Yoga butterfly, hip opener - 2
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Standard Reclined Butterfly·Zao Wang Assad·Added by Admin
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Standard Reclined Butterfly
Genusスタンダードリクラインドバタフライ(Sutandādo Rikuraindo Batafurai)
TransliterationTranslation: standard reclined butterfly
Overview
The Standard Reclined Butterfly positions the guard player leaning back at approximately 45 degrees with both butterfly hooks in the opponent's thighs, using the angle to create pulling leverage on the hooks while maintaining upper body grips for control. [1] The reclined angle shifts the hook mechanics from a lifting motion to a pulling motion, which changes the available sweep and transition options. [1],[2] From standard reclined butterfly, the guard player can sweep, take the back via arm drags, or transition to other guard positions. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The standard reclined butterfly is the baseline version of this guard position. [1]
Lineage
Developed in modern no-gi BJJ. [1]
Competition Record
Used in no-gi competition. [1]
Images
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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
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
Videos
1 video
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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
✓Standard reclined butterfly execution: from seated butterfly, control the opponent's sleeve and collar (or wrist and collar tie), recline the torso 30-45 degrees while maintaining active hooks, and initiate the butterfly sweep by elevating with the hooking leg (Marcelo Garcia, Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 2011)
✓Step 1: establish seated butterfly with double underhooks or collar-sleeve grips
✓Step 2: recline the torso to load the opponent's weight onto your hooks
✓Step 3: choose the sweep direction and elevate with the corresponding hook
✓Step 4: use the grips to break the opponent's posting hand on the sweep side
✓Step 5: complete the sweep by extending the hook and following to the top
✓The reclined position should feel like loading a spring — the opponent's forward pressure compresses the hooks for the sweep
✓Drill: partner in butterfly guard, recline and sweep alternating sides — 5 reps each direction
Common Mistakes
!Reclining without establishing grips first — the grips control the opponent's posting ability
!Sweeping without breaking the opponent's base — remove the post on the sweep side before elevating
!Extending the hooks too early — load the opponent's weight first, then extend for the sweep
!Not following to the top after the sweep — immediately advance to a passing or pinning position
!Reclining flat instead of at an angle — maintain the 30-45 degree angle for optimal leverage
!Using only arm strength for the sweep — the hips and hooks generate the power
!Not developing the transition to X-guard from the reclined position — this is a critical secondary option
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I'm not very flexible in the Standard Reclined Butterfly stretch?
You can use a block to support your body during the stretch, which makes the position easier to achieve while you work on building flexibility.
How should I approach the side stretch variation of the reclined butterfly?
Raise your arms on the inhale, then exhale and bend your trunk to the side—you can perform this without a block initially. Focus on feeling the stretch along the side of your trunk while coordinating with your breathing.
How does the Standard Reclined Butterfly work?
The Standard Reclined Butterfly positions the guard player leaning back at approximately 45 degrees with both butterfly hooks in the opponent's thighs, using the angle to create pulling leverage on the hooks while maintaining upper body grips for control. The reclined angle shifts the hook mechanics from a lifting motion to a pulling motion, which changes the available sweep and transition options.
Where does the Standard Reclined Butterfly come from?
The standard reclined butterfly represents the basic version of the reclined butterfly guard variation, developed as part of the comprehensive butterfly guard system. It is taught alongside the seated version as an alternative butterfly guard configuration.
Is the Standard Reclined Butterfly 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 Standard Reclined Butterfly?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — guard positions are defensive; injury risk comes from transitions, not the position itself
How do I set up the Standard Reclined Butterfly?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Guard Contact → Control Grips → Manage Distance → Threaten Submissions/Sweeps.
How do I defend against the Standard Reclined Butterfly?
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 Standard Reclined Butterfly?
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 Standard Reclined Butterfly in competition?
Used in no-gi competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Reclined Butterfly?
Top errors to watch for: Reclining without establishing grips first — the grips control the opponent's posting ability / Sweeping without breaking the opponent's base — remove the post on the sweep side before elevating / Extending the hooks too early — load the opponent's weight first, then extend for the sweep / Not following to the top after the sweep — immediately advance to a passing or pinning position.
What are other names for the Standard Reclined Butterfly?
The Standard Reclined Butterfly is also known as Sutandādo Rikuraindo Batafurai, Lying Butterfly Guard, Flat Butterfly.