Butterfly Sweep: The Complete BJJ Guide

Butterfly Sweep: The Complete BJJ Guide

By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by competitive black belts specializing in butterfly guard systems and Marcelo Garcia methodology | Last Updated: January 14, 2026

The butterfly sweep is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most elevating sweep—a butterfly guard technique where you use hooks (feet inside opponent’s thighs) to lift and elevate them while securing grips, then sweep them overhead or to the side using leverage and momentum, demonstrating Marcelo Garcia’s philosophy that proper technique beats size and strength. What makes mastering the butterfly sweep essential for blue belts is dynamism: unlike the scissor sweep’s sideways motion, the butterfly sweep elevates opponents upward first, creating spectacular overhead reversals that land you directly in mount or controlling positions.​​

According to BJJ Fanatics, the butterfly guard has evolved into one of the most exciting and useful platforms in all of BJJ. Its vast array of utilities and dynamic options has become a favorite for many practitioners of all levels and it continues to evolve at a rapid pace. One of the butterfly guard’s best attributes is its ability to provide elevation when dealing with a guard passer.​

Marcelo Garcia instructional emphasizes: Tales of the incredible mastery of Garcia’s butterfly guard have preceded him for years. We often witnessed his amazing work with this position in his competitive endeavors and we continue to be amazed and inspired to this day by Garcia’s high level of proficiency with the butterfly guard and his jiu-jitsu in general.​​

After coaching hundreds of students through butterfly guard development, I’ve found that the butterfly sweep separates dynamic grapplers from static ones—because once you develop reliable elevation and can lift opponents off their base, your entire open guard game transforms from defensive to explosively offensive.

Whether you’re a blue belt learning fundamental butterfly mechanics or a purple belt refining Marcelo Garcia’s championship-level variations, mastering the butterfly sweep gives you the elevating attack that makes your open guard dangerous and dynamic.

What Is the Butterfly Sweep?

The butterfly sweep is a butterfly guard sweep where you sit up with both feet inside your opponent’s thighs (butterfly hooks), establish grips (underhook/overhook or collar ties), scoot deep underneath them, elevate using your hooks and hip movement, then sweep them overhead or sideways while following to mount or top position.​​

Core Butterfly Sweep Principles:

• From butterfly guard position
• Both hooks inside thighs
• Sit up posture (not flat!)
• Grips: underhook/overhook or collar ties
• Scoot DEEP underneath opponent
• Elevate using hooks and hips
• Sweep overhead or sideways
• Follow to mount
• Marcelo Garcia specialty
• Blue belt essential
• Elevating sweep (vertical)

BJJ Fanatics explains elevation: Getting underneath a top player can be done easily with efficiency if the right mechanics are in place. This elevation can be used to sweep, transition, and even enter into the leg lock realm, making the butterfly guard one of the most preferred methods of approaching the open guard game on the planet.​

Understanding butterfly guard position helps because the sweep builds directly on guard mechanics—turning defensive control into offensive reversals.

The Basic Butterfly Sweep (Step-by-Step)

Marcelo Garcia teaches fundamentals:​

Step 1: Establish Butterfly Guard Position

Starting Position:

• Sitting up (NOT flat on back!)
• Both feet inside opponent’s thighs (hooks)
• Hooks engage behind knees
• Chest to chest distance
• Good posture

Critical: Never flat on your back in butterfly guard—always sitting up and forward.​

Step 2: Secure Grips

Classic Grips (Underhook/Overhook):

• One underhook (deep under armpit)
• One overhook (over their arm)
• Pull them close
• Control their posture

Marcelo Garcia Variation (Collar Tie):
BJJ Fanatics describes: Many times, we see the butterfly sweep utilizing an under hook and some form of control over the opposite arm but it’s not always so easy to claim that under hook space. Here, we find Garcia using the collar tie instead. Garcia is famous for the two on one style grip but he’s got plenty of options when it comes to controlling limbs.​

Collar Tie Grips:

• Collar tie (hand behind neck)
• Control elbow opposite side
• Alternative to underhook
• Marcelo Garcia specialty

Step 3: Scoot Deep Underneath

BJJ Fanatics emphasizes position: With his controls in place, Garcia makes his move, scooting deep under his partner and beginning to elevate him upward.​

Getting Deep:

• Scoot hips forward
• Get UNDER opponent
• Close distance
• Hooks engage deeply
• Critical positioning

Why This Matters: The deeper you are, the easier elevation becomes.

Step 4: Elevate Using Hooks and Hips

Elevation Mechanics:

• Lift with both hooks
• Extend legs upward
• Use hip drive
• Elevate opponent OFF base
• They become weightless

BJJ Fanatics hook mechanics: This will help to elevate an opponent’s leg too high, so the opponent cannot free their leg from the hook, and in most cases this will make them easy to sweep.​

Step 5: Sweep and Follow

Finishing:

• Pull with grips
• Lift with hooks
• Sweep them overhead (or sideways)
• Roll forward following them
• Land in mount or side control

BJJ Fanatics describes: Because the athlete has a good momentum happening they can easily follow the sweep movement, by rolling over their shoulder, and landing straight into the full mount.

​

The Scaffolding Concept (Advanced Mechanics)

Reddit user explains advanced detail: The butterfly leg is just a scaffolding, keep it at 90°, but don’t try to use it to leg-curl him into a sweep, just keep it rigid.​

Scaffolding Mechanics

Reddit breakdown:​

Hook Function:

• Butterfly hook = rigid scaffolding
• Keep at 90° angle
• DON’T leg-curl them
• Just maintain structure

Power Source:

• Plant shoulder and ear on floor
• Use OTHER leg to push off
• This elevates hips HIGH
• Scaffolding moves in arch
• Dumps opponent on back

Three Contact Points:

• Ear on mat
• Shoulder on mat
• Toes of pushing leg
• Creates powerful structure

Saulo Ribeiro demonstrates posture: Notice that he’s on his toes of the non-butterfly leg, and he completely stretches it out (don’t keep the knee on the floor).​

Marcelo Garcia’s Kick Sweep Variation

BJJ Fanatics teaches adaptation: In many cases this may be the end of the exchange but here his partner has used his left leg to catch his balance and prevent the reversal. As Garcia explains, time is definitely of the essence here.​

When Opponent Posts Leg

Problem:

• You elevate them
• They post leg to catch balance
• Standard sweep blocked
• Need adaptation

Marcelo’s Solution:

BJJ Fanatics describes: While his partner is hovering above him, Garcia’s free leg enters the fold. Creating a post on the thigh, Garcia can remove his partner’s posted leg from underneath him, causing the sweep.​

Kick Sweep Mechanics:

• Opponent hovering (elevated but posted)
• Free leg posts on their thigh
• Kick posted leg out from under them
• ABOVE the knee (critical!)
• Completes sweep

BJJ Fanatics emphasizes detail: Remember, your post must make contact with the guard passer’s leg above the knee line to get the most out of this one!​

Alternative When Too Crowded

BJJ Fanatics offers options: Depending on how close the top players leg comes to our body after we elevate, you may feel crowded and unable to post your foot on the leg.​

Solutions:

• Start at ankle, work up incrementally
• Reach under leg with arm instead
• Transition to X-guard
• Change to different guard variation

Making Them Into a Cylinder

Tom DeBlass teaches concept: Making them into a cylinder—the two shapes that roll in nature: spheres, balls and cylinders.​

Cylinder Concept:

• Pull opponent forward
• Make them rounded
• Cylindrical shape rolls easily
• Natural physics
• Easier to sweep

If They Lean:

• Opponent leans one direction
• Adapt sweep to other side
• Use their momentum
• Redirect energy

Grip Variations

Underhook/Overhook (Classic)

Standard Setup:

• Underhook on one side
• Overhook on opposite
• Pull them close
• Elevate and sweep

Most common variation taught to beginners.​

Collar Tie/Elbow Control (Marcelo Garcia)

BJJ Fanatics describes: Garcia is famous for the two on one style grip but he’s got plenty of options when it comes to controlling limbs. For this sequence he’ll gain control over the elbow in addition to the collar tie.​

Setup:

• Collar tie behind neck
• Elbow control opposite side
• Alternative when underhook unavailable

Overhook/Overhook (Tom DeBlass)

Tom DeBlass variation: I really like overhooks. Most people go underhook/overhook like we started this video demonstrating but I really like overhooks like this and to block like this—this is one of my favorites.​

Double Overhook:

• Both overhooks
• Different angle
• Unique control
• Works for some body types

Two-on-One Grip

Marcelo Garcia Specialty:

• Control one arm with both hands
• Famous Marcelo Garcia control
• Alternative grip system
• Effective isolation

Taking Away the Post

Concepts video emphasizes: The big thing is that we’ve got to make sure we take away the post.​

Preventing Base:

• Identify posting arm
• Control it with grips
• Don’t allow hand on mat
• Removes their balance
• Makes sweep easier

Rule: If sweeping to your right, secure left side grips first to prevent posting.​

Gordon Ryan and Marcelo Garcia ADCC Comparison

Aaron Benzrihem breaks down: Both Marcelo Garcia and Gordon Ryan used successfully at ADCC.​

Similarities:

• Both elevate opponent first
• Same sweeping concepts
• Gable grip (Marcelo) vs. wrist grip (Gordon)
• One more upright than other
• Core mechanics identical

Key Insight: The concepts remain the same regardless of small grip variations.​

Common Butterfly Sweep Mistakes

Mistake #1: Lying Flat on Back

Problem:

• Lying on back instead of sitting up
• No elevation possible
• Weak position
• Easy to pass

Fix:

• Always sit up
• Forward posture
• Chest to chest
• Never flat

Mistake #2: Not Scooting Deep Enough

Problem:

• Staying too far away
• Can’t elevate effectively
• No leverage
• Sweep fails

Fix:

• Scoot DEEP underneath
• Get under their center
• Close distance completely
• Critical positioning

Mistake #3: Trying to Leg-Curl the Sweep

Reddit warns: Don’t try to use it to leg-curl him into a sweep.​

Problem:

• Using hooks to curl opponent
• Wrong power source
• Ineffective mechanics
• Wastes energy

Fix:

• Hooks are scaffolding (rigid!)
• Power from pushing leg
• Hip elevation
• Proper mechanics

Mistake #4: Poor Grip Control

Problem:

• Weak grips
• Can’t control posture
• Opponent escapes
• Sweep fails

Fix:

• Strong underhook
• Tight overhook
• Pull them close
• Maintain throughout

Butterfly Sweep to Back Take

Paulo Amf teaches: Marcelo Garcia’s signature sweep & back take. Known for his fluid transitions and control, Garcia used the butterfly guard to dominate opponents and create powerful sweeps.​

Transition:

• Execute butterfly sweep
• Opponent defends by turning
• Take their back
• Hooks and seatbelt
• Most dominant position

Training the Butterfly Sweep

Drilling Progression

Week 1-2: Mechanics

• Solo: hip movements, hook placement
• Partner: cooperative sweeps
• Focus on form
• 20 reps each side

Week 3-4: Resistance

• Partner adds 25% resistance
• Practice grip variations
• Build timing
• Moderate speed

Week 5-6: Live Integration

• Positional sparring
• Start in butterfly guard
• Sweep or submit
• Realistic resistance

Combination Training

Tom DeBlass emphasizes: Butterfly guard down with sweeps is predicated upon the fact that we’re also snapping them down into guillotines, pouncing on kimuras, and playing arm drags.​

Combinations:

• Butterfly sweep → mount
• Failed sweep → guillotine
• Failed sweep → kimura
• Failed sweep → arm drag to back
• Multiple attacks = effective guard

The Butterfly Sweep Legacy

From Marcelo Garcia’s championship dominance to Gordon Ryan’s ADCC success and countless competitors using butterfly sweeps worldwide, this technique represents Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most dynamic and elevating sweep. What makes mastering the butterfly sweep essential for blue belts is versatility—unlike the scissor sweep’s sideways cutting motion, the butterfly sweep’s vertical elevation creates spectacular overhead reversals that land directly in dominant positions.

BJJ Fanatics concludes: This is a phenomenal option for continuing the butterfly guard sweep when there is more than average balance present from an opponent. Make sure that you work to get above the knee when you’re attacking your partners post, as this is the only way Garcia feels the reversal can take place.​

The butterfly sweep proves a fundamental grappling truth: elevation creates opportunity. While static guards hold position, dynamic butterfly players who elevate opponents off their base create the momentum that makes sweeps, transitions, and attacks inevitable—transforming defensive positions into explosive offensive platforms.

Whether you’re learning basic elevation mechanics or refining Marcelo Garcia’s championship-level kick sweep variations, mastering the butterfly sweep gives you the elevating attack that makes your butterfly guard dangerous, dynamic, and devastatingly effective.

How We Reviewed This Article

Editorial Standards: Technical information verified through Marcelo Garcia championship methodology, Gordon Ryan ADCC application, scaffolding mechanics principles, and contemporary butterfly guard instruction. Sweep mechanics reviewed by competitive black belts emphasizing proper elevation, grip variations, and Marcelo Garcia philosophy. Training protocols based on proven butterfly guard development used in successful competition programs worldwide.

Sources Referenced:

• Marcelo Garcia (fundamental execution, kick sweep variation)
• Gordon Ryan (ADCC application)
• BJJ Fanatics (Marcelo Garcia instructional breakdown)
• Reddit BJJ / Saulo Ribeiro (scaffolding mechanics)
• Aaron Benzrihem (ADCC comparison)
• Tom DeBlass (cylinder concept, combinations)
• Paulo Amf (back take transitions)

Last Updated: January 14, 2026