Butterfly Guard: Complete BJJ Sweeping Guide

Butterfly Guard: Complete BJJ Sweeping Guide – Marcelo Garcia System

By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by competitive black belts specializing in butterfly guard systems | Last Updated: January 11, 2026

The Butterfly Guard is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s simplest yet most effective open guard position. Unlike the leg entanglement guards like X-Guard and Single Leg X, butterfly guard uses basic hooks under the thighs combined with upper body control to create effortless sweeps against opponents of any size.

According to Evolve MMA’s butterfly guard analysis, this guard can be used against opponents of any size as it utilizes the strongest part of our body—the legs—to pull, lift, and off-balance the opponent. You can effortlessly lift and sweep heavier opponents above you while in a supinated position.

The butterfly guard has gained widespread popularity due to its versatility—it transitions to single leg X-guard for leg attacks, allows shooting for takedowns from seated position, and creates sweeping opportunities that work at the highest levels. Famous BJJ athletes such as Marcelo Garcia and Gordon Ryan are known for utilizing this technique.

After coaching hundreds of students and using butterfly guard in competition, I’ve found it’s the most accessible open guard for beginners while remaining sophisticated enough for world champions. Unlike complex guards requiring flexibility or specific body types, butterfly guard works for everyone because it uses fundamental leverage principles.

Whether you’re a white belt learning your first open guard or a brown belt refining championship strategies, mastering butterfly guard mechanics gives you a dynamic sweeping system that complements all the positions covered in previous articles.

What Is the Butterfly Guard?

The butterfly guard is a seated open guard position where you use both legs to hook underneath your opponent’s thighs, creating the foundation for sweeps, submissions, and transitions.

Core Butterfly Guard Components:

Seated position (not flat on back)
Both legs hooking under opponent’s thighs (butterfly hooks)
Upper body grips (collar tie, underhooks, or sleeve control)
Active hooks constantly pulling and lifting
Dynamic movement and attacks
Transitions to other guards and positions

Evolve MMA notes: These hooks can be partnered with various grips which helps take control of your opponent’s upper body, making it easier to pull your opponent closer to you.

The position gets its name from the hook motion—your feet flutter under their thighs like butterfly wings.

Understanding what is guard in BJJ helps you see why butterfly guard is so effective—it’s an active, attacking guard rather than passive defensive position.

Why Butterfly Guard Works

Dynamic vs. Static Guards

Butterfly guard is fundamentally DYNAMIC:

Dynamic Characteristics:

Constant movement and attacking
Legs don’t lock opponent in place
Must keep threatening sweeps
Prevents opponent imposing game plan
Active rather than passive

Grapplearts emphasizes: By always threatening the sweep you make it difficult for opponent to impose their own game plan. If you stop and hang out, opponent will probably figure out how to pass your guard.

This differs from closed guard where you can be more static.

Marcelo Garcia’s Philosophy

Marcelo Garcia famously said: “I don’t have guard, I have attacks”.

Marcelo’s Approach:

More upright/forward seated posture
Resembles wrestling stance
Allows for throws and takedowns
Options immediately available
Don’t establish position first—attack while entering
Drag into butterfly and sweep in unison
Hard and fast execution

Reddit discussion notes: Marcelo does not believe in staying put—his guard is about being dynamic. Your butterfly entries come with an attempted sweep, armbar, or guillotine.

This philosophy makes butterfly guard extremely offensive.

Universal Applicability

Butterfly guard works for everyone:

Why It’s Universal:

Size independent: Works against bigger opponents
Leverage-based: Uses legs (strongest part) to move them
Simple mechanics: No complex flexibility required
Gi and no-gi: Works identically in both
All body types: Doesn’t require long legs or extreme flexibility

I tell students: “If you can sit up and hook your feet under their thighs, you can do butterfly guard.”

Connections to Other Guards

Butterfly guard works particularly well with positions covered previously:

Transition to X-Guard

When opponent stands up or posts foot
Slip underneath them
Destroy their base completely
Natural progression from butterfly

Transition to Single Leg X-Guard

Butterfly hooks facilitate SLX entries
Modern grappling meta emphasizes this
Creates leg lock opportunities
Seamless transition

From Half Guard

Many enter butterfly from half guard
Half butterfly is hybrid position
Natural progression in guard development

Understanding these connections creates complete guard systems.

Core Butterfly Guard Mechanics

The Seated Posture

Proper posture is fundamental:

Key Posture Points:

Don’t lie flat on back – Critical tip
Sit up actively (like sitting in chair)
Weight on tailbone, not shoulders
Head up, chest forward
Ready to move in any direction

Lying flat kills butterfly guard effectiveness—you lose lifting power and mobility.

The Butterfly Hooks

Active hooks are essential:

Hook Fundamentals:

Feet under their thighs
Toes pointing outward (like butterfly wings)
Active hooks – constantly adjusting to movements
Push and pull motion creates off-balance
Never static or lazy

Digitsu emphasizes: Stay active with your hooks, constantly adjusting to your opponent’s movements. Lazy hooks lead to getting passed.

Upper Body Control

Grips complement leg work:

Primary Grip Options:

1. Collar Tie + Tricep Control

One hand behind neck (collar tie)
Other hand controls tricep
Marcelo Garcia’s preferred setup
Creates pulling and sweeping leverage

2. Double Underhooks

Both arms underhook their arms
Powerful control position
Sets up multiple sweeps
Transition to back possible

3. Overhook

One arm overhooks their arm
Creates submissions and sweeps
Opens triangle opportunities
Nullifies that arm

4. Arm Drag

Pull one arm across
Creates back take entries
Common in Gordon Ryan’s game
Dynamic entry option

Hand fighting plays significant role in butterfly guard.

Kuzushi (Off-Balancing)

The fundamental principle:

Kuzushi Application:

Use hooks with upper body grips to unbalance
Actively push and pull opponents
Sets up attacks and sweeps
Makes opponent stumble
Creates openings continuously

Evolve MMA notes: The connection of grips with upper body along with butterfly hooks are fundamental things to consider.

Kuzushi is borrowed from Judo—essential for butterfly effectiveness.

Essential Butterfly Guard Sweeps

Traditional Butterfly Sweep

The foundational sweep everyone learns first:

Execution Steps

1. Establish Position

Seated butterfly guard
Collar tie with one hand
Tricep control with other hand
Both hooks active under thighs

2. Force Butt Off Heels

Pull them forward breaking their base
Get their weight on you
They should feel light

3. Fall to Side

Fall to side of your body
Not straight back
Angle creates leverage

4. Kick with Hook

Kick with butterfly hook as you fall
Lift them up and over
Hip movement adds power

5. Land on Top

Land in top half guard
Drop body weight immediately
Establish control

Critical Detail: Marcelo performs this with collar tie and tricep control, landing to side while kicking with hook to sweep.

Shoulder Crunch Sumi Gaeshi Sweep

Gordon Ryan’s championship technique:

Setup and Execution

Context:

Gordon Ryan used this to beat Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida at ADCC 2019
Sets up from supine butterfly position
Extremely effective at highest levels

Mechanics:

1. Arm Drag

Apply hooks pulling opponent
Execute arm drag to opposite side
Fall to supine position

2. Opponent Posts

As reaction to pull, they post hand
This creates shoulder crunch opportunity

3. Shoulder Crunch Application

Keep head next to opponent
Lock hands together
Elbow pointing toward ceiling
Maintain high elbow position

4. Sweep

Kick with hook to opposite side
Shoulder crunch adds power
Complete sweep to top

Key: Keep dominant shoulder crunch with high elbow before kicking.

Overhook Sweep

Works when opponent defends underhook:

Setup:

Opponent defends your underhook attempts
Catch overhook instead
Control their arm completely

Finish:

Fall to side of overhook
Kick with hooks
Overhook prevents them posting
Complete sweep

Opens triangle choke opportunities when defended.

Knee Push Sweep (Standing Opponent)

Against standing opponent:

Key Principle:

Grab both ankles
Push knees OUT (not lift up)
Makes them light even with grips on you
Pull heels toward you
Complete sweep

Video instruction emphasizes: The trick is push out as wide as possible, not lifting straight up.

Submissions from Butterfly Guard

Guillotine Choke

Natural submission when sweep defended:

Setup:

Attempt butterfly sweep
Opponent bases arms and drops hips (defending)
Snap neck down
Climb on top
Apply guillotine

Finish:

Marcelo transitions hooks to half guard
Completes guillotine from there
High-percentage finish

Understanding guillotine mechanics enhances butterfly effectiveness.

Triangle Choke

From overhook position:

Entry:

Overhook established
When they post hand on mat
Grab wrist and throw leg over arm
Lock triangle
Finish submission

Works particularly well when combining with overhook sweep threats.

Armbar

When opponent posts to defend sweep:

Setup:

Threaten sweep causing post
Opponent posts arm
Capture posted arm
Pivot to isolate arm
Extend for armbar

Effective tactic: threaten sweep to compel opponent to defend exposing them to submission.

Back Takes

Arm drag to back:

Execution:

Establish butterfly guard
Execute arm drag
Pull arm across their body
Take back position
Insert hooks

Natural transition leading to rear naked choke.

Butterfly Guard Variations

Half Butterfly Guard

Powerful fusion position:

Configuration:

One leg entangled with opponent’s (half guard)
Other leg with butterfly hook in place
Robust sweeping opportunities
Fluid transitions available

Applications:

Execute sweeps by elevating with butterfly hook
Move to full butterfly guard
Transition to seated guard
Some opponents put you here trying to pass

Digitsu notes: Good to know what to do from half butterfly because some opponents will basically put you in this position as they try to pass.

Supine Butterfly Guard

Gordon Ryan’s variation:

Characteristics:

More reclined/supine position
Different from Marcelo’s upright style
Easier to retain guard
Traditional guard play alignment

Reddit analysis: Wardzinski’s supine method seems to make it easier to retain guard due to its more reclined nature.

Both styles work—choose based on your game.

Common Butterfly Guard Mistakes

Lying Flat on Back

The #1 beginner error:

The Problem

Lying flat kills lifting power
Can’t generate sweeping force
Becomes static guard
Easy to pass

The Solution

Sit up actively always
Weight on tailbone
Chest forward, head up
Maintain seated posture

Lazy Hooks

Inactive hook work:

Issue

Hooks not adjusting to movements
Static foot position
Can’t create off-balance
Getting passed becomes easy

Correction

Keep hooks constantly active
Push and pull continuously
Adjust to every movement
Never let hooks go slack

Being Static

Not attacking constantly:

Problem

Sitting and waiting
Not threatening sweeps
Opponent imposes game plan
Guard gets passed

Better Approach

Grapplearts teaches: Keep moving and attacking
Always threaten sweeps
Make it difficult for opponent
Float like butterfly, sweep like bee

Poor Grip Fighting

Neglecting upper body control:

Issue

Only focusing on hooks
Ignoring grip battles
Missing control opportunities
Incomplete butterfly system

Fix

Hand fighting is significant role
Connect grips with hooks
Control upper body actively
Integrate all components

Training Butterfly Guard by Belt Level

For White Belts: Building Foundations

Start with fundamentals:

Priorities:

Master seated posture first
Practice traditional butterfly sweep
Learn collar tie + tricep control
Develop active hooks
Drill with compliant partner initially

Resources about first BJJ class expectations help beginners understand guard progression.

Training Tip: Practice sitting up from lying position repeatedly—build muscle memory for proper posture.

For Blue Belts: Expanding Game

Develop complete butterfly systems:

Development:

Learn all major sweeps
Study Marcelo Garcia footage
Practice transitions to X-Guard and SLX
Master guillotine entries
Develop both gi and no-gi games

Exploring blue belt development goals helps structure butterfly integration.

For Purple/Brown Belts: Advanced Systems

Perfect championship applications:

Advanced Focus:

Study both Marcelo and Gordon Ryan styles
Perfect invisible off-balancing
Develop seamless transitions
Master all submission entries
Adapt to opponent-specific defenses
Create signature sequences

At this level, butterfly becomes primary attacking guard.

For Black Belts: Mastery

Refine and innovate:

Master Level:

Develop signature butterfly game
Teach Kuzushi principles effectively
Perfect competition timing
Create training progressions
Innovate new applications

Competition Strategy

IBJJF Gi Competition

Butterfly thrives in points-based formats:

Strategic Advantages:

Sweeps score 2 points
Creates multiple scoring opportunities
Works at all weight classes
Legal at all belt levels
Opens submission attacks

Competition Reality: Marcelo Garcia dominated early 2000s-2010 using butterfly guard as primary weapon.

ADCC and No-Gi

Highly effective in submission-only:

No-Gi Applications:

Works identically without gi
Excellent for no-gi grappling
Gordon Ryan uses extensively
Creates leg lock entries
Favored in modern meta

Evolve MMA notes: Considering how leg locks are now part of modern grappling meta, try adding butterfly guard to your repertoire.

Integration with Guard System

Butterfly completes your guard library:

Complete System:

Closed Guard – Fundamental control
Butterfly Guard – Dynamic sweeping
X-Guard – Leg entanglement
Single Leg X – Submissions
De La Riva – Off-balancing
Half Guard – Defensive to offensive

Flow between all six creates unstoppable guard game.

The Butterfly Guard Legacy

From Marcelo Garcia’s revolutionary systematization in the 2000s to Gordon Ryan’s modern supine variations, butterfly guard represents BJJ’s most accessible yet sophisticated open guard. What makes it special isn’t complexity—it’s the simple principle of using your strongest weapons (legs) to lift and sweep anyone regardless of size.

Marcelo Garcia won five ADCC championships and four IBJJF world titles using butterfly as his primary guard. Gordon Ryan beat Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida at ADCC 2019 with butterfly guard sweeps. And forty years from now, grapplers will still be using it because the leverage principles are timeless.

The butterfly guard proves a fundamental BJJ truth: simple doesn’t mean ineffective. The most basic open guard—just hooking under thighs and sitting up—creates sweeping opportunities that work at the highest levels when combined with proper mechanics and dynamic attacking mentality.

Whether you’re a white belt learning your first open guard or a black belt competing at world championships, butterfly guard provides the dynamic sweeping foundation that works for everyone. Combined with transitions to X-Guard and Single Leg X, you have complete modern guard systems.

How We Reviewed This Article

Editorial Standards: Technical information verified through Marcelo Garcia instructional content, Gordon Ryan competition footage, and contemporary butterfly guard specialists. Mechanical analysis reviewed by competitive black belts using butterfly guard in tournament settings. Strategic applications based on IBJJF, ADCC, and modern competition analysis (2000-2025).

Sources Referenced:

Evolve MMA butterfly guard attacks and transitions
Marcelo Garcia butterfly guard system and philosophy
Gordon Ryan shoulder crunch sumi gaeshi analysis
Grapplearts butterfly guard fundamentals
Reddit technical discussion (Marcelo vs. Wardzinski approaches)
Modern competition footage and applications

Last Updated: January 11, 2026