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BJJ Fundamentals

Lesson 42 – Half Butterfly Guard Passing

Warm Up (10min)

Partner Drills

  • Far-Side Shift

Lesson (30min)

  • Grip – Near-Side Underhook
    1. Start in top half-butterfly guard
    2. Slide your palm inside uke’s elbow and take a near-side underhook
    3. Shift to uke’s far-side to flatten their butterfly hook
      • This is the most important step; if uke’s knee points upwards or towards you, they will be able to off-balance and eventually sweep you
    4. Place your forehead on the mat for stability, with your free hand reaching out for base
    5. Place your free hand on uke’s knee and step over their leg to get to mount
  • Grip – Far-Side Underhook
    1. Start in top half-butterfly guard
    2. Take a conventional crossface and far-side underhook grip
      • Watch your base; keep in mind that it’s easier for uke to off-balance you in either direction when you use a crossface and and far-side underhook
    3. Shift to uke’s far-side and place your forehead on the mat
      • Ensure your hips are squarely facing the mat so that uke cannot easily off-balance you
    4. Knee drive over uke’s hips and step over uke’s legs to finish the pass
  • Lower Body Control – Butterfly Hook
    1. Continue from half-butterfly guard pass (after far-side shift)
    2. Uke has the option of transitioning to leg entanglements (ashi-garami, X-guard etc.)
    3. Pummel your shin between uke’s knees to get to your own butterfly hook
      • Uke should no longer be able to reach leg entanglements because they have lost inside position
    4. Place your free hand on uke’s knee and step over their leg to get to three-quarter mount
    5. Shift both knees to one side of uke’s body and use your free leg to free your ankle, completing the pass to side control
  • Lower Body Control – Grapevine Hook
    1. Continue from half-butterfly guard pass (after far-side shift)
    2. Uke puts their foot on the floor to strengthen their bridge
    3. Establish a grapevine hook around uke’s ground leg
      • Uke should no longer be able to lift you effectively because you have connected yourself to their lower body
    4. As uke continues to try and lift you, step over their butterfly hook and pass straight to mount