Double Leg from Seated Butterfly Guard (No Gi BJJ)
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Seated Butterfly Guard·Brian Glick
Double Leg from the Seated Butterfly Guard: in jiu-jitsu, most people focus on using the butterfly guard either to sweep…
Seated Butterfly Guard
SubFamily座りバタフライガード(Suwari Batafurai Gādo)
HybridTranslation: seated butterfly guard
Overview
The Seated Butterfly Guard subfamily covers the standard butterfly guard position where the guard player sits upright with both butterfly hooks inside the opponent's thighs, using the seated posture for maximum lifting leverage and transitional mobility. [1] The seated butterfly guard is the primary butterfly guard configuration, providing the strongest hook elevation for sweeps and the most options for transitions to other positions. [1],[2] The upright seated posture allows the guard player to use the full power of the hook lift combined with upper body pulling to execute sweeps. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Marcelo Garcia used the seated butterfly guard to win multiple ADCC titles. [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 seated butterfly guard is the fundamental butterfly position — upright torso, both hooks inside the thighs, with underhook or collar tie control (Marcelo Garcia, Advanced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 2011)
✓The seated posture provides maximum sweep power: the torso acts as a lever that amplifies the hook's elevation
✓Head position matters: the head should be on the underhook side, driving into the opponent's chest or chin
✓The seated butterfly is the starting point for the entire butterfly system: sweeps, arm drags, guillotines, and guard transitions
✓Posture maintenance is active: constantly adjust to stay upright against the opponent's pressure
✓The seated position allows immediate stand-up options — posting and rising is available at any time
✓In competition, the seated butterfly is the most common guard position at the elite no-gi level
Common Mistakes
!Sitting with a rounded back — maintain an upright, athletic posture with chest up
!Placing hooks without upper body control — the hooks and grips work as a system
!Sitting too far from the opponent — the hooks need the opponent's weight on them to function
!Keeping the head on the wrong side — the head goes to the underhook side for sweep leverage
!Not moving the hips — active hip scooting maintains optimal distance and angle
!Playing seated butterfly against a standing opponent — transition to single-leg X or X-guard when they stand
!Ignoring the arm drag opportunity — the seated position is ideal for arm drags to the back
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) [3] Marcelo Garcia: Advanced BJJ Techniques (2011)
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] The Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2003) [3] Marcelo Garcia: Advanced BJJ Techniques (2011)
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
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 prevent my opponent from sprawling when attacking from seated butterfly guard?
Keep your arms controlled and reach around to control your partner's leg on the far side, making sure to control down low rather than up high. If you don't control down here, your partner will be able to sprawl and escape.
Where should my hands be positioned when going for a double leg from seated butterfly guard?
One hand should reach around behind the buttocks while the other hand controls your partner's leg on the far side, keeping both arms tight to prevent sprawl escapes.
How does the Seated Butterfly Guard work?
The Seated Butterfly Guard subfamily covers the standard butterfly guard position where the guard player sits upright with both butterfly hooks inside the opponent's thighs, using the seated posture for maximum lifting leverage and transitional mobility. The seated butterfly guard is the primary butterfly guard configuration, providing the strongest hook elevation for sweeps and the most options for transitions to other positions.
Where does the Seated Butterfly Guard come from?
The seated butterfly guard is the classic butterfly guard position, the foundation of the butterfly guard system made famous by Marcelo Garcia. It is the version most commonly taught and used in competition at all levels.
Is the Seated 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 Seated 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 Seated Butterfly Guard?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Guard Contact → Control Grips → Manage Distance → Threaten Submissions/Sweeps.
How do I defend against the Seated 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 Seated 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 Seated Butterfly Guard in competition?
Marcelo Garcia used the seated butterfly guard to win multiple ADCC titles.
What are common mistakes when doing the Seated Butterfly Guard?
Top errors to watch for: Sitting with a rounded back — maintain an upright, athletic posture with chest up / Placing hooks without upper body control — the hooks and grips work as a system / Sitting too far from the opponent — the hooks need the opponent's weight on them to function / Keeping the head on the wrong side — the head goes to the underhook side for sweep leverage.
What are other names for the Seated Butterfly Guard?
The Seated Butterfly Guard is also known as Suwari Batafurai Gādo, Upright Butterfly Guard, Sitting Butterfly, Butterfly Hook Guard.