BJJ Butterfly Guard Guide — Hooks, Sweeps & Back Takes
Complete guide to BJJ butterfly guard — the hook mechanics, elevating sweeps, back takes, and submission entries from the butterfly system.
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What Makes Butterfly Guard Unique
Butterfly guard is a seat-to-seat guard where both feet hook under the opponent's thighs. Unlike closed guard, butterfly guard is active and movement-based — the hooks create elevating force that disrupts base and creates sweep opportunities without pulling the opponent down.
Installing the Butterfly Hooks
From a seated position, insert both insteps under the opponent's thighs. Maintain an upright, active spine — do not lean back. Grip: an underhook on one side and a wrist or sleeve control on the other creates the most versatile butterfly position.
Hook and Grip Combinations
- Double underhooks: maximum control, limits submission attacks
- Underhook + opposite wrist: best sweep and back-take platform
- Over-under: transition platform for back takes and arm locks
- No-gi: underhook + wrist control replaces all sleeve grips
The Elevator Sweep
The fundamental butterfly sweep: underhook one side, control the opposite wrist, break their base forward, elevate the same-side hook while rolling, and come to top. The key is breaking posture before elevating — a based opponent cannot be elevated directly.
Back Take from Butterfly
When the opponent leans to prevent the sweep, the back take opportunity opens. Post your foot on the mat (underhook side), use the hook and underhook to rotate them onto their side, and climb to the back. This is one of the highest-percentage back takes in BJJ.
Submissions from Butterfly
The front headlock from butterfly sets up the guillotine and D'Arce. The underhook position creates kimura and arm triangle opportunities. When they post to base, the armbar and triangle become available. Butterfly guard feeds into a rich submission chain.
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FAQ
Closed guard traps the opponent inside your legs, limiting their movement. Butterfly guard allows both players to move freely but creates elevating force through the hooks that disrupts base without restricting mobility.
The elevator sweep (single hook elevate with underhook) is the foundational butterfly sweep. The angle sweep (rolling to the underhook side) is the highest-percentage sweep when the opponent leans correctly.
Yes — butterfly guard is one of the most effective no-gi guards because the hooks work without fabric. Replace sleeve grips with wrist control. Marcelo Garcia built his world championship game largely on butterfly guard.
Common BJJ Problems & FAQ
Your hips are likely stuck because you're not actively using your 'hooks' to elevate and control your opponent's base. To create space, focus on driving your shin bones into their inner thighs while simultaneously scooping your feet under their hips, allowing you to lift and tilt them.
When your sweep is defended, instead of reverting, use the momentum of their defense to your advantage. As they post to stabilize, drive your hips forward and under their chest, then immediately transition your leg that was on the outside to wrap around their waist, securing your seatbelt grip for the back take.
Against larger opponents, you must prioritize actively 'angling' your body away from their weight. Instead of staying directly in front, drive one hip into the mat and use your 'hooks' to create a wedge, keeping your knees tight to your own chest to prevent them from flattening your base.
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Get Free Access →More Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from passing my butterfly guard?
Maintaining tight hooks and actively framing with your arms are crucial. Continuously adjust your hips and use your legs to create space and prevent them from settling their weight on you.
What are the most common mistakes beginners make in butterfly guard?
A common mistake is not using their hooks effectively, leading to easy passes. Another is failing to maintain hip connection, allowing the opponent to create too much distance and control.
How can I transition from butterfly guard to a submission?
Once you have established control and created an opening, you can look for submissions like the triangle choke, armbar, or omoplata. The key is to use your sweeps to create the positional advantage needed for the submission.