[PaciFist]

So, I am trying to go back to basics. I have been playing with the rubber guard a lot and I like it, but when I can't break down someone's posture, I go back to standard guard positions. I have neglected my butterfly guard for a long time, and I miss the options available from it. So, I started working on it again this past week, and damn it, I can't keep ANYONE in it. I instantly get passed to side mount. Even if I have a single butterfly hook in and a tight open guard, my knee gets popped down and I get passed. I love my guard, so I don't want to immediately go back to neglecting butterfly just because I'm stuck.

So, how do you keep someone in your butterfly guard (particularly someone larger/stronger as I am a little guy). What is your favorite sweep from butterfly?

Thanks.

[David_Jacobs]

Originally Posted by PaciFist

So, I am trying to go back to basics. I have been playing with the rubber guard a lot and I like it, but when I can't break down someone's posture, I go back to standard guard positions. I have neglected my butterfly guard for a long time, and I miss the options available from it. So, I started working on it again this past week, and damn it, I can't keep ANYONE in it. I instantly get passed to side mount. Even if I have a single butterfly hook in and a tight open guard, my knee gets popped down and I get passed. I love my guard, so I don't want to immediately go back to neglecting butterfly just because I'm stuck.

So, how do you keep someone in your butterfly guard (particularly someone larger/stronger as I am a little guy). What is your favorite sweep from butterfly?

Thanks.

IMO, unlike the closed guard or the 1/2 guard where you can be more passive because of the control you have over your opponent (because your legs are locked around him), the butterfly guard requires much more activity/aggressiveness. For many butterfly sweeps, you'll want to be underhooking at least one of your opponent's arms. Also, resist the temptation to always do the butterfly from flat on your back. While there are sweeps from your back, you should also be able to use the butterfly while sitting up in a more aggressive posture.

Also, the butterfly to X-guard transition is very easy and (often necessary) should be a part of your game.

My favorite sweeps from the butterfly? The one that works!

[the heed]

Originally Posted by David_Jacobs

Also, the butterfly to X-guard transition is very easy and (often necessary) should be a part of your game.

My favorite sweeps from the butterfly? The one that works!

ain't that the truth

[Sherdog_Mutt]

It's good to see reputable black belts like Dave Camarillo and Dave Jacobs posting on here recently!

[PaciFist]

Originally Posted by David_Jacobs

Also, resist the temptation to always do the butterfly from flat on your back. While there are sweeps from your back, you should also be able to use the butterfly while sitting up in a more aggressive posture.

Thanks for the ideas. This might be a huge part of my problem. I have been going onto my back once I hook the leg. Going to play with that a bit tonight to see what I can do.

[Zankou]

Going to your back is the biggest error people make in playing butterfly guard.

Even when you sweep, there's not much point in going to your back. You want to always go to your side.

The only time I will go on my back is when I have deep double underhooks, or if I'm trying to play half butterfly.

[the heed]

I will try to find it but Zankou wrote out this big thing about the butterfly guard not too long ago and it was really well written and tells you basically how to play it..

[PaciFist]

Ok, time for more specifics. After my rolling session today, I spent a lot of time working from half guard to butterfly guard.

Saying I was on my right side, with my opponents right leg in my half guard. I would bring my left leg butterfly in, pop my right knee up for the other fly, and over-under clinch his upper body, which brought me into a sitting position.

I was able to hold this position for a while, but I ran into another type of problem. If I was unable to get a sweep quickly, I got tired (relatively) quickly. Every time I would go to switch to another guard position to regain composure (x-guard or half guard mostly), I brought my back close to the ground. As soon as I went for the switch, I got passed.

So assuming you don't get a quick sweep from a sitting butterfly, what options do you go for?

thanks again, you've been quite helpful

[codemonkey76]

one thing that i have learnt recently, is the hooks don't play much of a role in BFG until you actually go to sweep, you should have your body turned 45 degrees and you should be able to use your far hand to post back on your arm if needed, you should have your knee/shin almost in your opponents centre line and the other leg on the floor.

EDIT: Also you want your head on the inside, i post my forehead against their collar bone.

Try sweeping one way, then the other, i they resist one, you can normally get them the other way.

If you are having no luck with sweeps and want to disengage and play some other guard, my favorite way to switch is get control of their sleeves and put my feet on their hips and push to stretch em right out, then you can play spider or get your hooks out to go to closed guard.