The Butterfly Sweep is a fundamental attacking technique from butterfly guard that exploits opponent’s weight distribution and base. By using butterfly hooks (feet positioned on opponent’s inner thighs) combined with precise hip movement and off-balancing mechanics, the practitioner elevates and destabilizes the opponent, reversing position from bottom to top. This sweep is particularly effective when the opponent commits their weight forward or attempts to pass, creating the perfect opportunity for the guard player to capitalize on compromised balance. The technique exemplifies efficient use of leverage over strength, making it accessible to practitioners of all sizes and suitable against larger opponents. The butterfly sweep serves as a cornerstone technique in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, forming the foundation for numerous guard systems and serving as a gateway to more advanced butterfly guard attacks.
Starting Position: Butterfly Guard Ending Position: Mount Success Rates: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 70%
Key Principles
- Control opponent’s upper body with underhooks or collar grips before initiating sweep
- Use butterfly hooks actively to break opponent’s base and create elevation
- Generate momentum through hip movement and forward rotation
- Break opponent’s posture by pulling them onto your centerline
- Time the sweep when opponent’s weight shifts forward or they attempt to pass
- Maintain connection throughout the sweep to prevent opponent from posting
- Follow through completely to establish dominant top position
Prerequisites
- Butterfly guard established with both hooks inserted on opponent’s inner thighs
- Upper body control secured through underhooks, overhooks, or collar grips
- Opponent’s weight brought forward onto your centerline
- Proper distance maintained - close enough for control, far enough for hook effectiveness
- Hip position elevated slightly off the mat for explosive elevation
- Base hand posted for stability and directional control
Execution Steps
- Establish butterfly guard control: Sit up in butterfly guard with both feet positioned as hooks on opponent’s inner thighs, balls of feet making contact. Secure upper body control with underhooks or collar grips, bringing opponent’s weight forward onto your centerline. Maintain active posture with chest up and hips mobile. (Timing: Initial position - take time to secure proper grips and hooks)
- Break opponent’s posture: Pull opponent forward using your grips while simultaneously driving your forehead or shoulder into their chest. This breaks their posture and brings their weight onto you, compromising their base. Your goal is to get them heavy on top of you, making it difficult for them to post or resist the sweep. (Timing: 1-2 seconds of steady pulling pressure)
- Post base hand: Post your non-sweeping hand (typically the hand opposite to your sweep direction) on the mat behind you for stability and leverage. This hand acts as a pivot point and prevents you from falling backward. Keep elbow slightly bent to absorb pressure and maintain structural integrity. (Timing: Simultaneous with step 2)
- Elevate with primary hook: Drive your primary butterfly hook (the one on the side you’re sweeping toward) upward and slightly across your body, lifting opponent’s near leg off the mat. Extend your knee forcefully while maintaining flexion in your hip. This elevation breaks opponent’s base and initiates the rolling momentum. (Timing: Explosive movement - 0.5 seconds)
- Generate rotational momentum: As you elevate with your hook, simultaneously fall to your base hand side while pulling opponent across your body with your grips. Your body acts as a fulcrum, using your hip movement and upper body control to rotate opponent over you. Drive through with your hips, creating a scooping motion that amplifies the sweep. (Timing: Continuous motion with step 4)
- Follow through to top position: Continue the rotational momentum until opponent is inverted, then drive forward with your entire body to establish mount or side control. Remove your hooks as you transition on top, replacing them with knee pressure and hip control. Secure the dominant position immediately by establishing strong crossface and underhook control before opponent can recover guard. (Timing: 1-2 seconds to complete the sweep and establish position)
Opponent Counters
- Opponent posts hand to mat on the sweep side, creating a strong base to prevent being rolled (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Switch to attacking the posted arm with a Kimura grip or redirect sweep to the opposite side, exploiting their committed weight distribution. Alternatively, transition to X-Guard by adjusting your hooks.
- Opponent sprawls backward, removing weight from your hooks and sitting back on their heels (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Follow opponent’s backward movement by transitioning to Deep Half Guard or Single Leg X-Guard. Alternatively, stand up using Technical Standup and pursue takedown opportunities or re-engage guard.
- Opponent crossfaces heavily, driving their forearm across your face to break your posture and control (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Address the crossface by framing against it with your near arm while maintaining hooks. Transition to outside position by switching grips, or attack the exposed arm with Kimura or Guillotine entries.
- Opponent widens their base by stepping one leg out wide, creating a tripod stance (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Target the remaining near leg with both hooks, concentrating your elevation on one side. Alternatively, transition to Single Leg X-Guard by adjusting your hook position to control the extended leg.
- Opponent stands up completely, removing all weight from hooks and attempting to disengage (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Maintain grip control and transition to standing guard options like De La Riva or Shin-to-Shin. Use your hooks to off-balance opponent as they stand, potentially setting up Standing Back Take or sacrifice throws.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the primary mechanical principle that makes the butterfly sweep effective against larger opponents? A: The butterfly sweep uses leverage and rotational momentum rather than pure strength. By establishing a fulcrum with the posted base hand and using the butterfly hook to break opponent’s base while pulling them across your centerline, you create a wheel-like rotation that multiplies force. The technique redirects opponent’s weight and uses their own mass against them, making size difference less relevant. Proper execution requires coordination of multiple components (hook elevation, upper body pull, hip rotation) occurring simultaneously to generate circular momentum that opponent cannot resist with base alone.
Q2: Why is breaking opponent’s posture essential before attempting the butterfly sweep? A: Breaking posture serves multiple critical functions: it brings opponent’s weight onto your centerline, compromising their base and making them easier to off-balance; it prevents them from seeing the sweep coming and reacting with early posts; it creates forward momentum that you redirect during the sweep; and it limits their ability to drive into you with pressure. Without broken posture, opponent maintains strong base with weight distributed on their knees and feet, making the sweep a low-percentage pushing contest. Proper posture breaking makes opponent heavy on top of you, which paradoxically makes them easier to sweep because their weight becomes a liability when you redirect it.
Q3: What should you do if your opponent posts their hand on the mat during your butterfly sweep attempt? A: The posted hand creates a strong defensive base but also creates opportunities. Primary response is to attack the posted arm with Kimura grip, as the arm is extended and isolated. Alternatively, redirect your sweep to the opposite side, as opponent’s weight is now committed to the posted side. You can also transition to X-Guard by adjusting your hooks to control the opposite leg. Advanced practitioners may continue the sweep by removing the posted hand through grip breaks or by generating enough rotational momentum to overcome the post. The key is recognizing the post early and immediately transitioning to your planned response rather than fighting against the post.
Q4: How does the base hand posting position contribute to sweep success? A: The base hand acts as the pivot point or fulcrum for the rotational sweep motion. Posted behind you with slight elbow bend, it prevents you from falling backward and provides structural stability throughout the sweep. The hand creates an axis of rotation that allows your body to act as a wheel, with opponent being rolled over the top. Proper posting allows you to generate leverage by creating distance between your posted hand and your hooks, maximizing the mechanical advantage. Without the base hand post, you risk collapsing backward, losing all momentum and often ending up underneath opponent in mount. The post must be established before initiating the sweep and maintained throughout the motion.
Q5: What is the difference between a successful butterfly sweep and an incomplete sweep that ends in scramble? A: A successful sweep features complete position reversal where you establish mount or side control with opponent’s back on the mat. This requires: proper posture breaking before initiation; coordinated execution of all sweep components; sufficient rotational momentum to fully invert opponent; immediate extraction of hooks as opponent inverts; aggressive forward drive to establish top position; and instant consolidation with crossface and underhook control. An incomplete sweep typically results from: inadequate posture breaking leaving opponent’s base intact; poor coordination causing weak momentum; early hook extraction preventing full inversion; lack of follow-through allowing opponent to turtle; or telegraphing the sweep allowing opponent to prepare defenses. The key distinction is intention and execution - you must commit fully to the sweep and drive through completely rather than hoping opponent will fall over.
Q6: When opponent sprawls backward away from your butterfly hooks, what immediate transition options are available? A: When opponent sprawls backward, they remove weight from your hooks but expose opportunities for guard transitions. Primary option is Deep Half Guard by following their backward motion and sliding one leg deep under their body. Alternatively, transition to Single Leg X-Guard by adjusting your hooks to control one leg. You can also pursue Technical Standup to standing position, maintaining grip control as you rise. Another option is transitioning to Shin-to-Shin or De La Riva guard if opponent stays on their knees. The critical element is maintaining grip control and immediately following opponent’s movement rather than trying to pull them back onto your hooks. Train these transitions as direct sequences from failed butterfly sweep attempts.
Safety Considerations
The butterfly sweep is generally safe when practiced with proper progression and partner communication. Primary safety concerns include: neck and spine protection during the sweep - ensure partner can tuck chin and roll properly to avoid landing awkwardly on head or neck; knee stress on the sweeping practitioner from over-relying on leg strength rather than coordinated technique; finger and wrist injuries from improper grip breaking during resistance - maintain proper grip structure and release grips if caught awkwardly; shoulder stress from posted arm if weight lands incorrectly - keep elbow slightly bent on posted arm. During training, start with cooperative drilling to establish proper mechanics before adding resistance. Partners should communicate about neck or knee issues that might require modified drilling. When being swept, learn to roll properly and avoid posting hands at awkward angles. Competition-level resistance should only be applied after both partners have developed technical proficiency and understand proper breakfalls. If either partner experiences pain during the sweep, stop immediately and assess technique.
Position Integration
The butterfly sweep serves as a cornerstone technique in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guard systems, particularly the butterfly guard framework popularized by Marcelo Garcia and other high-level competitors. It functions as the primary attacking option from butterfly guard, with success rates increasing significantly when combined with proper threat sequences. The sweep integrates seamlessly with other butterfly guard attacks including Guillotine entries, Arm Drag to Back Take transitions, and X-Guard developments. When opponent defends the butterfly sweep by posting or sprawling, these defensive reactions open opportunities for the guard player to attack exposed limbs or transition to alternative guard systems. The technique also serves as a fundamental drilling movement that develops essential BJJ attributes: hip mobility, grip fighting, off-balancing mechanics, and coordinated body movement. Practitioners typically learn butterfly sweep early in their training (white to blue belt) and continue refining it throughout their careers, as the technique remains effective at all levels when executed with proper timing and setup. The sweep connects to the broader positional hierarchy by providing a reliable method to advance from guard to mount, worth 4 points in IBJJF competition, making it a critical scoring technique.
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The butterfly sweep represents a perfect example of systemic mechanical efficiency in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The technique succeeds not through muscular force but through optimal lever arm creation and directional force application. When we analyze the sweep biomechanically, we see three critical force vectors working in coordination: the upward and lateral force from the butterfly hook creating elevation and base disruption; the pulling force from upper body grips bringing opponent’s center of mass across your centerline; and the rotational force generated by your hip movement around the posted hand fulcrum. The timing of these force applications is crucial - they must occur nearly simultaneously to create the overwhelming momentum that prevents defensive reactions. Common technical failures stem from attempting to generate force through single-vector application, typically over-reliance on hook elevation without corresponding upper body pull or hip rotation. The most sophisticated practitioners understand that the butterfly sweep is not about lifting opponent over your head but about creating a circular momentum that opponent cannot resist regardless of their size or strength. This circular motion, pivoting around your posted base hand, multiplies your force through mechanical advantage. Training should emphasize the feeling of rotation rather than lifting, and practitioners should focus on coordinating all three force vectors with precise timing. The sweep should feel effortless when executed correctly, as you are working with physics rather than against them.
- Gordon Ryan: In high-level competition, the butterfly sweep is one of the highest-percentage techniques you can develop because it forces opponents into reactive defensive positions that open other attacks. My success with butterfly guard, particularly against elite opponents, comes from understanding that the sweep itself is often the setup for what you really want - the back take, the arm attack, or the guard transition. When I threaten a legitimate butterfly sweep, opponents have limited defensive options: they can post their hand, which gives me Kimura entries; they can sprawl backward, which gives me Deep Half or Single Leg X transitions; they can try to smash pass, which gives me Guillotine opportunities; or they can stand, which gives me standing guard attacks. The key competitive insight is that you must sell the butterfly sweep threat completely - if opponent doesn’t believe you’ll sweep them, they won’t react defensively and you don’t get these entries. I drill the basic butterfly sweep constantly, not because I’m always trying to finish it, but because perfecting the mechanics makes my threat more credible. In competition, I’m typically looking to chain: butterfly sweep attempt to Kimura attack to back take to rear naked choke. The sweep is the entry point for this entire system. Against high-level opponents who defend the sweep well, I’ve developed specific setups including off-balancing sequences, grip fighting patterns, and timing the sweep with their passing attempts. The most important competition-specific detail is maintaining constant offensive pressure from butterfly guard - you cannot be passive and expect the sweep to appear. You must actively create the opportunity through grip fighting, posturing up, and threatening multiple attacks simultaneously.
- Eddie Bravo: The butterfly sweep is fundamental, but in the 10th Planet system we’ve developed some sick variations that make it way more effective in no-gi situations where you don’t have collar grips to fall back on. The traditional butterfly sweep works, but against good wrestlers and no-gi specialists who know how to sprawl and scramble, you need adaptations. We focus heavily on the connection between butterfly sweeps and waiter position entries - when they defend the sweep by sitting back, we’re immediately transitioning to waiter sweep or deep half variations. The overhook butterfly sweep is huge for us because it prevents the post that kills most butterfly sweep attempts. By controlling that near arm with an overhook and pulling it across their body, you eliminate their primary defense while creating additional off-balancing. We also chain butterfly sweep with calf slice attacks - when they defend by sprawling back, their legs are exposed for calf slicer entries from the hook position. Another innovation we emphasize is using butterfly sweep mechanics from different starting positions, not just clean butterfly guard. You can hit butterfly sweep variations from half butterfly, from scrambles, even from failed takedown attempts if you understand the mechanical principles. The key innovation in 10th Planet approach is treating butterfly guard as a transitional position rather than static guard - we’re constantly moving, constantly threatening, using butterfly hooks as tools for off-balancing rather than just sweep execution. When you combine butterfly sweep threat with lockdown entries, rubber guard transitions, and leg attack systems, it becomes part of a comprehensive no-gi guard system that’s way harder to defend than any single technique in isolation.