BJJ Graph

Butterfly Sweep

Jun 15, 202512 min read

Butterfly Sweep

bjjtransitionsweepguardfundamental

Transition Properties

  • Transition ID: T501
  • Starting State: Butterfly Guard
  • Ending State: Top Position or specifically Side Control, Mount
  • Success Probability: Beginner (60%), Intermediate (75%), Advanced (85%)
  • Execution Complexity: Low to Medium
  • Physical Attributes: Hip Drive (High), Timing (Medium), Grip Strength (Medium)

Transition Description

The Butterfly Sweep is a fundamental sweeping technique executed from the Butterfly Guard that uses the practitioner’s butterfly hook(s) and upper body control to efficiently overturn an opponent from top position to bottom position. Unlike many other sweeps that rely on complex gripping or timing, the Butterfly Sweep leverages simple mechanical principles of elevating the opponent’s base with the legs while simultaneously pulling their upper body forward and to the side, creating a powerful combination that compromises balance. This technique represents one of the most efficient and high-percentage sweeps in BJJ, functioning effectively across all levels of competition and in both gi and no-gi contexts. The Butterfly Sweep’s enduring relevance in the BJJ meta-game stems from its mechanical simplicity, its adaptability across contexts, and the powerful foundation it creates for both sweep and submission chains.

Visual Execution Sequence

Detailed description for clear visualization of the transition in action:

From a seated Butterfly Guard, you sit with your feet hooked under the opponent’s thighs, close to their hips, while they are on their knees or in a combat base, attempting to maintain posture or initiate a guard pass. You establish upper body control by securing an underhook on one side, pulling their torso close to disrupt their balance, while your other hand may control their wrist or collar to prevent posting. Shifting your body slightly off-center towards the underhook side, you create an angle that maximizes leverage for the sweep. With a coordinated effort, you pull their upper body forward and to the side with your underhook while simultaneously elevating their hips using your butterfly hooks, driving through your legs to lift their weight off the mat. As their balance breaks and they begin to topple, you guide their momentum in the sweeping direction, rolling them over your shoulder or hip to the mat. Finally, you follow their movement, maintaining control to land in a dominant top position such as Side Control or Mount, ready to consolidate your advantage.

Template: “From seated Butterfly Guard, hooks under opponent’s thighs, they kneel or combat base. Secure underhook on one side, control wrist or collar with other hand. Shift body off-center to underhook side for angle. Pull upper body forward and side with underhook, elevate hips with hooks. Guide momentum to roll opponent over shoulder or hip. Follow to land in Side Control or Mount.”

Execution Steps

  1. Establish proper Butterfly Guard with hook(s) positioned under opponent’s thigh(s), close to their hips for maximum leverage.
  2. Secure appropriate upper body control, typically an underhook on one side, to pull opponent close and disrupt posture.
  3. Create an appropriate angle relative to opponent by shifting your body off-center, typically towards the control side.
  4. Coordinate upper body pull with powerful butterfly hook elevation, using your legs to lift opponent’s weight.
  5. Lift opponent’s hips with leg drive while compromising their upper body posture with your pull, breaking their balance.
  6. Guide opponent’s momentum in the sweeping direction, typically to the side of upper body control, rolling them over.
  7. Follow opponent’s movement to maintain control during positional transition, ensuring a smooth reversal.
  8. Establish dominant top position as sweep completes, such as Side Control or Mount, to consolidate advantage.

Key Details

  • Hook Placement: Foot positioned directly under opponent’s thigh, close to hip for optimal lift.
  • Upper Body Control: Various options including underhook, overhook, collar tie, sleeve grip to disrupt posture.
  • Angle Creation: Typically off-center toward control side rather than directly in front for better leverage.
  • Hip Position: Close to opponent with minimal space to maximize hook leverage and elevation power.
  • Timing Element: Coordinated upper and lower body movement for maximum efficiency in breaking balance.
  • Weight Commitment: Opponent must have weight committed forward for optimal effectiveness of the sweep.
  • Body Alignment: Practitioner’s body typically aligned at angle to opponent to facilitate directional pull.
  • Follow-through: Continuous control through positional transition to secure top position.

Success Modifiers

Factors that influence the success rate of the transition:

  • Hook Depth: Deep positioning under opponent’s thighs for maximum lift (+15%)
  • Upper Body Control: Strong underhook or grip to disrupt posture (+10%)
  • Angle Precision: Correct off-center positioning for leverage (+10%)
  • Timing: Execution when opponent’s weight is forward (+10%)
  • Experience Level: Familiarity with sweep mechanics (+5% per skill level)

Common Counters and Counter-Attacks

Analysis of opponent responses with success rates for counter-attacks:

Decision Logic for Opponent Behavior

If [opponent weight] is committed forward:
- Execute [[Butterfly Sweep]] (Probability: 80%)

Else if [opponent base] is wide and stable:
- Attempt [[Arm Drag]] first to disrupt posture (Probability: 50%)

Else if [opponent head] is postured up strongly:
- Transition to [[Collar Tie Control]] (Probability: 55%)

Else if [opponent pass] attempt begins:
- Adjust to [[Double Butterfly Sweep]] (Probability: 60%)

Else [maintain control]:
- Reinforce hooks and wait for weight shift (Probability: 45%)

Variants

  • Traditional Butterfly Sweep (underhook control to same side for standard reversal)
  • Double Butterfly Sweep (using both hooks simultaneously for powerful lift)
  • Cross Butterfly Sweep (sweeping to opposite side of control for surprise)
  • Gi-specific Butterfly Sweep (using collar/sleeve grips for added control)
  • No-Gi Butterfly Sweep (using neck tie or underhook control for grip)
  • Single Butterfly Sweep (using only one hook for specific scenarios)
  • Arm Drag Butterfly Sweep (combining arm drag motion to isolate arm)
  • Modified Butterfly Sweep (various grip configurations for adaptability)

Expert Insights

  • John Danaher: “The Butterfly Sweep is a primary offensive option from the seated guard position, focusing on precise mechanical details of hook positioning and upper body control that maximize leverage while minimizing effort. It’s critical to understand the relationship between weight distribution and sweep direction, viewing the technique as a physics problem of manipulating an opponent’s center of gravity. This sweep is a cornerstone of efficient guard play.”
  • Gordon Ryan: “I approach the Butterfly Sweep as a primary weapon within my bottom game, particularly in no-gi contexts. It’s about creating situations where opponents are forced to commit weight forward, making them vulnerable to the sweep. I place particular focus on the follow-through phase, ensuring that the positional advantage gained is maximized through proper top position establishment.”
  • Eddie Bravo: “I’ve incorporated the Butterfly Sweep within my 10th Planet system with a focus on no-gi variations and transitions to leg entanglements. When teaching the technique, I emphasize the importance of creating the proper angle before sweep initiation and the possibility of transitioning to leg attacks if the opponent defends in specific ways. It’s a versatile tool for dynamic guard play.”

Common Errors

  • Error: Insufficient hook depth
    • Why It Fails: Inadequate lifting power to elevate opponent’s hips
    • Correction: Position feet deep under thighs, close to hips
    • Recognition: Opponent’s base remains stable during lift attempt
  • Error: Poor upper body control
    • Why It Fails: Lack of directional control to guide opponent’s fall
    • Correction: Secure strong underhook or grip to pull opponent forward
    • Recognition: Opponent easily postures up or resists pull
  • Error: Improper angle creation
    • Why It Fails: Decreased mechanical advantage, sweep becomes harder
    • Correction: Shift body off-center towards control side before sweep
    • Recognition: Sweep feels forced or lacks power
  • Error: Attempting against stable base
    • Why It Fails: Reduced effectiveness, opponent remains balanced
    • Correction: Wait for weight commitment or disrupt posture first
    • Recognition: Opponent doesn’t budge despite strong lift
  • Error: Weak hip drive
    • Why It Fails: Limited elevation of opponent, sweep stalls
    • Correction: Drive powerfully through legs to lift hips off mat
    • Recognition: Opponent’s hips stay grounded during attempt
  • Error: Neglecting follow-through
    • Why It Fails: Compromised transition to top position, opponent recovers
    • Correction: Maintain control and follow momentum to top
    • Recognition: Sweep succeeds but position is lost immediately

Knowledge Assessment Questions

5 technical questions with multiple choice answers:

  • Control Understanding: “What is the primary lower body control mechanism in a Butterfly Sweep?”
    • A) Shin-to-shin contact only
    • B) Hooks positioned under opponent’s thighs (Correct)
    • C) Feet on hips alone
    • D) Knee shield positioning
  • Strategic Application: “What is the main advantage of a Butterfly Sweep over other guard sweeps?”
    • A) Relies on complex timing over mechanics
    • B) Uses simple leverage to overturn opponent (Correct)
    • C) Targets submissions before position
    • D) Avoids upper body control
  • Error Recognition: “What is the most common mistake when initiating a Butterfly Sweep?”
    • A) Insufficient hook depth (Correct)
    • B) Using too much arm strength
    • C) Moving hips too late
    • D) Securing head position first
  • Defensive Awareness: “How can you prevent an opponent from countering with a sprawl during a Butterfly Sweep?”
    • A) Focus on leg control only
    • B) Time the sweep with opponent’s forward weight commitment (Correct)
    • C) Avoid upper body grips
    • D) Lift straight up without angle
  • Transition Knowledge: “Which position is most commonly accessed after a successful Butterfly Sweep?”
    • A) Back Control immediately
    • B) Side Control or Mount (Correct)
    • C) Closed Guard recovery
    • D) North-South without control

Performance Tips

  • Focus on establishing deep hook positioning before initiating sweep for maximum lift.
  • Create and maintain proper angle throughout execution to optimize leverage.
  • Develop powerful hip drive through targeted training for effective elevation.
  • Practice seamless coordination between upper and lower body for efficient sweep.
  • Maintain continuous control through transitional phase to secure top position.
  • Develop awareness of common defensive responses to adapt mid-sweep.
  • Train follow-through to ensure positional advantage is not lost after sweep.

Timing Considerations

  • Execute when opponent’s weight is committed forward for easiest lift.
  • Time with opponent’s pressure or forward movement to capitalize on momentum.
  • Perform after establishing dominant upper body control to ensure direction.
  • Implement when opponent’s base is narrowed or compromised for higher success.
  • Use as counter to specific passing attempts to disrupt their strategy.
  • Capitalize on opponent’s grip fighting or hand positioning for openings.

Setup Connections

Follow-up Options

Training Approaches

  • Isolated technical drilling with cooperative partner to perfect mechanics.
  • Progressive resistance training with increasing defensive pressure for realism.
  • Flow drilling connecting Butterfly Sweep to related techniques for chains.
  • Situational sparring starting from Butterfly Guard to test application.
  • Defensive recognition and response training to adapt to counters.
  • Transition practice to dominant top positions for complete sequences.
  • Angle and timing drills to refine setup and execution precision.

Competition Effectiveness

The Butterfly Sweep has proven consistently effective across competition contexts:

  • Gi competition: Functions with both traditional and cloth-specific grips for control.
  • No-gi competition: Remains highly effective with adapted gripping like neck ties.
  • MMA application: Provides effective sweeping option with striking awareness.
  • Self-defense relevance: Creates powerful positional change with minimal risk.
  • Lower belt competition: High percentage technique with straightforward mechanics.
  • Elite competition: Continues to prove effective at highest levels with precision.

Historical Context

The Butterfly Sweep represents one of the oldest and most universal sweeping techniques in grappling, with variations appearing across numerous traditional martial arts including judo (where it’s known as “sumi gaeshi”). In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the technique gained particular prominence through the influence of wrestlers transitioning to BJJ, who adapted their sitting techniques to the guard context. The Butterfly Guard and its associated sweeps experienced a renaissance in the 2000s through the influence of guard players like Marcelo Garcia, who demonstrated the high effectiveness of butterfly techniques at the highest levels of competition. The technique continues to evolve with modern adaptations focusing on transitions to leg entanglements and more sophisticated setup variations.

Conceptual Framework

The Butterfly Sweep exemplifies core BJJ principles of leverage, timing, and efficiency. The technique demonstrates the power of proper mechanical advantage, where a smaller practitioner can effectively sweep a larger opponent by correctly applying leverage principles. This represents the essence of technical jiu-jitsu: using precise positioning and coordination to overcome physical disadvantages. The sweep’s universal effectiveness speaks to its foundation in fundamental physical principles rather than athletic attributes.

Computer Science Analogy

The Butterfly Sweep functions as an “atomic transaction” in the BJJ state machine, where multiple inputs (hook position, upper body control, angle, timing, hip drive) must be correctly configured to execute a state transition that flips the positional hierarchy. This creates a form of “transactional integrity” where all components must be properly executed for the operation to succeed. The technique exemplifies the concept of “compound operations” where multiple simple mechanisms (elevation, pulling, angle creation) combine to create an emergent effect greater than any individual component, similar to how complex software functions emerge from combinations of simpler operations.

Validation Checklist

Every transition file must include:

  • All required properties with specific values
  • Detailed visual execution sequence (minimum 4 sentences)
  • Complete execution steps list (minimum 5 steps)
  • Success modifiers with specific percentages
  • Common counters and counter-attack analysis with success rates
  • Decision logic for opponent behavior
  • Expert insights from all three authorities
  • Minimum 5 common errors with corrections
  • 5 knowledge test questions with answers
  • Training approaches and timing considerations

Example Implementation

See Scissor Sweep for a complete example implementing all standard requirements.

Notes for Developers

This standard ensures:

  • Consistent transition data for state machine implementation
  • Detailed execution mechanics for realistic modeling
  • Rich content for comprehensive technical documentation
  • Educational value through expert analysis
  • Technical depth for authentic understanding
  • Structured counter-attack analysis for complete coverage
  • Knowledge assessment integration
  • Training progression guidance

Updates to this standard should be reflected across all transition files to maintain consistency and educational value.

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