Butterfly Ashigarami
Butterfly-hook entry into ashi-style entanglement — a seated path from butterfly into single-leg X and heel-hook systems.
Overview
Butterfly ashigarami blends a butterfly hook with an ashi-style figure-four on one of the opponent’s legs. It is a natural bridge from seated butterfly into single-leg X, outside ashi, and modern leg-lock offense when they step or post into your hooks.
Position Flow
How to Enter
- From butterfly, catch a stepping lead leg and convert the near hook into a figure-four
- Enter after a failed butterfly sweep when their knee plants inside your hooks
- Transition from shin-to-shin by elevating and locking the ashi on the trapped leg
How to Exit
- Single-leg X when you release the secondary butterfly and tighten the ashi
- Straight ankle lock once the foot is controlled and hips align
- Heel hook entries when rules allow and the heel exposes
- Saddle / outside ashi when they turn and both legs entangle
Key Controls
- Butterfly hook under the free or secondary leg to manage posture
- Figure-four / ashi on the primary trapped leg with hip connection
- Hand fight on the free ankle, sleeve, or knee to stop clears
Vulnerabilities
- Smash pass that flattens butterfly before the ashi locks
- Backstep clears that free the trapped knee
- Your own heel exposure if the free leg is neglected
Ideal When
You play butterfly and want a clean on-ramp into ashi and leg-lock systems without standing X-guard first.
OffenseOffense
Goals
- Pin the knee line of the trapped leg while the butterfly manages base
- Force a choice between giving elevation and defending the foot
Key Techniques
- Convert to single-leg X for classic ashi finishes
- Straight ankle lock from the butterfly-ashi alignment
- Heel hook when competition rules permit and secondary control is solid
Pro Tips
- Win the figure-four before hunting the heel
- Keep the butterfly hook alive until the ashi is real
Common Mistakes
- Crossing feet without hips under their weight
- Abandoning butterfly early and letting them knee-down smash
DefenseDefense
Goals
- Kill the butterfly elevation and free the trapped knee
- Hide the heel before rotational attacks start
Key Techniques
- Knee-down base with posture to flatten seated hooks
- Backstep or long-step once the figure-four loosens
- Hand fight to peel ashi control and reclaim the free leg
Pro Tips
- Address the butterfly hook and ashi together — fixing only one stalls
- Do not hop on one foot over a locked figure-four
Common Mistakes
- Pulling away and handing them cleaner ashi angle
- Reaching both hands to the trapped foot while losing posture
Variations
Butterfly to single-leg X conversionButterfly ashigarami to outside ashi / saddleGi collar-sleeve butterfly ashi with ankle control
Key Concepts
- Butterfly manages base; ashi isolates the finish leg
- Knee line first, foot second, finish third
- Treat this as a hub into SLX and saddle, not a single hold
Recommended Drills
- Butterfly to ashi figure-four inserts with cooperative stepping
- Conversion rounds into single-leg X without finishing
- Retention rounds where the passer only tries to knee-down and clear
Related Techniques
Summary
Butterfly ashigarami turns seated hooks into ashi control. Lock the figure-four on the stepping leg, keep the secondary butterfly honest, then exit to single-leg X, ankle lock, or heel-hook systems based on the ruleset.