Basics of the no-gi butterfly guard
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Reclined Butterfly Guard·JeanJacquesMachado
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Reclined Butterfly Guard
SubFamilyリクラインドバタフライガード(Rikuraindo Batafurai Gādo)
TransliterationTranslation: reclined butterfly guard
Overview
The Reclined Butterfly Guard subfamily covers the butterfly guard variation where the guard player leans back at an angle rather than sitting fully upright, changing the leverage dynamics of the hooks and creating different sweeping and attacking angles. [1] The reclined position allows the guard player to use the hooks with a more horizontal pull rather than a vertical lift, which can be advantageous for certain sweeps and back takes. [1],[2] The reclined angle also makes it harder for the top player to drive forward and flatten the guard player. [2],[3]
History & Origin
The reclined butterfly guard developed as a variation of the standard butterfly guard, used by competitors who found that the leaning-back angle provided different mechanical advantages in certain situations. [1] It is part of the broader butterfly guard system popularised by Marcelo Garcia and other butterfly guard specialists. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
The reclined butterfly guard angles the torso back while maintaining butterfly hooks, creating distance for sweeps and leg entries. [1]
Lineage
The reclined butterfly was developed in modern no-gi competition as a platform for leg lock entries. [1]
Competition Record
Used in ADCC and no-gi competition by leg lock specialists. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Using the legs and hips to control the opponent from the bottom — maintaining distance management and attack angles
Joints Involved — Hips (primary engine for sweeps and attacks), knees (framing and hooking), ankles (secondary hooks)
Force Vector — Pulling, framing, and hip-escaping — creating angles for attacks while preventing passing
Positional Mechanic — The guard is an active offensive position — leg control compensates for bottom positioning by threatening sweeps and submissions
Position & Entry
From seated guard — Sit up facing the opponent, place both feet as hooks inside their thighs, control the upper body with grips
From half guard transition — Release one leg from half guard, insert both hooks to transition to butterfly guard
Videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Guard positions are defensive; injury risk comes from transitions, not the position itself
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— IJF — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — ground...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from ...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points por...
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — no penalty for playing guard
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The reclined butterfly guard uses a slightly angled, reclined torso position with butterfly hooks to create different sweep angles than the standard seated version (Marcelo Garcia, Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 2011)
✓The recline creates a longer lever arm for elevating sweeps — the opponent's weight is loaded onto the hooks at a mechanical advantage
✓Reclined butterfly transitions naturally to X-guard and single-leg X by extending the hooks
✓The recline must be controlled: angle back 30-45 degrees, not flat on the back — maintain the ability to sit back up
✓Grip fighting from reclined butterfly favours collar-sleeve or wrist-collar controls that complement the reclined angle
✓The reclined position is particularly effective against opponents who drive forward aggressively — their pressure feeds the sweep
✓Marcelo Garcia frequently used the reclined butterfly as a transition point between seated butterfly and X-guard
Common Mistakes
!Reclining too far and losing the ability to sit up — maintain core engagement to control the angle
!Losing hook position when reclining — the hooks must stay active as the torso reclines
!Not having grip control before reclining — grips must be established first
!Reclining passively without attacking — the reclined position should immediately threaten sweeps
!Not transitioning to X-guard when the opportunity presents — the recline is a gateway to X-guard
!Allowing the opponent to pin the shoulders flat — use frames to prevent being flattened
!Reclining without a specific sweep target — every positional change should have offensive intent
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Achieve Guard Contact — establish leg control around or against the opponent
2Control Grips — secure sleeve, collar, or wrist control for manipulation
3Manage Distance — use legs and grips to control the range and prevent passing
4Threaten Submissions/Sweeps — create offensive threats to keep the opponent reactive
Sources & References
Primary Source
Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Techniques (Marcelo Garcia, 2011)
1BookThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] The Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2003)
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] The Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2003)
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility, active legs, grip management
Favours
long legs for distance control and guard retention
Key muscles
hip flexors, adductors, quadriceps, core, grip
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep my opponent from escaping the reclined butterfly guard?
Jean Jacques Machado emphasizes that you must coordinate your arms, hips, and legs simultaneously—if your legs aren't working, your opponent will escape. Use heel hooks (not toe hooks) to lock him in place, and lower your level by bringing your head down to his head to prevent hip movement.
What should I do when my opponent tries to insert their arm to escape?
According to Jean Jacques Machado, when your opponent gets their arm inside, immediately stretch everything and control the hip—without hip control, they will get away. Place your hand and head on their armpit to maintain control.
Why is head control important in the reclined butterfly guard?
Jean Jacques Machado stresses that if you don't hold your opponent's head, they will rise up and escape the position, so maintaining head control is essential to keeping them pinned down.
How does the Reclined Butterfly Guard work?
The Reclined Butterfly Guard subfamily covers the butterfly guard variation where the guard player leans back at an angle rather than sitting fully upright, changing the leverage dynamics of the hooks and creating different sweeping and attacking angles. The reclined position allows the guard player to use the hooks with a more horizontal pull rather than a vertical lift, which can be advantageous for certain sweeps and back takes.
Where does the Reclined Butterfly Guard come from?
The reclined butterfly guard developed as a variation of the standard butterfly guard, used by competitors who found that the leaning-back angle provided different mechanical advantages in certain situations. It is part of the broader butterfly guard system popularised by Marcelo Garcia and other butterfly guard specialists.
Is the Reclined Butterfly Guard legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from guard score 2 points; IJF: restricted — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — groundwork from guard permitted …; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points portion; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — no penalty for playing guard; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Reclined Butterfly Guard?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — guard positions are defensive; injury risk comes from transitions, not the position itself
How do I set up the Reclined Butterfly Guard?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Guard Contact → Control Grips → Manage Distance → Threaten Submissions/Sweeps.
How do I defend against the Reclined Butterfly Guard?
Standard counters include: Guard Pass — systematically work to clear the legs and establish a dominant position / Leg Pin — control one or both legs to neutralize guard retention / Pressure Passing — use heavy chest pressure to flatten and immobilize the guard player.
What are the variants of the Reclined Butterfly Guard?
Common variants: Standard butterfly guard (both feet hooked inside the opponent's thighs); Single butterfly hook (one hook in while the other leg posts or controls); Butterfly with overhook (combining the hooks with an overhook for sweep setups).
How effective is the Reclined Butterfly Guard in competition?
Used in ADCC and no-gi competition by leg lock specialists.
What are common mistakes when doing the Reclined Butterfly Guard?
Top errors to watch for: Reclining too far and losing the ability to sit up — maintain core engagement to control the angle / Losing hook position when reclining — the hooks must stay active as the torso reclines / Not having grip control before reclining — grips must be established first / Reclining passively without attacking — the reclined position should immediately threaten sweeps.
What are other names for the Reclined Butterfly Guard?
The Reclined Butterfly Guard is also known as Rikuraindo Batafurai Gādo, Supine Butterfly Guard, Leaning Back Butterfly.