Maintenance: Switching Sides

Switching sides during the folding pass is crucial when the initial pressure and knee hug are ineffective, and the opponent begins to hip escape towards a full butterfly guard. Recognize the timing to switch sides and meld your weight around your partner, moving back just enough to adjust their hips.

1. When the opponent starts to hip escape and square their hips to the ceiling, move your chest away from their knee.
2. Apply a forearm hug with the inside or bottom-side arm while maintaining some weight on the opponent.
3. Release the hand on the belt and post your knuckles on the floor to avoid getting caught too deep.
4. Move your chest away slightly and transition the forearm hug to the other side.
5. Immediately close any gap created by the switch and apply a knee hug on the new side.
6. Continue to switch sides, getting deeper and closer to passing the guard with each transition.
7. Practice the timing and spacing of side switches with a partner who applies resistance by pushing on your shoulders and scooping their hips.
8. As you switch sides, also adjust the positioning of your head. Keep it on the inside surface of the opponent's body to prevent them from using butterfly hooks to off-balance you.

By mastering the timing and execution of switching sides, you can maintain control and progressively work towards passing the guard.