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BJJ Guard Passing - Complete Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202517 min read

BJJ Guard Passing: Complete Passing Techniques Guide

Guard passing is the essential skill that connects standing/bottom positions to dominant top control. Passing the guard scores 3 points in competition and establishes positional dominance. This comprehensive guide organizes all BJJ guard passes by style and strategic approach.

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Passing Philosophy

Guard passing is a chess match - reading your opponent’s defense and applying the right technique at the right moment.

Two Primary Passing Styles

1. Pressure Passing

  • Philosophy: Pin them down, exhaust them, pass slowly
  • Requires: Weight distribution, pressure, patience
  • Best against: Aggressive guard players
  • Energy cost: Medium
  • Example practitioners: Bernardo Faria, Lucas Lepri

2. Speed Passing

  • Philosophy: Move faster than they can react
  • Requires: Explosiveness, timing, agility
  • Best against: Slow guard players, larger opponents
  • Energy cost: High
  • Example practitioners: Gui Mendes, Cobrinha, Rafa Mendes

3. Hybrid Approach (Most Effective)

  • Mix pressure and speed
  • Read opponent’s defense
  • Switch between styles
  • Example practitioners: Gordon Ryan, Roger Gracie

Passing Principles

Universal Passing Concepts:

  1. Posture - Maintain strong posture (closed guard)
  2. Control - Control hips, legs, or grips
  3. Direction - Choose the path of least resistance
  4. Commitment - Finish the pass completely
  5. Base - Maintain balance throughout
  6. Pressure - Use weight strategically
  7. Consolidation - Secure side control/mount after passing

The Three Passing Stages

Stage 1: Guard Opening/Clearing

  • Break closed guard OR clear open guard legs
  • Control distance
  • Establish passing grips

Stage 2: The Pass Itself

  • Navigate past the legs
  • Control hips
  • Maintain pressure or speed

Stage 3: Consolidation

  • Secure side control
  • Establish control
  • Prevent reguarding

Critical Truth: Most failed passes happen in Stage 3 (not finishing/consolidating)

Pressure Passes

Pressure passes use weight, control, and grinding pressure to force the pass.

Smash Pass (Headquarters Pass)

Smash Pass - Fundamental pressure pass

  • From: Half Guard → To: Side Control
  • Success Rate: Very high with proper pressure
  • Complexity: Medium
  • Best Against: Active half guard players

Execution:

  1. Establish crossface (forearm across face)
  2. Underhook far side
  3. Drive shoulder pressure into face
  4. Flatten opponent
  5. Clear leg with knee slide
  6. Establish side control

Key Details:

  • Crossface is critical (blocks vision, controls head)
  • Shoulder pressure creates discomfort
  • Weight on their chest, not legs
  • Patient grinding pressure
  • Also called: Crossface pass

Variations:

  • Headquarters smash - From Headquarters Position
  • Double underhooks - Both arms under
  • Gi grips - Using collar and pants

Common Mistakes:

  • Rushing without establishing pressure
  • Weight too far back
  • Weak crossface
  • Not flattening opponent first

Stack Pass

Stack Pass - Folding pressure pass

  • From: Closed Guard/Open Guard → To: Side Control
  • Success Rate: High against flexible opponents
  • Complexity: Medium
  • Best Against: Bottom players with good guard retention

Execution:

  1. Control both legs (usually pants grips in gi)
  2. Drive forward, stacking opponent’s legs toward face
  3. Pin hips to ground with your weight
  4. Walk around legs to side
  5. Establish side control

Key Details:

  • Stack early before they extend legs
  • Weight drives down and forward
  • Walk around in arc
  • Keep pressure throughout
  • Can go to either side

Variations:

  • Double under stack - Both arms under legs
  • Leg pin stack - Pin legs to one side
  • Headquarters stack - From headquarters position

Common Mistakes:

  • Not stacking high enough
  • Releasing pressure mid-pass
  • Going straight instead of around
  • Poor weight distribution

Knee Cut Pass (Knee Slice)

Knee Cut Pass - Versatile pressure pass

  • From: Open Guard → To: Side Control
  • Success Rate: Very high (most common modern pass)
  • Complexity: Medium
  • Best Against: Most guard types

Execution:

  1. Control pants/leg and collar/sleeve
  2. Cut knee across their thigh (like slicing)
  3. Drive shoulder pressure
  4. Clear far leg with free hand
  5. Slide knee through
  6. Establish side control

Key Details:

  • Knee “cuts” across like a blade
  • Shoulder pressure on near side
  • Far leg must be controlled/cleared
  • Weight forward throughout
  • Works gi and no-gi

Transitional Position:

  • Knee Cut Position - Mid-pass control position
  • Critical checkpoint
  • Defend the underhook

Variations:

  • Long step - Step over leg first
  • Reverse knee cut - Cut other direction
  • Floating - Stay on toes, mobile
  • Heavy - Drop weight, grind

Common Mistakes:

  • Not controlling far leg (gets swept)
  • Cutting knee without shoulder pressure
  • Rushing before establishing control
  • Giving up the underhook

Body Lock Pass

Body Lock Pass - Control-based pressure pass

  • From: Open Guard → To: Side Control
  • Success Rate: High
  • Complexity: Low-Medium
  • Best Against: Aggressive guard players

Execution:

  1. Establish body lock (arms around torso)
  2. Stack or pressure forward
  3. Control hips completely
  4. Pass to either side
  5. Maintain body lock into side control

Key Details:

  • Lock hands behind back (gable or S-grip)
  • Chest-to-chest pressure
  • Nullifies leg attacks
  • Very controlling
  • Hard to counter once locked

Variations:

  • Over-under - One arm over, one under
  • High body lock - Arms higher on torso
  • Stacking body lock - Combine with stack

Common Mistakes:

  • Weak lock (poor grip)
  • Not driving pressure
  • Stopping movement mid-pass

Speed Passes

Speed passes use quick movements, timing, and explosiveness to pass before opponent reacts.

Toreando Pass (Bullfighter Pass)

Toreando Pass - Dynamic speed pass

  • From: Open Guard → To: Side Control
  • Success Rate: High with proper timing
  • Complexity: Medium
  • Best Against: Slow guard players

Execution:

  1. Control both pants/legs
  2. Push legs to one side
  3. Circle quickly to opposite side
  4. Land in side control or sprawl position
  5. Consolidate control

Key Details:

  • Push legs one way, pass the other
  • Quick circular motion
  • Stay on toes (mobile)
  • Timing and speed critical
  • Named after bullfighters moving cape

Variations:

  • X-pass - Crossing grip variation
  • Over-under toreando - One arm over, one under
  • Explosive toreando - Throw legs and jump

Common Mistakes:

  • Too slow (gives time to recover)
  • Not controlling legs fully
  • Landing without control
  • Poor balance

Leg Drag Pass

Leg Drag Pass - Back-exposure speed pass

  • From: Open Guard → To: Side Control or Back
  • Success Rate: Very high (modern competition staple)
  • Complexity: High
  • Best Against: Active guard players

Execution:

  1. Control one leg (ankle or pants)
  2. Drag leg across their body
  3. Back step and circle to back side
  4. Pass to side control or take back
  5. Establish control

Key Details:

  • Drag creates back exposure
  • Often leads to back take
  • Very dynamic
  • Requires good footwork
  • Grip fighting essential

Transitional Position:

Setup:

Variations:

  • High leg drag - Higher grip on leg
  • Low leg drag - Ankle grip
  • Step-over - Step over dragged leg

Common Mistakes:

  • Not controlling leg fully
  • Slow back step (gets swept)
  • Missing back take opportunity
  • Poor grip placement

Leg Weave Pass

Leg Weave Pass - Threading speed pass

  • From: Open Guard → To: Side Control
  • Success Rate: Medium-High
  • Complexity: Medium
  • Best Against: Spider guard, DLR

Execution:

  1. Thread arm between their legs
  2. Weave through guard
  3. Control far hip
  4. Circle to side
  5. Establish side control

Key Details:

  • Arm weaves between legs like threading needle
  • Control hip on far side
  • Quick movement required
  • Good against leg-based guards

Variations:

  • Reverse weave - Weave opposite direction
  • Double weave - Both arms thread
  • Headquarters weave - From headquarters position

Common Mistakes:

  • Getting triangle locked
  • Slow weave (gets swept)
  • Not controlling hips
  • Poor angle

Closed Guard Passes

Passing closed guard requires breaking the guard first, then passing.

The Three-Step Process

Step 1: Opening the Guard

  1. Establish strong posture (standing or combat base)
  2. Break grip control
  3. Create space between you and opponent
  4. Open the closed guard (various methods)

Step 2: Clearing the Legs

  1. Control opened legs
  2. Pin legs to ground or control distance
  3. Establish passing grips

Step 3: The Pass

  1. Choose pressure or speed pass
  2. Navigate past legs
  3. Establish side control

Standing Guard Break

Standing to Pass Closed Guard

  • From: Closed Guard → To: Open Guard → To: Pass
  • Complexity: Medium
  • Most common competitive approach

Execution:

  1. Stand up in closed guard
  2. Break guard open (push knees, control hips)
  3. Immediately start pass (toreando, leg drag, etc.)
  4. Complete pass to side control

Key Details:

  • Must control distance while standing
  • Prevent them from sitting up
  • Timing is critical
  • Choose pass before opening guard

Common Standing Passes:

  • Toreando from standing
  • Leg drag from standing
  • Stack from standing

Combat Base Passes

From Combat Base Position

  • Combat Base - One knee up, one knee down
  • Classic position for passing closed guard
  • More stable than standing

Common Passes:

  • Over-under pass - One arm over leg, one under
  • Double under pass - Both arms under legs
  • Knee cut - After opening guard

Half Guard Passes

Half guard is one of the most common positions to pass.

Smash Pass from Half Guard

Smash Pass - Primary half guard pass

  • From: Half Guard Top → To: Side Control
  • Success Rate: Very high
  • See detailed description in Pressure Passes section

Knee Cut from Half Guard

Knee Cut Pass from half guard

  • Similar to open guard knee cut
  • Clear trapped leg first
  • Slice knee through
  • Establish side control

Headquarters Position

Headquarters Position - Dominant passing position

  • Superior half guard top position
  • Knee on belly of trapped leg
  • Multiple passing options

From Headquarters:

  • Smash pass
  • Knee cut
  • Step over pass
  • Back take

Long Step Pass

Long Step - Advanced half guard pass

  • Step trapped leg over their leg
  • Face away temporarily
  • Circle back to side control
  • Technical and effective

Underhook Pass

Underhook Pass - Addressing underhook defense

  • Opponent has underhook (strong half guard)
  • Whizzer/overhook their underhook
  • Drive head to mat
  • Pass to opposite side
  • High-level technique

Passing Systems & Strategic Frameworks

Advanced passing requires systems, not just individual techniques.

The Pressure Passing System

Philosophy: Grind them down, exhaust their defenses

Core Techniques:

  1. Smash Pass
  2. Stack Pass
  3. Knee Cut Pass
  4. Body Lock Pass

System Flow:

  • Start with body lock or headquarters
  • Apply crossface and shoulder pressure
  • If they turn away: back take
  • If they try to reguard: knee cut
  • If they frame: stack
  • If they lockdown: headquarters to smash

Key Principle: Never stop pressure, switch between passes as they defend

The Speed Passing System

Philosophy: Move faster than they can react

Core Techniques:

  1. Toreando Pass
  2. Leg Drag Pass
  3. Leg Weave Pass

System Flow:

  • Control legs/grips
  • Read their weight distribution
  • Attack opening quickly
  • If one pass fails, immediately try another
  • Keep them on defensive

Key Principle: Constant movement, don’t let them settle

The Over-Under System (Faria System)

Named after: Bernardo Faria

Core Concept:

  • One arm over leg, one arm under leg
  • Maximum control
  • Pressure-based
  • Very difficult to defend

Positions:

  • Over-under from closed guard
  • Over-under from open guard
  • Over-under from half guard

Strength: Works against almost any guard with proper technique

Headquarters System

Headquarters Position - Control position for passing

Philosophy:

  • Control position before passing
  • Multiple pass options
  • Defensive security

From Headquarters:

  • Smash passes
  • Stack passes
  • Knee cuts
  • Back takes
  • Leg attacks

Key Advantage: Very hard to sweep from headquarters

Leg Drag System

Modern no-gi passing specialization

Core Components:

System Flow:

  • Establish leg drag grip
  • Drag leg across
  • Choose: pass to side OR take back
  • If they defend: opposite leg drag
  • If they turn: back take

Used By: Gordon Ryan, Garry Tonon, modern no-gi competitors

Countering Guard Types

Different guards require different passing approaches.

Passing Closed Guard

Best Approaches:

  • Standing passes (toreando, leg drag)
  • Double under pass
  • Over-under pass
  • Combat base to knee cut

Key: Open the guard first, pass immediately

Passing Open Guard (Butterfly, Spider, DLR)

Best Approaches:

  • Knee cut pass
  • Toreando pass
  • Leg drag pass
  • Leg weave pass

Key: Control grips and distance

Passing Half Guard

Best Approaches:

  • Smash pass
  • Long step pass
  • Knee cut pass
  • Headquarters system

Key: Control the underhook, flatten them

Passing Deep Half Guard

Best Approaches:

  • Crossface and walk around
  • Hip switch
  • Leg weave
  • Back step

Key: Don’t let them under you, control crossface

Passing X-Guard / Single Leg X

Best Approaches:

  • Step back and disengage
  • Pressure pass through
  • Sprawl and backstep

Key: Break the X connection, control posture

Passing Leg Entanglements (50/50, Ashi)

Best Approaches:

  • Leg extraction
  • Counter leg attacks
  • Saddle pass
  • Disengage and restart

Key: Prevent heel hooks, control position

Learning Path by Skill Level

White Belt Fundamentals (Basic Passes)

Must-Learn Passes:

  1. Knee Cut Pass - First pass to master

    • Works against most guards
    • Gi and no-gi
    • Practice: Slow, controlled reps
    • Goal: Understand weight distribution

  2. Smash Pass from half guard

    • Most common half guard pass
    • Teaches pressure concepts
    • Practice: From combat base, establish crossface

  3. Standing toreando basics

    • Introduction to speed passing
    • Control legs, push and pass
    • Practice: Footwork and timing

  4. Double under pass from closed guard

    • Classic closed guard pass
    • Teaches stacking
    • Practice: Stack height and control

  5. Basic passing principles

    • Posture
    • Control
    • Base
    • Pressure
    • Practice: Positional sparring

White Belt Priority: Master knee cut - it’s the foundation

Blue Belt Development (System Building)

Develop complete passing approaches:

  1. Complete Knee Cut System

    • Long step variations
    • Reverse knee cut
    • Floating vs heavy
    • Practice: Chain with other passes

  2. Pressure Pass System

  3. Speed Pass System

  4. Half Guard Passing

    • Headquarters Position
    • Multiple passes from half
    • Underhook defense
    • Practice: Half guard specific passing

  5. Grip Fighting for Passing

    • Breaking grips
    • Establishing passing grips
    • Maintaining control
    • Practice: Grip fighting drills

Blue Belt Priority: Develop both pressure and speed systems

Purple Belt Advanced Technique

Master technical passing:

  1. Leg Drag Pass Mastery

    • Setup, execution, finish
    • Back take connections
    • Grip variations
    • Practice: Against purple+ guard players

  2. Headquarters System

    • Complete system
    • Multiple passes
    • Back takes
    • Practice: Establish and pass from headquarters

  3. Advanced Pressure Passing

    • Long step passes
    • Back step passes
    • Complex weight distribution
    • Practice: Against strong guard players

  4. Passing Specialty Guards

    • Deep half
    • X-guard
    • Leg entanglements
    • Practice: Specific guard passing drills

  5. Pass Chaining

    • If knee cut fails → toreando
    • If smash fails → back take
    • If toreando fails → leg drag
    • Practice: Flow between passes

Purple Belt Priority: Develop answers for every guard type

Brown/Black Belt Mastery

Complete passing mastery:

  1. Style Integration

    • Seamless pressure/speed mixing
    • Read opponent’s defense
    • Apply optimal pass for situation

  2. Advanced Systems

    • Bernardo Faria over-under system
    • Gordon Ryan headquarters system
    • Lachlan Giles leg drag system

  3. Opponent-Specific Passing

    • Analyze opponent’s guard
    • Exploit weaknesses
    • Adapt mid-pass

  4. Competition Passing Strategy

    • Point vs submission focus
    • Time management
    • Risk assessment

Passing Strategy & Tactics

Reading the Guard Player

Aggressive Guard:

  • Use pressure passing
  • Exhaust their movements
  • Counter their attacks

Defensive Guard:

  • Use speed passing
  • Don’t give time to set up
  • Move constantly

Long-Legged Opponent:

  • Stay close (minimize leg effectiveness)
  • Pressure passes
  • Control distance

Short/Stocky Opponent:

  • Stay at distance
  • Speed passes
  • Avoid being pulled in

Competition Passing

When Winning:

  • Safe, high-percentage passes
  • Don’t take risks
  • Consolidate after passing

When Losing:

  • Aggressive passing
  • Take calculated risks
  • Pass quickly for points

Against Lower Belt:

  • Pressure passing
  • Technical dominance
  • Teach while passing

Against Higher Belt:

  • Mix pressure and speed
  • Don’t be predictable
  • Learn from their defense

Common Passing Mistakes

Technical Errors

  1. Poor posture (closed guard)

    • Gets swept or submitted
    • Fix: Strong back, hips back

  2. Not controlling hips

    • Opponent reguards
    • Fix: Pin hips throughout pass

  3. Rushing

    • Lose control and position
    • Fix: Establish control at each stage

  4. Weak consolidation

    • Pass completed but position lost
    • Fix: Secure side control fully

  5. Predictable patterns

    • Always using same pass
    • Fix: Mix pressure and speed

Strategic Errors

  1. Fighting the strength

    • Attacking where they’re strongest
    • Fix: Pass to weak side

  2. Poor energy management

    • Exhausting yourself
    • Fix: Pressure pass conserves energy

  3. Not adapting

    • Forcing passes that don’t work
    • Fix: Switch between passes

Training Methods for Passing

Positional Passing Drills

Closed Guard Passing:

  • 3-minute rounds
  • Start in closed guard
  • Goal: Open and pass
  • Progressive resistance

Open Guard Passing:

  • Opponent pulls guard
  • Must pass within time limit
  • Focus on specific pass

Half Guard Passing:

  • Start in half guard top
  • Pass to side control
  • Opponent uses full resistance

Flow Passing

Light resistance passing:

  • Partner allows passing
  • Focus on technique, not force
  • Learn movement patterns
  • Build muscle memory

Competition Passing

Full resistance:

  • Opponent fights with 100%
  • Realistic timing
  • Strategic decision-making
  • Builds competition confidence

Solo Passing Drills

Without partner:

  • Footwork patterns
  • Knee cut angles
  • Sprawl movements
  • Grip fighting shadowboxing

Passing Defense (Guard Retention)

Understanding how to pass helps you defend passes:

Against Pressure Passes:

  • Create frames
  • Stay mobile
  • Recover guard actively
  • Don’t get flat

Against Speed Passes:

  • Control distance
  • Grip fight
  • Anticipate direction
  • Reguard immediately

Universal Defense:

  • Guard Retention system
  • Never stop moving
  • Frame and create angles
  • Leg pummeling

Using This Resource

Each guard pass page includes:

  • Starting Position - Guard type being passed
  • Ending Position - Where you finish (usually side control)
  • Step-by-Step Execution - Detailed passing mechanics
  • Success Rates - Effectiveness statistics
  • Key Details - Critical technical points
  • Common Counters - How opponents defend

Explore each pass to understand:

  1. When to use it
  2. Proper passing mechanics
  3. What to do if defended
  4. How to chain with other passes
  5. Position-specific details

The Passing Mindset

“Position before submission - and passing IS position.”

The guard pass is where matches are won:

  • In competition, most points come from passing
  • Dominant position begins with passing
  • Submissions come from passed guards

Your passing game should be:

  1. Systematic - Not random techniques
  2. Adaptable - Pressure AND speed
  3. Relentless - Never stop attacking
  4. Consolidating - Always finish the pass
  5. Strategic - Read and react to defense

Elite guard passers:

  • Never get frustrated
  • Mix multiple passing styles
  • Read defenses instantly
  • Consolidate completely
  • Create no-win scenarios for guard players

This hub page organizes all BJJ guard passes into a systematic framework. Master these passes to dominate from top position and score points consistently in competition.

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