Alias · Guard
Passing butterfly
Also known as Top Butterfly Guard — the canonical term used on this site.
Top-position context for the butterfly pass
Passing butterfly is the top-position name for the configuration in which the passer engages the bottom player’s butterfly guard from above — the passer’s perspective and tactical context for working through the butterfly’s leverage.
Etymology. “Passing” specifies the offensive intent (passing the guard); “butterfly” attaches the target-position name. The compound predominates in instructional contexts that frame the position from the top-passing perspective.
Mechanics. The passer’s task is destabilising the inserted butterfly hooks before any guard-pass attempt — the hooks provide the bottom player’s leverage, and breaking that leverage opens pass options.
Cross-reference. “Butterfly top” is the alternate name. Full mechanical coverage on Top Butterfly.