11/08/2014 - Teaching | Butterfly Guard | Shin Trap Pass

Teaching #180
Artemis BJJ (Bristol Sports Centre), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 11/08/2014

We're moving on to passing butterfly this week: I therefore started with the butterfly pass I have been taught most often. I'm not sure of the name, but in the interests of being descriptive, I'll refer to it as the shin trap pass. I first learned this from Kev, a good few years ago now. Start by flattening them out: I'm sure there is a more refined way, but I just pummel for an underhook then drive my head into their chest. You aren't out of danger, as they can use their butterfly hooks to move you back and sit up again, but it gives you some time to work.

After you've driven them flat, wrap around the outside of their leg with your arm, so that their shin is in the crook of your elbow (I think the lower on their shin the better, in my experience). Secure that by gripping the top of their thigh, or their belt/gi if you can reach it. This should prevent them being able to lift your leg with their hook and it also means they can't try and re-hook under your leg as you move around for the pass.

On the side you've just blocked, kick your leg back to remove their hook. Re-insert that knee beside their other foot (so, their instep is next to the outside of your knee), meaning that you have both of your legs on their other shin. From here, there are quite a few different options: the two most basic I'm aware of are either sprawling back then walking around on your toes, or using your free hand to shove their knee down as you move to side control. It's worth experimenting to see which works best for you.
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Teaching Notes: I tried adding that flipping over the top headstand pass as a drill, to see if people were able to pick it up. I wasn't sure if it was overly advanced or too acrobatic, but as I later saw people giving it a shot in sparring, seems to work ok as a drill. :)

I stuck with butterfly drills in the warm-up: there were quite a few to get through. Having said that, I normally like to throw in some other positions, so perhaps should at least have the simple side control escape drill to start. Then again, it doesn't hurt to occasionally focus on just the one position in drilling. I should add in another drill for heavy hips, that's important for passing. I'll try adding that to the lifting drill, or maybe the kicking forward drill.

I also want to give the mid-air backstep drill a try on Wednesday: this is something Dónal has taught a few times, relating directly to the pass I want to teach. I feel like I could refine my approach to flattening them out too, as my method is a bit basic at the moment (just pummel for underhooks then shove your head into their chest). Something to think about. Writing 'pummel' reminds me that I could add a pummeling drill: it's more of a wrestling thing for working takedowns, but applicable here.