The Butterfly Sweep family represents one of the most versatile and high-percentage sweeping systems in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Unlike the basic Butterfly Sweep which relies primarily on the hook and lift motion, these variations adapt to different grips, postures, and defensive reactions from your opponent. The Hook Sweep emphasizes rotational momentum when your opponent posts wide, the Elevator Sweep exploits forward pressure by launching them overhead, and the Arm Drag variation combines off-balancing with positional advancement to the back. Understanding these variations transforms the butterfly guard from a single-technique position into a dynamic attacking system where each defensive adjustment creates a new sweeping opportunity. The key to mastering these variations lies in recognizing your opponent’s weight distribution and grip configuration, then selecting the sweep that best exploits their current structure. This systematic approach to butterfly guard sweeps allows practitioners to maintain constant offensive pressure while developing the sensitivity to feel which variation will have the highest success probability in real-time.
Starting Position: Butterfly Guard Ending Position: Mount Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
Key Principles
- Maintain active butterfly hooks with feet positioned under opponent’s hips
- Control opponent’s upper body through collar and sleeve grips or underhooks
- Read opponent’s weight distribution to select optimal sweep variation
- Create off-balancing through combination of lifting, pulling, and rotational forces
- Chain sweep attempts together - failed sweep creates setup for next variation
- Keep your hips mobile and ready to transition between sweep angles
- Use opponent’s defensive posting as trigger for alternative sweep selection
Prerequisites
- Established butterfly guard with both hooks inserted under opponent’s thighs
- Upper body control through collar/sleeve grips, underhooks, or overhooks
- Opponent’s weight positioned over their base, not completely sprawled back
- Hip mobility allowing you to shift angles and adjust hook positions
- Active posture keeping your chest up and preventing opponent’s crossface
- Distance management keeping opponent close enough to control but not smashing you flat
Execution Steps
- Establish butterfly guard control: Secure butterfly guard with both hooks active under opponent’s hips, feet flexed and positioned to generate lifting power. Establish upper body control through collar and sleeve grips (gi) or underhooks/overhooks (no-gi). Maintain upright posture with chest connected to opponent’s chest, preventing them from creating distance or establishing heavy top pressure. (Timing: Before opponent establishes dominant grips or heavy pressure)
- Read opponent’s defensive structure: Assess opponent’s weight distribution, base width, and grip configuration. If they sit back with wide base, prepare Hook Sweep. If they drive forward with pressure, prepare Elevator Sweep. If they’re upright but squared, prepare Arm Drag variation. This decision-making process should become instinctive through repetition, reading subtle weight shifts that telegraph their defensive strategy. (Timing: Continuous assessment during guard engagement)
- Execute Hook Sweep (Variation 1): For wide-based opponents: Secure collar and sleeve grips, then simultaneously lift with one butterfly hook while pulling opponent’s sleeve across their body and rotating your shoulders in the same direction. The hook creates elevation while the sleeve pull breaks their base to the side. Your free leg extends to the mat for leverage as you complete the rotation to mount or side control top. (Timing: When opponent posts wide or circles to one side)
- Execute Elevator Sweep (Variation 2): For forward-pressuring opponents: Maintain collar and sleeve control (or double underhooks), then explosively lift both butterfly hooks while pulling opponent’s upper body down and toward you. The lifting motion should launch them overhead in an arc trajectory. As they pass overhead, immediately shrimp your hips out and turn to establish mount or take their back as they land. (Timing: When opponent drives forward with heavy chest pressure)
- Execute Arm Drag Variation (Variation 3): For upright, squared opponents: From collar-and-sleeve or double underhook control, execute sharp arm drag pulling opponent’s arm across your body while simultaneously removing same-side butterfly hook and swinging that leg behind them. Use the arm drag momentum to circle to their back, establishing seat belt control as you transition to back control or continue sweep to top position. (Timing: When opponent maintains upright posture with square shoulders)
- Chain variations based on reaction: If opponent defends one sweep variation by adjusting their weight or base, immediately recognize the opening for a different variation. Failed Hook Sweep often creates Elevator Sweep opportunity as they shift weight forward. Defended Elevator Sweep creates Arm Drag opening as they post. Develop flow between variations, treating each defensive adjustment as the setup for your next attack rather than resetting to neutral position. (Timing: Continuous offensive pressure through variation chains)
- Complete sweep to dominant position: As sweep succeeds and opponent is inverted or off-balanced, maintain control throughout the transition. For Hook and Elevator sweeps, follow opponent’s rotation to establish mount or side control top. For Arm Drag variation, secure back control or continue to top position. Immediately establish position control points (cross-face, underhook, head control) before opponent can begin guard recovery sequence. (Timing: Immediately as opponent’s base breaks)
Opponent Counters
- Opponent sprawls back and extends arms to create distance, removing their weight from your hooks (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Transition to shin-to-shin guard or single leg X-guard to maintain control despite distance, or stand up and engage in standing guard game
- Opponent establishes heavy crossface control and drives chest pressure to flatten you (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Frame against crossface with forearms, create distance with shrimping motion, then reset butterfly hooks or transition to half guard with underhook
- Opponent posts arm wide during Hook Sweep attempt, preventing rotation (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Immediately switch to Elevator Sweep as their forward post creates perfect setup for overhead lift, or attack posted arm with kimura grip
- Opponent bases low with wide stance and heavy hips, removing sweep momentum (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Switch to Arm Drag variation to circle to back, or transition to deep half guard to attack from different angle
- Opponent grips your pants/ankles and controls your legs, preventing hook mobility (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Break leg grips through hip motion and leg kicks, establish overhook or collar control to threaten submissions (guillotine, triangle), forcing them to release leg grips
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the primary indicator that should trigger selection of the Hook Sweep variation rather than the Elevator Sweep? A: The Hook Sweep should be selected when the opponent has a wide base with their weight distributed to the sides, or when they are circling to one direction. This wide base makes overhead elevation difficult but creates vulnerability to rotational sweeps. In contrast, the Elevator Sweep works best when opponent’s weight is square and driving forward, making the lifting motion more effective than rotation.
Q2: How should you adjust your butterfly sweep variation if your opponent successfully defends your initial Hook Sweep attempt by posting their arm wide? A: When the opponent posts wide to defend the Hook Sweep, their weight shifts forward over the posted arm, creating the perfect setup for an Elevator Sweep. Immediately switch to lifting both butterfly hooks while pulling their upper body down, using their forward-committed weight against them. Alternatively, you can attack the posted arm with a kimura grip, as their wide posting exposes the shoulder for control. This variation chaining transforms their successful defense into your next offensive opportunity.
Q3: What are the three primary power sources that must be coordinated for successful execution of butterfly sweep variations? A: The three primary power sources are: 1) The butterfly hooks generating lifting force through leg extension and hip elevation, 2) The upper body grips (collar/sleeve, underhooks, or overhooks) controlling direction and breaking opponent’s posture, and 3) Hip rotation and mobility creating the angular momentum for the sweep. These must work in coordination - hooks provide the lifting power, grips control the direction, and hips generate rotation. Using only one or two of these power sources results in weak sweep attempts that are easily defended.
Q4: Why is the Arm Drag variation of the butterfly sweep particularly effective against upright, square-postured opponents, and what is the typical positional outcome? A: The Arm Drag variation works best against upright opponents because their square posture places equal weight on both legs, making them vulnerable to lateral movement rather than vertical lifting. The arm drag breaks their structural alignment by pulling one shoulder across while removing the same-side butterfly hook, allowing you to circle to their back. The typical outcome is back control with seat belt grip, though you can also continue the sweep to top position if they defend the back take. This variation is particularly effective because it combines off-balancing with positional advancement, often yielding 4 points (sweep) plus 4 points (back control) in competition.
Q5: What is the most common error when attempting to chain multiple butterfly sweep variations together, and how does it compromise the sweeping system? A: The most common error is resetting to neutral position after a failed sweep attempt instead of immediately flowing to the next variation based on opponent’s defensive reaction. When practitioners reset after a defended sweep, they lose the offensive momentum and allow their opponent to re-establish optimal posture and grips. Effective variation chaining means treating the opponent’s defensive adjustment (posting wide, driving forward, etc.) as the immediate setup for your next sweep variation. This maintains constant offensive pressure and prevents the opponent from establishing their passing game, transforming the butterfly guard into a dynamic attacking system rather than a single-attempt position.
Q6: How does the depth of butterfly hook positioning affect sweep effectiveness, and what is the optimal placement? A: Butterfly hook depth critically affects lifting power and mobility. Hooks placed too shallow (feet barely under thighs) provide minimal lifting leverage and are easily removed. Hooks placed too deep (feet far under opponent’s hips toward their back) create maximum lifting power but reduce mobility and make it difficult to adjust or remove hooks when needed. The optimal placement is at the crease where opponent’s thighs meet their hips - this provides strong lifting leverage while maintaining hook mobility for adjustments. This depth allows you to generate maximum power for Elevator Sweep while still being able to remove one hook quickly for Hook Sweep rotation or Arm Drag variations.
Safety Considerations
Butterfly sweep variations are generally low-risk techniques, but several safety considerations apply. When executing the Elevator Sweep with explosive lifting motion, ensure controlled follow-through to prevent throwing your partner with excessive force, particularly when drilling without mats or near walls. Beginners should start with slow-motion repetitions to develop coordination before adding speed and power. Partners should communicate if neck or back discomfort occurs during any variation, as improper execution can create compression. When drilling the Arm Drag variation, avoid yanking opponent’s arm with sudden force that could stress their shoulder; instead, use smooth pulling motion. Training partners should tap early if they feel off-balanced to the point of uncontrolled falling. During live training, be aware of surrounding practitioners to avoid collisions during sweep execution. When practicing hook insertion and removal, start slowly to prevent straining hip flexors and groin muscles. Advanced practitioners executing these sweeps at competition speed should ensure their partner is experienced enough to fall safely and protect themselves during the sweep arc.
Position Integration
The butterfly sweep variations serve as the primary offensive engine of the butterfly guard system, connecting to multiple strategic pathways within BJJ’s positional hierarchy. These sweeps integrate with the submission game through guillotine and kimura attacks - failed sweeps often create submission opportunities, while submission defenses create sweep openings. The butterfly guard itself connects to other guard systems: when butterfly sweeps are defended with distance creation, transition to Shin-to-Shin Guard or Single Leg X-Guard; when defended with heavy pressure, transition to Deep Half Guard or Half Guard. From the top position after successful sweep, you can establish Mount, Side Control, or continue to Back Control depending on which variation you executed and how opponent landed. The butterfly sweep system also integrates with standing guard pulls in competition - pulling to seated butterfly guard with immediate Elevator Sweep creates fast scoring opportunity. Understanding these variations transforms butterfly guard from an isolated position into a hub connecting offensive sweeps, submissions, alternate guards, and top position dominance. Elite competitors like Marcelo Garcia demonstrated how butterfly sweep mastery could become the foundation of an entire competitive game, with all other positions serving as backup options when butterfly attacks were defended.
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The butterfly sweep variations represent a perfect example of what I call ‘systematic defensive adaptation exploitation’ - you’re not simply executing a single technique repeatedly, but rather reading your opponent’s defensive structure and selecting the variation that best exploits their current configuration. The key insight is that all three major variations (Hook, Elevator, Arm Drag) attack different defensive postures, which means your opponent cannot simultaneously defend all three. If they widen their base to prevent Hook Sweep, they become vulnerable to Elevator. If they sit back to prevent Elevator, they expose themselves to Hook Sweep rotation. If they maintain upright square posture to defend both vertical and rotational attacks, the Arm Drag circumvents their structure entirely by attacking laterally. This creates what I call a ‘defensive trilemma’ - three mutually exclusive defensive requirements that cannot be satisfied simultaneously. The practitioner who can fluidly recognize which defensive choice their opponent has made and instantly select the corresponding sweep variation will dominate the butterfly guard exchange regardless of strength or size differentials. Train to make this recognition automatic through thousands of repetitions with different body types and resistance levels.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, butterfly sweep variations are my go-to guard system because they score fast and don’t require complex setups. The beauty is that you can literally pull guard and score a sweep in one motion if you time the Elevator Sweep with their forward pressure from standing. I’ve won matches in under 30 seconds using this exact sequence. What makes these variations competition-viable is that they work against defensive reactions rather than requiring your opponent to make a mistake - when they defend one sweep, they’re automatically setting up the next variation. My personal hierarchy in no-gi is Elevator first (highest percentage when they’re pressuring), then Arm Drag to back take (best points potential at 8+ points), then Hook Sweep (when they’re stalling with wide base). In the gi, I add the Kimura-Butterfly combination because that gi sleeve grip makes the kimura control incredibly strong, and the dilemma between defending the sweep versus defending the kimura is nearly unsolvable. The key to making these work at elite level is creating urgency - if you sit in butterfly guard waiting for the perfect moment, good passers will simply disengage or pressure pass. You need to threaten the sweep constantly, force them to defend, then attack whatever defensive structure they choose. That aggressive, attacking mindset from butterfly guard is what separates competitors who score from those who get passed.
- Eddie Bravo: Butterfly sweeps are fundamental, but where it gets really interesting is when you start mixing them with rubber guard transitions and truck entries. From butterfly, if they defend your sweep by posting wide, that’s actually a perfect setup to swing your leg up into Mission Control and attack the Invisible Collar or New York choke. I’ve hit this in competition multiple times because they’re so focused on defending the sweep that they don’t see the rubber guard entry coming. Another sick variation is the Butterfly-to-Vaporizer connection - when they sprawl back to defend the Elevator Sweep, immediately shoot your legs over their shoulders into Vaporizer position for the calf slicer. The key insight from 10th Planet perspective is that butterfly guard shouldn’t be isolated from the rest of your leg lock and back attack game. Every failed butterfly sweep should potentially lead to either rubber guard control, truck position, or leg entanglement. This is the systematic approach I teach - positions and techniques aren’t isolated moves, they’re all connected in this web where defending one attack opens up three others. So when you’re drilling butterfly sweeps, don’t just reset after a failed attempt. Instead, have a predetermined chain: failed Elevator Sweep → Vaporizer entry → Truck → Twister. Failed Hook Sweep → Electric Chair setup → Banana Split. This is how you build a complete no-gi game where every position flows into the next and your opponent is constantly defending multiple threats simultaneously.