3 Variations Of The Butterfly Guard Pass

By Matt Bryers, February 11, 2019

A great butterfly guard player can be a real pain in the ass to deal with. The butterfly is one of the oldest and most traditional forms of guard play in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Using butterfly hooks, an opponent can weaken your base, control your distance, sweep you, and even submit you. It goes without saying that every Brazilian Jiu Jitsu player ought to have butterfly guard passing knowledge. It is a part of every high level competitor’s arsenal of passes. You would be wise to know some yourself.

The Smash Pass or Pressure Passing is one of the best ways to defeat the buttefly guard... But, there is an art to pressuring passing and one of the best guard passers in the world is Bernardo Faria. Bernardo is infamous for his over / under pass that he has utilized countless times at the highest levels. This pressure passing system is easy to learn and does not require any athleticism, strength, or energy.

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#1: A Complex Butterfly Guard Pass But Very Efficient by Chris Yonkers

The key to success when learning any new move, such as the Butterfly Guard Pass, is to break it down into smaller steps which will let you repeat the process many times during drilling. Watch 5 Time World Champion Bernardo Faria and Chris Yonkers demonstrate an amazing butterfly guard pass in the video below.

It is important when passing the butterfly guard to enter in with aggression. You want to flatten your training partner in order to stop any of their bodyweight or forward momentum. This will prevent them from lifting you up and sweeping you with their butterfly hooks.

You should work towards freeing on leg from your opponent’s butterfly hook. The best way to do this is to step back and move the opponent’s thigh completely out of the way. You want to move as soon as you are free from the hook – it is a bad idea to hang out in this position for too long. Instead you need to place your thigh against the hook. This will allow you to double up against your opponent’s leg. Having a two on one position like this makes you much more powerful. It allows you to bring the outside leg over the thigh. When the opponent does nothing or offers no resistance with the shin, Bernardo will simply pass and establish his side control. Chris will hip switch and pass if Bernardo elevates and resists the pass. Chris is able to pass a tricky guard with a methodical approach to flatten his opponent, freeing the hook to double up on one side and moving the hips.

#2: Butterfly Guard Pass by Fabiano Scherner

Now let’s look at a highly effective butterfly guard pass from Fabiano Scherner. Fabiano Scherner is a German Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt. He has fought in Cage Rage, IFL and the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Scherner is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor who won multiple championships on an international and world stage in senior and master divisions. Watch the video below of Fabiano demonstrating his butterfly guard pass and then we will break down his technique. Check it out now!

Pay attention to the hip movement Fabiano Scherner uses to off balance his opponent, and pass the butterfly hooks. Once you are in the air, you want do use this same type of movement. It will cause your training partner’s hooks to collapse, rendering their butterfly guard completely ineffective. I think that is the most important detail of this technique. The second most important detail is posting wide on the mats on your hands. This will be a lot harder if you try it with your elbows, so make sure you get up to your hands.

#3: Butterfly Guard Pass by Carl Masaro

Carl is a third degree black belt under the legendary Renzo Gracie. Carl has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for over a decade and has his own school in New Jersey in the United States. Carl is an expert when it comes to passing the butterfly guard in no gi. Watch the video below and then we will break down Carl Masaro’s butter fly guard pass technique. Check it out now!

The first variation of the butterfly guard pass that Carl Masaro shows is one where he likes to jump over his opponent’s hooks. A lot of people telegraph when they go to jump over the hooks by placing their head on the mats next to their training partner’s ribs. Carl keeps his head on the wrong side of Bernardo’s body until he is ready to jump over the hooks. This fakes your opponent out, making them think you are going to pass one way and then going the other way.

Keep these 3 variations of the butterfly guard pass in mind the next time you are on the mats and looking to pass your training partner’s guard!

Bernardo Faria is arguably the most well rounded BJJ Athlete in the world, with 5... yes 5 world titles. What makes his one of the best is his half guard and his passing - especially his over under pass series. If you are looking to gain all the secrets on how to pass every BJJ guard that has ever existed, then check out his DVD series called Battle Tested Pressuring Passing By Bernardo Faria.

Learn Exactly What The Best Passer In The World Is Thinking As He Teaches You Step-By-Step How To Pass The Toughest Guards You’ll See At Any BJJ Academy or Tournament Bernardo Faria Teaches 29 Of His Best Guard Pass Techniques Updated For 2017. He Also Includes Running Commentary On His Sparring With Another 29 Sessions With Crazy Tough Brown & Black Belts, Including One World Champion.