Butterfly Guard: Complete BJJ Technique Guide

# Butterfly Guard: Complete BJJ Technique Guide

## What is the Butterfly Guard?

The Butterfly Guard is a fundamental Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique that every practitioner should master. Whether you're a white belt just starting out or an experienced grappler refining your game, understanding the mechanics and timing of this technique will elevate your BJJ.

## How to Perform the Butterfly Guard

Here's a detailed breakdown based on expert instruction:

# Butterfly Guard

All right, guys, let's learn a bit now about the butterfly guard, okay? So

basically, what's the butterfly guard? The butterfly guard could be that I started

from Open Guard. But my opponent, he's very stocky, he's putting a lot of weight on

the floor, right? And then I want to actually use my feet underneath him to

potentially lift him. So basically, I'm going to bring both of my feet underneath

his legs, okay? So this, in some countries,

especially in Brazil, we call this hook guard. Hook guard means I'm using my feet

as two hooks underneath my opponent's thigh, okay? Of course,

once I have my feet underneath his tie, I cannot rely only on the strength of my

leg because anyone would be heavy. The whole idea about the butterfly guard is that

I'm using momentum, I'm using my whole body rocking to the side in order to be

able to lift him and be able to sweep him. Of course, there is many ways to do

so,

But the whole idea is that I'm not on my back trying to lift just with my legs.

I'm actually using momentum, using my whole body in order to sweep him.

One of the easiest setup is what? Always having underhooks.

So if I have my right underhook, my hip should be always spaced a little bit to

the side. This way I have a very good connection on him. Of course I will grab

his arm here having a really tight grip. I'm not lifting him just with my leg.

I'm actually using momentum, momentum in order to sweep him.

Okay?

Could be that I might be on my back,

but afterwards that I'm on my back, I can also sit up and hold something,

okay, and then I grab his arm and I'm able to sweep.

Important understanding about the butterfly guard, which I particularly like a lot,

is that my feet are always in a safe position. Nowadays, everybody practicing a lot

of footlocks. Once you have your foot too high up,

you can get people getting your foot all the time and then maybe try foot locks on

you. Once your foot, it's underneath his legs, you're a lot safer.

Okay? Of course, keep it in mind, it's an open guard, and this way,

because it's open, my opponent can move a lot to the side. So I have to keep my

guard active. I should always try to keep a strong pace,

trying moves. And from the butterfly guard, you can enter several attacks.

You can enter several attacks. You can enter footlocks, You can enter arm bars, you

can do a lot of things with this type of guard. But remembering, it's not just

about the strength of my leg. I actually, I want to use momentum.

I'm rocking my body to one side and the other side in order to lift him. So

that's the main concept of the butterfly guard.

## Key Points to Remember

When drilling the Butterfly Guard, focus on these essential details:

1. **Positioning** — Your body position determines your success rate

2. **Timing** — Wait for the right moment, don't force it

3. **Grip** — Secure proper grips before committing to the technique

4. **Finish** — Follow through completely once you initiate

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many practitioners struggle with the Butterfly Guard because they:

- Rush the technique without proper setup

- Neglect the importance of base and balance

- Forget to control their opponent's reactions

- Don't drill both sides equally

## When to Use the Butterfly Guard

The Butterfly Guard works best when:

- Your opponent's weight distribution creates an opening

- You've set up the technique with proper grips

- You can commit fully to the movement

- You have a follow-up ready if the initial attempt fails

## Track Your Butterfly Guard Progress

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*This technique guide is based on instruction from Professor Henrique, covering the Butterfly Guard as part of the JitsAI Fundamentals Course.*