Butterfly Guard Prerequisites

The butterfly guard is most effective when the opponent is on their knees, not standing. When the opponent stands, butterfly guard positioning loses control and other techniques should be employed instead.

Hook Development Strategy

Practitioners should prioritize developing one strong hook rather than two weak ones. A single well-executed hook provides superior control and sweep mechanics compared to dual hooks with poor positioning.

Hand Fighting and Underhook Entry

Before securing the underhook, the practitioner must control the opponent's hands through hand fighting. Reaching forward with both hands simultaneously allows the opponent to pummel through and establish their own underhook, so focus on securing one side with commitment.

Shoulder Positioning Over the Chest

The underhook-side shoulder must sit high and tight against the opponent's chest, not tucked under the armpit. Lower shoulder position in the hand fight indicates losing position, as it allows the opponent to drive backward and initiate a pass.

Hip Positioning Away from the Underhook

The practitioner must shift hips away from the underhook side to prevent the opponent from posting and blocking the sweep. By tucking the foot underneath and moving hips laterally, the practitioner gains extra support and prevents being tilted to the posting side.

Arm Control and Wrist Lock

Control the opponent's arm by gripping the back of the tricep and locking the practitioner's elbow over the wrist to prevent posting. The elbow must block the wrist directly, not sit lower where the opponent can escape.

Falling to the Side for the Sweep

The practitioner must fall to their side rather than directly onto their back when executing the sweep. Falling backward allows the opponent to reverse or re-center, whereas lateral falling provides the correct trajectory for the leg hook to complete the sweep.

Hook Function During the Sweep

The butterfly hook serves primarily to maintain connection and provide minor assistance rather than generate sweeping force. The sweep is initiated by the practitioner taking the opponent's weight through body positioning and shoulder control, with the hook providing only supplemental pressure.

High Underhook Placement

The underhook must be positioned high on the opponent's torso, not low on the waist. A low underhook allows the opponent to drop their weight and resist forward movement, while a high underhook prevents them from sagging into a defensive base.

Fundamentals of the butterfly sweep (Lachlan Giles)

Absolute MMA St Kilda - Melbourne

Standard Leg Over

2 min read·9 key moments·PT6M29S video

Key Takeaways

•Butterfly Guard Prerequisites
•Hook Development Strategy
•Hand Fighting and Underhook Entry
•Shoulder Positioning Over the Chest

Instructionals and seminars can be found through http://lachlangiles.net

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this video teach about standard leg over?

This video covers butterfly guard prerequisites, hook development strategy, hand fighting and underhook entry. It provides detailed instruction from Absolute MMA St Kilda - Melbourne.

How long does it take to learn standard leg over?

The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 9-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.