butterfly is the best guard - Page 2

Vector_X · 05-05-2008, 08:42 PM

I dunno to each his own, but mine has never been quite good enough.

tinker_190 · 05-05-2008, 08:43 PM

I really want to learn it, but haven't gotten a chance to start drilling some of it. I've ended up in it a few times rolling, but was lost.

FLMikeATT · 05-05-2008, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinker_190

I really want to learn it, but haven't gotten a chance to start drilling some of it. I've ended up in it a few times rolling, but was lost.

Try Stephen Kesting's dvd. I don't have it myself, but I've heard great things about it.

**Zankou** · 05-05-2008, 09:06 PM

It's 80% of what I play nowadays.

Its virtues are legion: Works just as well nogi/mma, ties in perfectly with wrestling/half guard, greatly improves your escapes, fills in a lot of the gaps of the guard game, forces you to become proficient at hand/grip fighting, requires little to no flexibility, puts very little strain on your body (knees and back will thank you), is superb versus larger opponents, very difficult to leglock you, will help you achieve the elusive "flow," will force you to work your top game because you'll end up on top a lot.

With all that said, my favorite guard is still cross guard -- it has the most offensive firepower of any guard, IMHO. But for a long time, I've just been focusing on butterfly. I plan to return to focus on cross guard in a year or so.

One thing about learning butterfly btw ... you can't just learn a couple moves. You have to really devote yourself to butterfly for a substantial period to begin to make it work.

the heed · 05-05-2008, 09:22 PM

I do love the butterfly guard..
I mean majority of my game is the BTG and half guard
but I don't think its the end all best guard
I mean some people have a hard time playing the butterfly because how they are built and some people are just WAY better from full guard..

IMO, its all how you play and what "WORKS" for you

ro1em0de1 · 05-05-2008, 09:26 PM

i agree fully butterfly to x or butterfly to spider or butterfly to z guard is my base from bottom...

tinker_190 · 05-05-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLMikeATT

Try Stephen Kesting's dvd. I don't have it myself, but I've heard great things about it.

I'll see if I can find a copy online (sorry I'm damn cheap).

Any other DVD recommendations? I've been wanting to learn this guard. I'm nervous though because 99% of what I know is from full guard.

Mikey Triangles · 05-05-2008, 10:21 PM

I said pretty much this same speech in class tonight about a half hour before you posted, lol. I swear I didn't copy

FLMikeATT · 05-05-2008, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinker_190

I'll see if I can find a copy online (sorry I'm damn cheap).

Any other DVD recommendations? I've been wanting to learn this guard. I'm nervous though because 99% of what I know is from full guard.

Yeah, you should definitely try to rectify that. The closed guard is great, but you need to be proficient in various other guards (open, butterfly, half) to be a good bottom player. BFG gets me to top position like no other which is why I enjoy playing it. Being on top beats the hell out of being on bottom. When I'm on top, I'm a lot more methodical and patient because I have time and energy to work, and it saves gas because you don't have a guy's weight on you constantly.

As for others dvds, I've heard good things about Saulo, Marcelo, and Sperry, but I haven't seen them so I don't know what exactly they cover. Check out budovideos.com or other websites that cater to the martial arts crowd.

FLMikeATT · 05-05-2008, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey Triangles

I said pretty much this same speech in class tonight about a half hour before you posted, lol. I swear I didn't copy

heh.

Are you the instructor at your gym?