How to Master the Butterfly Guard
Brazilian jujitsu is used as a form of self-defense, as a popular grappling sport and as a fundamental element in mixed martial arts competitions like the Ultimate Fighting Championships. To become a well-balanced grappler, a BJJ player must master a variety of styles both from on top of an opponent and on bottom. The butterfly guard is a controlling style of bottom jujitsu, using your legs to keep an opponent off balance and your arms to prevent him from attacking with offensive maneuvers.
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Instructions
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Hook your feet around the legs of your opponent, with your shins running along the inside of his thighs or knees and your feet pulled tight against the back of his legs. The hooks help you to control his lower body.
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Press out with your legs, putting pressure on the inside of your opponent's legs to prevent him from achieving a solid base to attack you with.
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Grab the lapels of your opponent's "gi" (suit), if you are competing in gi grappling, to control your opponent.
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Secure your opponent by passing your arms under his arms and around his body to control your opponent in no-gi grappling or mixed martial arts.
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Pull your opponent close to you, preventing him from getting space to attack with grappling or strikes.
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Keep your back off the mat, as the butterfly guard cannot be properly worked from your back.
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Hold your head and hips lower than your opponent's head and hips, respectively.
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Practice sweeps from the butterfly guard. While there are submissions that can be worked from the butterfly guard, most notably leg locks, the butterfly's primary strength is its ability to control and open an opportunity to sweep to top position or standing.
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