, and you will understand why this pass succeeds or fails at a fundamental level.
• Gordon Ryan: In competition, the butterfly pass is one of my highest-percentage techniques because it’s fundamentally sound against every level of opponent - from hobbyists to world champions. What makes this pass championship-caliber is that it doesn’t rely on catching opponent making mistakes; it works through systematic pressure application that creates opportunities even against perfect defensive posture. The critical detail everyone misses is that your chest pressure isn’t just about preventing them from sitting up - it’s about making every second in their guard psychologically and physically exhausting. When I’m passing butterfly, I want my opponent feeling crushed, compressed, and desperate for relief. This mental state forces them to make the defensive reactions I’m looking for - posting hands, attempting to create space, rushing their sweep attempts before I’m vulnerable. Against elite competitors, I use this pass as a pressure gauge: if they can maintain their butterfly guard comfortably against my pressure, I know I need to increase intensity or change strategies. If they’re struggling under the weight, I know the pass is inevitable and I just need to execute systematically. The standing butterfly pass variation is particularly valuable in IBJJF rules where staying standing earns you nothing but gives you strategic advantages in grip fighting and timing. Master this pass with genuine crushing pressure, and you’ll pass butterfly guard on anyone.
• Eddie Bravo: The traditional butterfly pass is solid fundamentally, but in 10th Planet we’ve evolved how we think about dealing with butterfly hooks because modern no-gi butterfly guard has become so sophisticated with guys like Cobrinha and Miyao brothers making it a legitimate championship-level position. The key innovation is understanding that butterfly passing isn’t just about removing hooks - it’s about controlling the transition game. Savvy butterfly players aren’t just trying to sweep you; they’re trying to use your passing pressure to transition to deep half, X-guard, or leg entanglement positions where they’re even more dangerous. So when I teach butterfly passing, I emphasize recognizing and shutting down these transitions before they start. The whizzer becomes incredibly important in our system because it not only helps control their upper body but it prevents the deep half entry that’s coming when you start pressuring their hooks. We also use a lot more strategic distance management - sometimes we’ll actually create space intentionally to bait the butterfly sweep attempt, then sprawl and take the back rather than completing a traditional pass. The fundamental mechanics of the butterfly pass are still essential - wide base, pressure, systematic hook removal - but the advanced game is about reading what transition they’re setting up and hitting them with the appropriate counter before they get there. Train this pass but stay creative with your responses when they start defending like they’ve seen it before.