Mastering the Baseball Choke from Butterfly Guard: Ricardo Cavalcanti's Expert Breakdown
In the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), the butterfly guard remains one of the most dynamic and versatile open guards. Pioneered by legends and refined by masters, it allows smaller grapplers to control larger opponents, off-balance them, and launch devastating attacks. Among these attacks, the baseball choke stands out as a sneaky, high-percentage submission that's brutally effective, especially in gi scenarios. Black belt world champion Ricardo Cavalcanti, a multiple-time ADCC medalist and head instructor at Gracie Barra, breaks it down in a crystal-clear manner.
This technique isn't just for pure BJJ rolls—it's gold for MMA fighters blending grappling with striking, wrestlers transitioning to submissions, and no-gi enthusiasts adapting gi grips. Whether you're prepping for a tournament, sharpening your game in the gym, or simply want to add a weapon to your arsenal, mastering this choke will elevate your guard retention and finishing ability. Let's dive into the step-by-step process, with tips to make it flow seamlessly in live training.
Understanding the Butterfly Guard Foundation
Before jumping into the choke, ensure your butterfly guard is rock-solid. From seated position facing your opponent in their stance:
- Hook both feet inside their thighs, toes out for maximum leverage.
- Grip their sleeves or pants at the knees to control posture.
- Keep your elbows tight to your body, spine straight, and head up to prevent guard passes.
This setup off-balances them forward, setting the trap for sweeps, arm drags, or—our focus today—the baseball choke. In MMA or no-gi, adapt by using underhooks or wrist control instead of deep gi grips, but the principles remain: elevation and distance management.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up the Baseball Choke
Ricardo emphasizes patience and precision. Rush it, and you'll get stacked or passed. Here's the full sequence:
1. Initiate Posture Break: With your butterfly hooks in, shrimp slightly to your side (say, left if you're right-handed dominant). Pull their sleeve across while framing their neck with your other hand. This forces their head down and arms to commit.
2. Slide the Grip In: As they posture or defend, feed your right arm (for right-side attack) deep under their left armpit, palm up. Your forearm snakes along their spine—think 'baseball bat' grip, hence the name. Secure the collar with your thumb inside, fingers out, gripping the back of their neck fabric.
3. Lock the Second Grip: Your left hand mirrors on the right side of their neck. But Ricardo's nuance: Start with a standard collar grip, then rotate your wrist to pinch the fabric against their carotid. Both elbows point skyward initially for leverage.
4. Elevate and Rotate: Kick hard with your butterfly hooks to lift their hips off the mat. Simultaneously, bridge your hips up and twist your torso counterclockwise (for right-side grip). This rolls them toward you, exposing the neck.
5. Finish with Squeeze: Drop your elbows to your ribs, chin to chest, and squeeze like you're crushing a can. Walk your hips higher if needed. Their tap comes quick as blood flow halts.
Common Mistakes and Pro Tips
Even seasoned grapplers botch this. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Grip Too Shallow: Ensure your knuckles dig into the neck—shallow grips slip under pressure.
- No Hip Elevation: Without the lift, it's just a hug. Practice solo drills: Lie on back, grip a towel around your neck, and bridge explosively.
- Static Hooks: Dynamically adjust hooks—open one to sweep if they base out.
Training Drills:
- Positional Sparring: Start in butterfly vs. standing posture. Only attack the choke.
- Flow Rolling: Chain it with arm drags or back takes for fluidity.
- Resistance Training: Have a partner slowly counter—builds timing.
Incorporate this into your MMA sessions: From butterfly, threaten the choke to bait takedown defense, then scramble or strike. Wrestlers love it post-shot for quick chokes.
Gear Essentials for Choking Techniques
Gi chokes shine with quality fabric. Invest in a durable BJJ gi from brands like Fuji, Tatami, or Origin—their pearl weave grips like iron without ripping. Pair with a supportive rash guard (Venum or Hayabusa) to protect your neck during rolls. For no-gi adaptations, slick grappling shorts and spats prevent slippage. Head to Apollo MMA for premium selections that withstand intense sessions.
Why This Works Across Combat Sports
- BJJ: Core submission from a high-control guard.
- MMA: Counters sprawls, transitions to mount.
- Wrestling/No-Gi: Grip breaks evolve into guillotines.
- Submission Grappling: Competition-proven at ADCC levels.
Keep grinding, stay technical, and choke smart!
---
