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Best Butterfly Guard Instructional: Top Picks and Reviews
Seated and hooks-in, you can sweep anyone who pressures forward, drag to the back, or transition into X-guard and leg entries. I studied the 6 best butterfly guard systems on BJJ Fanatics, compared reviews from BJJ World, Sherdog, Reddit, and specialist blogs, and ranked them by teaching quality, depth, and real-world applicability.
Heads up: the BJJ Fanatics links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes the rankings – every pick is judged on teaching quality, technique depth, and real-world applicability first.
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The top picks, up front
2026 editionButterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0
Adam WardzinskiThe gold-standard gi butterfly system. Steering wheel sweeps, lazy butterfly, and SLX transitions in one cohesive package.
≈7 h · gi · all levels · $149The Complete Butterfly Guard
Marcelo GarciaFrom the undisputed GOAT of butterfly guard. Shoulder clamp sweep, arm drags, and X-guard transitions that still dominate.
≈3.5 h · gi & no-gi · intermediate+ · $149Forging The Guard: Butterfly Guard
Giancarlo BodoniADCC gold medalist system with sumi gaeshi chains, bodylock pass defense, and direct leg entry transitions.
≈7 h · no-gi · intermediate · $197Butterfly guard is the great equalizer from bottom. Seated and hooks-in, you can sweep anyone who pressures forward, drag to the back, or transition into X-guard and leg entries. These 6 instructionals represent the best butterfly guard systems on BJJ Fanatics. I studied all of them, compared reviews from BJJ World, Sherdog, Reddit, and specialist blogs, and ranked them by teaching quality, depth, and real-world applicability.
Last updated: March 2026. Prices checked at time of writing.
Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0
Adam WardzinskiThe most comprehensive gi butterfly guard system available. Eight volumes covering steering wheel sweeps, lazy butterfly, half-butterfly, and SLX transitions in one cohesive package.
What it covers
Wardzinski builds from basic butterfly sweep mechanics with underhook/overhook variations through his signature lazy butterfly guard (a reclined posture using cross collar and sleeve grips). Volumes progress into side butterfly entries, the John Wayne sweep from half-butterfly, SLX transitions, and the steering wheel sweep series with quick-switch variations. Later volumes cover back takes, submission chains from butterfly (arm drags to brabo choke, inverted armbar, omoplata), and competition-specific sequences.
The lazy butterfly concept is what sets this apart. Instead of the explosive, all-out attack style Marcelo Garcia uses, Wardzinski plays a more controlled game with multiple grip points, distance management, and reclined postures that integrate naturally with knee shield half guard and collar-and-sleeve guard.
Why it stands out
- Lazy butterfly guard concept accessible to less athletic players
- Belt overhook grip system and whizzer/overhook attacks (guillotine, armbar, omoplata)
- Natural integration with knee shield half guard and collar-and-sleeve guard
- SLX transitions and triangle entries are well-covered
- Proven at IBJJF Grand Slam level against world champions including Erberth Santos and Muhammed Aly
Far more of a guard player in the sense that you can control people and defend the position rather than be all out attack like Marcelo plays Butterfly. Most people are likely to get more joy with Adam’s approach.
Daz2300, Sherdog Forums (Orange Belt)
Gi-centric focus means many grip sequences (lapel underhook, belt overhook) don’t translate directly to no-gi. For no-gi butterfly, Wardzinski’s own No Gi Butterfly Guard Rediscovered is the better pick, and Bodoni’s Forging The Guard covers modern no-gi angles more thoroughly. At 7+ hours, finishing all eight volumes takes discipline, though the progression is logical enough to study one volume at a time.
Gi players at any level who want a complete, structured butterfly guard system. Especially strong for hobbyists who find Marcelo Garcia’s style too athletically demanding.
you train primarily no-gi. The lapel and belt grip sequences won’t transfer. Get Bodoni or Marcelo instead.
Wardzinski’s Single Leg X Reimagined to extend the SLX transitions, or Brian Glick’s Under Pressure for half-butterfly depth.
The Complete Butterfly Guard
Marcelo GarciaTimeless butterfly concepts from the greatest butterfly guard player in grappling history. Shoulder clamp sweep, arm drags, X-guard transitions, and the Marcelotine guillotine in under 4 hours.
What it covers
Volume 1 covers butterfly fundamentals: hand and foot positioning, posture, elbow placement, basic sweep execution, and the kick spin back take. Volume 2 moves into Marcelo’s favourite attacks: the “blast” (getting underneath the opponent), reverse armlock, Marcelotine guillotine, and overhook/underhook sweeps. Volume 3 addresses advanced mechanics: distance control, grip work, posture breaking, push-pull dynamics, and the famous shoulder clamp sweep from ADCC. Volume 4 handles butterfly guard against standing opponents, including shin-on-shin guard, double leg takedowns, and pressure defense.
The teaching approach is concepts-first. Marcelo explains the “why” behind every grip and angle choice rather than giving rigid step-by-step flowcharts. Kenny Florian summarized Marcelo’s core principle well: you make it impossible for them to post because you become the floor.
Why it stands out
- Shoulder clamp sweep is one of the most famous techniques in grappling history
- Marcelotine guillotine setup from butterfly is a legitimate submission threat
- Push-pull dynamics explained clearly for the first time on instructional
- Covers butterfly vs. standing opponents, a gap in many competing sets
- Timeless concepts validated over 5 World Championships and 4 ADCC titles
Nobody, even Marcelo himself, has ever issued a better instructional on the butterfly guard.
BJJ World (review staff)
The constant-attack, scramble-based style is genuinely hard for many hobbyists to implement. Multiple Sherdog users report struggling with it. Zankou (Sherdog Senior Moderator) notes that most gyms aren’t structured to support Marcelo’s style. At 3.5 hours it’s shorter than Wardzinski’s 7+ hour set, covering less total ground. Less gi-specific grip work than Wardzinski. Avoid the separate “Marcelo Guard: Mastering The Butterfly Guard” release, which is a sampler, not a deep dive.
Athletic, aggressive grapplers at purple belt and above who thrive on constant attacking. Wrestlers transitioning to BJJ will find Marcelo’s hand-fighting and explosive style natural.
you want a structured, step-by-step system. Wardzinski is more methodical. Also avoid if you’re a pure beginner looking for guided progressions.
Marcelo’s X-Guard instructional to extend the butterfly-to-X-guard transitions, or Jon Satava’s Modern Butterfly Guard for Marcelo’s concepts explained with clearer structure.
Forging The Guard: Mastering The Foundations of Butterfly Guard
Giancarlo BodoniADCC gold medalist no-gi butterfly system. Sumi gaeshi, hip-heist sweeps, arm drag chains, and bodylock pass defense with direct transitions into ashi garami entries.
What it covers
The first two volumes establish pressure concepts and push-pull mechanics from the seated guard position. Volumes 3-4 cover sumi gaeshi variations and hip-heist sweeps as the two primary directional attacks. Volumes 5-6 build arm drag chains into upper body submissions (guillotine, head-arm choke). The final two volumes address bodylock pass defense from butterfly (critical for modern no-gi) and leg entry fallbacks into SLX and ashi garami.
Bodoni’s teaching keeps mechanics simple for faster adoption. Rather than Marcelo’s concepts-heavy approach, Bodoni codifies explicit push-pull rules: if they pressure, sumi gaeshi; if they pull back, hip-heist or arm drag. Connections to his broader Forging The Guard ecosystem (half guard, DLR, clamp, wrestle ups) are referenced but the butterfly volume works standalone.
Why it stands out
- Bodylock pass defense from butterfly addresses the biggest modern no-gi threat
- Explicit push-pull directional rules simplify decision-making
- Leg entry transitions (SLX, ashi garami) are woven in naturally
- Options against both kneeling and standing opponents
- ADCC 2022 gold medal credentials validate the system at the highest level
Connects his clamp, guillotine, and leg threats together with teaching that keeps mechanics simple for faster adoption.
Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (Wrestle Ups companion review)
Newer release with less community feedback compared to Marcelo (decades of validation) or Wardzinski (multiple versions refined over years). Primarily no-gi focused, so gi players should look at Wardzinski instead. The Forging The Guard series is spread across many separate purchases (butterfly, half, DLR, clamp, wrestle ups), while Wardzinski covers more in a single purchase. No standalone BJJ World review of the butterfly volume specifically yet.
No-gi competitors at intermediate level who want a modern, systematic butterfly guard with explicit decision rules and leg lock integration.
you train primarily in the gi. Wardzinski’s system covers gi-specific grips that Bodoni doesn’t address.
Bodoni’s Forging The Guard: Ashi Garami to finish the leg entries, or his Wrestle Ups set to add the stand-up transitions.
Under Pressure: Half Butterfly Mastery
Brian GlickThe best half butterfly instructional available. Danaher-lineage systematic approach with sumi gaeshi, pinch headlock, choi bar, and leg entries in an explicit decision-tree format built for older and smaller practitioners.
What it covers
Volume 1 establishes why half butterfly works as a position, with entries and basic maintenance. Volume 2 covers sumi gaeshi overhead sweeps and pinch headlock series. Volume 3 addresses leg locks on both the near and far leg, plus pass prevention against body lock and knee cut passes. Volume 4 adds pin escapes to half butterfly recovery and advanced attacks.
The teaching format is an explicit decision tree: if they post this hand, you attack the pinch headlock; if they sprawl, you transition to leg entries; if they drive forward, you hit sumi gaeshi. The choi bar (unique to Glick’s system) adds a submission detail not found in competing instructionals. An executive summary at the end compresses the entire system for faster drilling.
Why it stands out
- Explicit decision-tree format makes the system immediately actionable
- Choi bar details not found in any competing instructional
- Designed specifically for practitioners who lack athleticism or size
- Executive summary compresses the system for drilling
- Danaher lineage brings principle-driven, systematic thinking
This is not just some empty-promise instructional bundle…it’s a true goldmine of information on building a super guard.
Ognen Dzabirski, BJJ World (9.5/10 for the Under Pressure bundle)
Covers half butterfly only, not full butterfly guard. If you want a complete seated butterfly system, get Wardzinski or Marcelo first and circle back here. The full benefit requires buying the 3-set Under Pressure bundle (~$200+). Gordon Ryan’s guard system covers similar territory with more competition footage, though Glick is simpler and more actionable as community reviewers note.
Older practitioners, smaller grapplers, and anyone who values leverage and timing over explosiveness. Also strong for anyone already playing half guard who wants to add butterfly elements.
you want a complete butterfly guard system. This covers half butterfly specifically. Start with Wardzinski or Marcelo for the full position.
Wardzinski’s Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 for the full butterfly complement, or Glick’s own Guard Retention and Leg Lock Under Pressure sets for the complete bundle.
The Butterfly Guard System
Rafael Formiga BarbosaOld-school butterfly guard from one of the position’s pioneers. Classic sweep variations, gi-specific grip work, and competition-tested sequences from decades of Masters competition at a budget price point.
What it covers
Formiga covers a complete butterfly guard system with classic butterfly sweep variations from multiple angles (overhook, underhook, collar grip). The set includes X-guard transitions, arm drag series, guillotine and submission setups from butterfly, and pass defense with guard retention. What Formiga brings is the old-school perspective of a genuine butterfly guard pioneer who competed at the highest levels for decades.
Why it stands out
- Authentic instruction from one of butterfly guard’s original pioneers
- Technically superb set-ups and finishes refined over decades of Masters competition
- Budget-friendly price point (often under $50 on sale)
- Gives historical context to the position that newer instructionals lack
An old-school grappler who knows all about the butterfly guard, from both an original and a modern perspective. Technically the set-ups and finishes are superb.
BJJ World (Best Butterfly Guard Instructionals roundup)
BJJ World notes that conceptually, less depth is offered compared to Marcelo Garcia or the systematic structure of Wardzinski. Older production quality compared to Bodoni or Wardzinski 3.0. Gi-only focus with no modern leg lock integration. At just 1.5 hours, significantly shorter than competing sets. Wardzinski’s Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 covers more content for a similar or lower sale price.
Budget-conscious gi players who want solid fundamentals from an authentic source. Masters and Senior competitors will appreciate Formiga’s lifetime of butterfly guard refinement.
you want a modern, comprehensive system. Wardzinski covers more volume with better production quality. No-gi players should skip this entirely.
Wardzinski’s Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 for the modern system upgrade, or Vitor Ribeiro’s Make My Day Butterfly Guard for another classic perspective. Cheaper alternative: at ~$47, Formiga is already the budget pick. No cheaper butterfly-specific option exists on BJJ Fanatics.
The Butterfly Half Guard
Tom DeBlassThe pioneering butterfly half guard instructional from the coach who trained Gary Tonon and Gordon Ryan early in their careers. Ashi garami entries, front headlock series, and a full private lesson bonus.
What it covers
Volume 1 establishes the butterfly half guard position: what it is, basic positioning, and initial attacks on the far arm. Volume 2 covers ashi garami entries based on kuzushi (off-balancing) principles, sweeps, and hip control. Volume 3 is where it gets interesting: front headlock series, kimuras, triangles, omoplatas, and guard retention against over-under and pressure passes. Volume 4 is a full private lesson with black belt Michael Zenga that ties everything together.
The key benefit of butterfly half guard is that it makes smash passing nearly impossible while opening leg lock and back take threats. DeBlass pioneered instruction on this hybrid position before it became a meta staple.
Why it stands out
- Pioneering instructional on the butterfly half guard hybrid position
- Ashi garami entries from bottom based on kuzushi principles
- Full private lesson included as a rare bonus
- Makes smash passing nearly impossible from the position
- Coached Gary Tonon and Gordon Ryan during their development
If you do not own a Tom DeBlass DVD so far, you’re not fit to call yourself a grappler.
BJJ World (5/5 rating)
The butterfly half guard meta has evolved significantly since this 2018 release. Brian Glick’s Under Pressure covers similar territory with more modern details and a Danaher-lineage systematic approach. Less competition validation at the highest levels compared to Marcelo (5x World/4x ADCC) or Wardzinski (IBJJF Grand Slam). Older production quality compared to newer releases.
Half guard players who want to add butterfly elements to their existing game. Good for gi practitioners looking for a pioneering perspective on the hybrid position.
you want the most current half butterfly instruction. Brian Glick’s Under Pressure is more refined and systematic. Also skip if you want a complete butterfly system rather than the hybrid half-butterfly position.
Brian Glick’s Under Pressure: Half Butterfly Mastery for the modern update, or Wardzinski’s Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 for the full seated butterfly complement.
All picks, side by side
Comparison tableSwipe sideways for details · the price column stays pinned →
| # | Instructional | Instructor | Runtime | Level | Format | Category | Tier | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 | Adam Wardzinski | 7h 22m across 8 volumes | All levels, especially gi-focused players | Gi (principles apply to no-gi) | Gi butterfly guard system | $$ | Check price → |
| 2 | The Complete Butterfly Guard | Marcelo Garcia | 3h 41m across 4 volumes | Intermediate to advanced | Both gi and no-gi applicable | Concepts-based butterfly guard | $$ | Check price → |
| 3 | Forging The Guard: Mastering The Foundations of Butterfly Guard | Giancarlo Bodoni | 6h 51m across 8 volumes | Intermediate competitors | No-gi | Modern no-gi butterfly guard | $$ | Check price → |
| 4 | Under Pressure: Half Butterfly Mastery | Brian Glick | 4h 51m across 4 volumes | All levels, especially older/smaller players | Both gi and no-gi applicable | Half butterfly system | $$ | Check price → |
| 5 | The Butterfly Guard System | Rafael Formiga Barbosa | ~1h 36m across 2 volumes | All levels, especially Masters/Senior competitors | Gi-focused | Budget / classic gi butterfly | $ | Check price → |
| 6 | The Butterfly Half Guard | Tom DeBlass | ~3-4h across 4 volumes | All levels | Gi-focused (concepts transfer to no-gi) | Pioneer butterfly half guard | $ | Check price → |
Why these 3?
Why these 3?
Why these 3?
These three picks each dominate a different butterfly guard niche:
- Wardzinski (#1) earns the top spot for the most comprehensive gi butterfly system available. BJJ World gave his original set 5/5, and 3.0 expands it to 8 volumes covering steering wheel sweeps, lazy butterfly, half-butterfly, and SLX transitions. On Sherdog, Daz2300 explains that Wardzinski’s approach fits most hobbyists better than Marcelo’s because it emphasizes multiple control points and distance management rather than explosive athleticism.
- Marcelo Garcia (#2) is the GOAT. Five World Championships, four ADCC titles, and the shoulder clamp sweep that changed butterfly guard forever. BJJ World called his set the single best butterfly guard instructional ever released. He takes the #2 spot only because his constant-attack style is harder for hobbyists to implement, as multiple Sherdog users like Solidus Snake and nefti have reported.
- Bodoni (#3) takes the no-gi slot as an ADCC gold medalist whose Forging The Guard system connects butterfly to sumi gaeshi, arm drags, guillotines, and ashi garami entries. His mechanical teaching style makes adoption fast, and the bodylock pass defense coverage addresses the biggest threat to modern butterfly guard players.
Each remaining review below targets a specific butterfly guard angle or budget, so you can find the right fit regardless of format, experience, or price.
Which Butterfly Guard Instructional Fits Your Game?
Answer a few questions to find the right butterfly guard instructional for your game.
Pricing & Deals
BJJ Fanatics runs daily deals that can drop prices by 50-80%. If an instructional isn’t on sale today, add it to your wishlist and check back.
| Instructional | Volumes | Runtime | Format | List Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wardzinski 3.0 | 8 | 7h 22m | Gi | $149 |
| Marcelo Garcia | 4 | 3h 41m | Both | $149 |
| Bodoni Forging BG | 8 | 6h 51m | No-Gi | $197 |
| Glick Half Butterfly | 4 | 4h 51m | Both | $197 |
| Formiga System | 2 | 1h 36m | Gi | $47 |
| DeBlass Butterfly Half | 4 | ~3-4h | Gi | $77 |
Butterfly Guard Glossary
- Butterfly Guard: Seated guard position with both feet hooked inside the opponent’s thighs, using the instep as a lever for sweeps and off-balancing.
- Butterfly Sweep (Hook Sweep): The fundamental sweep using one butterfly hook to elevate and tip the opponent sideways, typically with an underhook or overhook on the same side.
- Lazy Butterfly: Adam Wardzinski’s variation where you recline slightly with cross collar and sleeve grips, creating a hybrid between butterfly and collar-and-sleeve guard.
- Steering Wheel Sweep: Wardzinski’s signature sweep using a belt grip and overhook to rotate the opponent like a steering wheel.
- Shoulder Clamp Sweep: Marcelo Garcia’s ADCC-famous sweep where you clamp the opponent’s shoulder and use butterfly hooks to elevate, preventing them from posting.
- Sumi Gaeshi: An overhead sweep from butterfly position where you sacrifice position to throw the opponent over you, landing in top position.
- Half Butterfly: A hybrid position with one leg in half guard and the other as a butterfly hook. Offers more control than full butterfly while maintaining sweep threats.
- SLX (Single Leg X): A transitional guard position where your legs entangle one of the opponent’s legs, commonly entered from butterfly guard.
- Choi Bar: A unique submission detail from Brian Glick’s system, targeting the arm from half butterfly position.
- Marcelotine: Marcelo Garcia’s signature guillotine variation, commonly set up from butterfly guard after an arm drag or failed sweep attempt.
- Kuzushi: Japanese term for off-balancing. In butterfly guard, kuzushi is the initial displacement that makes sweeps work, created through grip manipulation and hook elevation.
FAQ
Which butterfly guard instructional is best for beginners?
Adam Wardzinski’s Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0 is the best starting point. It builds from fundamental sweep mechanics through a structured progression, and the lazy butterfly concept works for practitioners who lack athleticism or explosive hip movement. Multiple Sherdog reviewers confirm that Wardzinski’s approach sticks faster than Marcelo Garcia’s more advanced style.
Wardzinski or Marcelo Garcia: which should I buy?
If you train gi and want a methodical, step-by-step system: Wardzinski. If you train no-gi, prefer an aggressive scramble-based style, or have a wrestling background: Marcelo Garcia. Most hobbyists will find more success with Wardzinski because his system emphasizes control and multiple grip points. Marcelo’s approach requires constant attacking and an athletic mindset that many recreational players struggle with.
What is the best no-gi butterfly guard instructional?
Giancarlo Bodoni’s Forging The Guard: Butterfly Guard is the best modern no-gi option. He won ADCC gold in 2022 and his system addresses bodylock pass defense, which is the biggest threat to butterfly guard in no-gi. Marcelo Garcia’s Complete Butterfly Guard also works well for no-gi but uses a more concepts-heavy, less systematic approach.
Is half butterfly guard worth learning separately?
Yes. Half butterfly gives you more control than full butterfly while maintaining sweep and leg entry threats. Brian Glick’s Under Pressure is the best instructional for it, especially for older or smaller practitioners. BJJ World gave his bundle a 9.5/10 rating. If you already play half guard, adding the butterfly hook multiplies your attacking options.
Do BJJ Fanatics instructionals go on sale?
Yes, frequently. BJJ Fanatics runs daily deals that can cut prices by 50-80%. Add instructionals to your wishlist and check back regularly. Most of the sets reviewed here have appeared at steep discounts within any 30-day period.
Can I learn butterfly guard from instructionals alone?
Instructionals give you the knowledge, but you need mat time to develop timing and feel. The best approach: watch a volume, drill the key techniques that session, and review the material before your next class. Wardzinski and Glick both structure their content in a way that supports this study-then-drill cycle.
Still deciding on a butterfly guard instructional?
If you only buy one and train gi, make it Adam Wardzinski’s Butterfly Guard Rediscovered 3.0: the most comprehensive system at the best value. Training no-gi? Giancarlo Bodoni’s Forging The Guard is the modern pick. BJJ Fanatics runs daily deals that can drop prices 50-80%, so check the current price before you commit.
