Student Objectives:
The student will explore the Butterfly Guard, it’s controls, and frames.
The student will apply the Overhook Sweep from the Butterfly position using good technique against a compliant partner.
Teaching Cues:
Butterfly
Watching TV
Overhook
Straighten the leg, fall on the Shoulder
Lift and Turn
Lesson: Overhook Sweep from Butterfly Guard
The practicing student will sit in the Butterfly Guard. The Butterfly guard is created by sitting flat on your buttocks, with posture, and the legs are gently bent. The heels should be brought close to the practicing students groin but are not required to touch the groin. Once in position the practicing student will place their own wrists on their knees with their palms pointed up.
The assisting student will then Triangle Sit with their knees on either side of the assisting student’s ankles and then place one hand on the practicing student’s knee and one hand on the shoulder (same side grip placements).
To execute the Overhook Sweep, the practicing student will transfer their body into the Watching TV position by placing their hand on the floor on the same side the assisting student is controlling the knee. Then the practicing student will slide their hips towards the assisting student while slightly changing angle to get the underhook.
Both of the practicing students' feet should stay between the knees of the assisting student and then the head should be pressed firmly against the chest of the assisting student. Make sure the face is angled towards the assisting student’s grip on the knee.
Next the practicing student will remove the posted hand off of the floor and trap the assisting student’s arm that is placed on the knee. This can simply be a Sloth Grip around the outside of the tricep close to the elbow. The goal of this grip is to trap the arm and prevent an adjustment of the base during the sweep.
To off balance the assisting student, the practicing student will straighten the controlled leg between the thighs of the assisting student. As their leg is straightened, the practicing student will fall on their shoulder towards the Overhook and pull the assisting student down into the space created by the straightening of the leg.
While falling on the shoulder the practicing student should lift with the hooking leg to create a rotational force. The lifting, combined with the straightening/falling from the previous steps should allow a clean transition to a top position. This will typically land in a modified mount position.
Possible Extensions:
Some opponents will have exaggerated base and it may be difficult to fully elevate them to turn them over. The Overhook sweep can still be applied in this instance by remaining on the shoulder with the hook elevated and then adjusting the leg that was straightened. The straightened leg should be pulled under the elevated hook and repostined to have active toes. The practicing student will then push off the foot creating several light bounces in the direction of the assisting student while maintaining balance on their shoulder. This is an extremely powerful variation of the Butterfly sweep and relies less on explosive power.
Have the practicing student start in Side Control with strong frames across the hip and collarbone. Then execute the beginning of the Shrimp to Recompose Guard. Often when it becomes apparent that they will not be able to maintain Side Control, an opposing athlete will sit up to disengage. When the athlete disengages by pushing off, have the practicing student immediately off center themselves in the Watching TV position and force Butterfly. If the opposing athlete stays on their knees the move can be executed as stated above, if they elevate it can be a great entry into X Guard or another form of Open Guard.
The Belt Row is a great way to get an assisting student to place a hand on the floor from the Butterfly Submission. To execute the Belt Row, the practicing student will sit in the Butterfly Guard Position and make a firm grip on the assisting student’s belt knot with both hands. Then, in a rowing motion, the practicing student will lean back while pulling with both hands and allow their buttocks to slide across the floor and make contact with their own heels. This should pull the assisting student onto the shins/hooks of the practicings student while also forcing their upper body forward. This, by itself, can be a sweep. However, most of the time the assisting student will place one or two hands on the floor.
While maintaining the elevation, the practicing student should let go of the belt knot with one hand and take an Overhook Grip on the posted arm. Make sure that this grip is taken with care during practice as injuries to the elbow can occur if the arm is snatched off of the floor.
Once the practicing student has the Overhook they may allow the assisting student to return to their knees and execute the sweep as stated above. There will be a slight difference in how the arm is controlled with the Overhook, but the goal is to keep it pinned to the body while allowing the assisting student to return to the floor and then not allowing them to have it back again.
As the practicing student gains more proficiency with this setup, they will be able to make an effective Overhook Grip during the elevation and will not need to return to the Butterfly Guard to make this variation effective.
Possible Refinements:
Students often have trouble disengaging when falling on their side/shoulder. This is because they are trying to fall before completely straightening the leg. The focus should be on extending the leg as deep under the assisting partner as possible and this will create an imbalance in their base that requires them to fall. Explain to the student’s that falling on their side is a byproduct of straightening the leg.
The slight angle change is really important. The practicing student should be trying to get as deep of an underhook as they can while still maintaining a powerful Butterfly Hook on the same side.
Encourage student’s to lift with the hook as they are falling or they may find that future opponent’s will pin that heel to their buttocks to prevent any lifting power.
Some students will fall straight back. Make sure they are falling towards the overhooked arm.
Reference materials:
Teaching Reflections:
How did I do teaching?
What could I do better next time?
Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?