Butterfly Guard Sweep: Complete BJJ Technique Guide

# Butterfly Guard Sweep: Complete BJJ Technique Guide

## What is the Butterfly Guard Sweep?

The Butterfly Guard Sweep 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 Sweep

Here's a detailed breakdown based on expert instruction:

# Butterfly Guard Sweep

All right, guys, let's learn about the butterfly guard sweep, okay? So basically, we

have a few different ways to do a butterfly guard sweep. But the whole idea is

that I'm not lifting him just with the strength of my leg. I'm actually creating

momentum with my body, okay? So one of the basic ways we can enter here is what?

I will choose one side and I will get an underhook. I can post my hand on the

floor. No problem. I can get the hand on the floor and get a good underhook

holding his belt. Notice how my hip is slightly to the side.

Okay? I'm not completely straight with him. If I have my right underhook, my hip

should be towards the right side. Now my left hand, which is this hand here, I'm

going to hold his arm, okay? Once I hold his arm, he cannot post the hand on the

floor to block my sweep. And then what I'm going to do? I'm going to use momentum

landing to the side,

and of course I'm using my foot as a hook to start lifting him,

lifting him, lifting him, and end up sweeping him. Okay,

once I sweep, just try to land here on the knee cut, okay? What is important?

I should use my other foot on the floor to help me to create leverage.

If I don't use the foot on the floor, it becomes a lot on the strength of my

leg. If I use foot on the floor, I can actually lift. Notice how my hip moves out

of, out from the floor.

sweep and then get the top position.

Question that people ask me all the time, could I do a butterfly sweep without the

underhook? Yes, you could. Sometimes you have like an overhook,

lower. So you have an overhook holding his belt. You could also grab his arm and

end up doing a butterfly guard sweep.

Also,

can I do a butterfly guard sweep just using collars? Yes, you could. You could

hold. Imagine he's doing grips. Stay lower. So I'm holding like so,

like we do standing. I can control his arm, I can shift my hip underneath his leg.

You see? And then I start lifting, lifting, lifting. I sweep and get the top

position, all right? So one more time.

So we have grips. Of course, I'm always sweeping him towards the side. I have his

arms. Stay a little bit. So I'm controlling. I slide my hip underneath.

Start lifting, lifting, sweep. And then get the top position,

okay?

So that's the butterfly guard sweep.

## Key Points to Remember

When drilling the Butterfly Guard Sweep, 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 Sweep 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 Sweep

The Butterfly Guard Sweep 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 Sweep Progress

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