What's The Best Way to Pass Butterfly Guard in BJJ ?
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Butterfly Pass·Chewjitsu
What's the best way to pass butterfly guard in BJJ? This is the question I received recently from Callum. In BJJ I refr…
Butterfly Pass
SubFamilyButterfly・パス(Butterfly Pass)
Translation: butterfly pass
Overview
The Butterfly Pass in MMA context combines pressure passing with striking, using strikes to disrupt the butterfly guard player's hooks before driving through. [1]
MMA Butterfly Guard Pass
History & Origin
Butterfly Pass is a technique documented in BJ Penn's comprehensive MMA system. [1]
Effectiveness
Proven in UFC-level competition by BJ Penn and training partners. [1]
Lineage
Modern MMA methodology; BJ Penn / Greg Jackson lineage. [1]
Competition Record
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — MMA-specific positional mechanics for Butterfly Pass
Joints Involved — Full body — hips, shoulders, legs
Force Vector — Position-specific
Position & Entry
From MMA context — Execute butterfly pass
Variants
Standard Butterfly Pass
Modified Butterfly Pass
Videos
A BJJ Butterfly Guard Pass So Smooth But Surprisingly Simple
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Butterfly Pass·Chewjitsu
This is one of my favorite Guard Passes in BJJ. And I've called in the Surfboard pass since I learned it. What's great…
Passing Butterfly Guard: THREE (3) Guard Passes from the Knees (No Gi BJJ)
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Butterfly Pass·Brian Glick
Today we're going to look at three passes we can do on our knees when faced with the butterfly guard. Most of the time w…
1/2 Butterfly Pass - Add this to your game!
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Butterfly Pass·Brian Glick
Thanks for watching 😊 Want to support this channel? Check out my BJJ Fanatics instructionals, where we go deep into t…
Butterfly Guard Guide In Gi & Nogi | BJJ Fundamentals
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Butterfly Pass·Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu
✅ BJJ Beginner Course: https://bjjbeginnercourse.com ✅ Jiu-Jitsu Theory Course: https://jiujitsutheorycourse.com 📩 Ne…
BJJ Vault - Butterfly Pass & Omoplata Techniques
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Butterfly Pass·BJJ Vault
Brad Jackson show some very effective ways to counter the butterfly guard. Sean Roberts shows some omoplata techniques t…
Technique on Command - Passing the Butterfly Guard
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Butterfly Pass·Strong Hold Jiu Jitsu
Technique by Wade Barden Like and Subscribe Comment for Questions
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7 videosWhat Instructors Say
The butterfly pass encompasses multiple technical approaches, with instructors emphasizing both positional control principles and specific passing sequences. Strong Hold Jiu Jitsu establishes foundational strategy by recommending simply standing up to avoid the guard entirely, then details four primary passes: the toriando smash pass (inside grip, turning hand, driving shoulder into belly), the spike pass (grip to hip with options to keep opponent flat or force rotation), the X pass (collar and outside knee grip with a juke step before the crossing leg movement), and the corkscrew pass (underhook of pants cuff with head-to-shoulder positioning before spinning). BJJ Vault's Brad Jackson focuses on shutting down the opponent's ability to execute hook sweeps by pinching the knees together and driving hips forward, then demonstrates a pass that slots the leg while maintaining collar control, finishing in knee-on-belly. Chewjitsu presents the surfboard pass, which repurposes the technical stand-up movement by lifting the body and sliding a leg over the opponent's leg into knee-on-belly position, requiring hand-fighting setup and precise leg placement. Brian Glick addresses passing from the knees with three variations: the side body lock (pushing knees inside, creating chest pressure, walking knees forward), the over-under pass (using forearm pressure to prevent triangles while clearing the knee line), and the double scoop pass (underhook from both sides with hip-to-hip contact and stacking). All instructors agree on controlling the opponent's leg positioning and using body weight to prevent escape.
Synthesized from 4 instructors
- Strong Hold Jiu Jitsu — Technique on Command - Passing the Butterfly Guard: Detailed four specific passes (toriando smash, spike, X pass, corkscrew) with emphasis on standing up early to avoid engagement, inside/outside grip variations, and shoulder-driven pressure.
- BJJ Vault — BJJ Vault - Butterfly Pass & Omoplata Techniques: Emphasized preventative principles of pinching knees and driving hips to shut down hook sweeps, then demonstrated a collar-and-leg control pass finishing in knee-on-belly.
- Chewjitsu — A BJJ Butterfly Guard Pass So Smooth But Surprisingly Simple: Presented the surfboard pass as a fundamental jiu-jitsu movement (technical stand-up) applied to guard passing, requiring hand-fighting setup and precise leg sliding mechanics.
- Brian Glick — Passing Butterfly Guard: THREE (3) Guard Passes from the Knees (No Gi BJJ): Provided three knee-position passes (side body lock, over-under, double scoop) with detailed mechanics for preventing triangle counters and managing knee-line clearance.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Positional technique
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IBJJF — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part ...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Practise in MMA-specific sparring with strikes (Penn et al., 2007)
Common Mistakes
!Losing base
!Not maintaining control
!Poor transitions
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Engagement → Butterfly Pass → Advance position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge (Penn, Cordoza & Krauss, 2007)
1Book[1] Penn, B.J., Cordoza, G. and Krauss, E. (2007). Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9777315-6-5.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Penn, B
2Citation[1] Penn, B.J., Cordoza, G. and Krauss, E. (2007). Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9777315-6-5.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Penn, B
Community
Athletics
MMA-specific body control and pressure
Notes
The butterfly pass addresses the butterfly guard by pinning one of the opponent's hooks to the mat and driving through — removing the elevation threat. Requires defeating the underhook battle first. (Ribeiro, Jiu-Jitsu University; Danaher, Guard Passing series)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from sitting up when I'm in the butterfly pass?
Close your legs by pinching your knees together and bringing your opponent's ankles as close as possible, then put your hips forward. BJJ Vault emphasizes that this traps them in position and prevents them from getting up.
What should I grab to control my opponent during the butterfly pass?
Grab their collar with one hand and hold their leg with the other hand. BJJ Vault notes that grabbing the collar prevents them from standing up and shaking you off, as the weight transfers to their neck instead of their shoulder.
What's the key to sweeping from butterfly guard without getting passed?
Get a deep underhook with your shoulder underneath their armpit and pull their arm (preferably the tricep) to your body so they can't post. Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu emphasizes that you need to bring their butt off their heels by connecting your bodies with the underhook so 'where you go, they go.'
How do I set up the butterfly pass when my opponent is chasing my movement?
Pop up on your foot toward the direction you want to pass, hand fight on the inside of their arm while walking to the opposite side, then as they chase you, bend and lift to slide your leg over theirs. Chewjitsu notes this pass requires practice but is smooth and effective when executed properly.
How does the Butterfly Pass work?
The Butterfly Pass in MMA context combines pressure passing with striking, using strikes to disrupt the butterfly guard player's hooks before driving through.
Where does the Butterfly Pass come from?
Butterfly Pass is a technique documented in BJ Penn's comprehensive MMA system.
Is the Butterfly Pass legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; IJF: legal — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part of newaza; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; Unified MMA: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Butterfly Pass?
Danger rating 3/10. Positional technique
How do I set up the Butterfly Pass?
The standard setup chain: Engagement → Butterfly Pass → Advance position.
How do I defend against the Butterfly Pass?
Standard counters include: Guard retention / Frame and escape / Submission counter.
What are the variants of the Butterfly Pass?
Common variants: Standard Butterfly Pass; Modified Butterfly Pass.
How effective is the Butterfly Pass in competition?
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Butterfly Pass?
Top errors to watch for: Losing base / Not maintaining control / Poor transitions.
What are other names for the Butterfly Pass?
The Butterfly Pass is also known as Butterfly Pass, MMA Butterfly Guard Pass.