A proven, affordable butterfly starter with classic sweeps and useful counters.
The Bottom Line
You get bread-and-butter entries, ankle picks, and overhead options that still score. The counters to common passes make it practical for newer players. If you want a modern rules-led framework, look to Wardzinski or Bodoni.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Value seekers
Skip if: You need modern no-gi
Tech focus: Overhead Sweep, Ankle Pick, Duck Under, X Guard, Deep Half, Technical Standup, Torreando Counter
Biggest takeaway: Classics still sweep hard.
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What You'll Learn
Formiga’s classic two-volume set blends entries, ankle picks, overhead variants, and X/deep half links. The contents page lists twenty-plus chapters across two volumes, including counters to sidesmash, over-under, and torreando. The style is old-school butterfly with strong transitional ideas. Production is older but concepts still land for hobbyists, especially in gi rooms. At this price, it is a strong budget way to build a base.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Butterfly Entry
- Ankle Pick
- Overhead Sweep
- Breakdance Sweep
- Duck Under
- X Guard
- Deep Half Link
- Technical Standup
- 50/50 Entries
- Torreando Counter
Format & Level
- Instructional style: Technique Collection, System Based
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: Both
- Runtime: 1 hour and 36 minutes
- Volumes: 2
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I see this as the cheapest way to build a functional butterfly base.
Why Rafael Formiga Barbosa?
Rafael Formiga Barbosa is a respected black belt competitor and coach with a long history of effective butterfly and X-guard transitions. He is known for dynamic overhead sweeps and links to deep half. BJJ Heroes profiles his competitive achievements and coaching career. His instructional here reflects classic butterfly mechanics still used in gi rooms worldwide.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Praised for classic butterfly feel with clean overhead and ankle-pick options.
- Great value; easy buy during sales.
- Counters to sidesmash and over-under are still relevant.
- Good bridge into X guard and deep half.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Older production and pacing compared to modern sets.
- Less conceptual scaffolding than newer systems.
- Some sequences feel dated for pure no-gi meta.
Smart Alternatives
- Make My Day Butterfly Guard – Another classic butterfly perspective with crisp entries. (Price: $127.00, 4 vols)
Sources & References
Official listing: View The Butterfly Guard System on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
