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Float Passing Position Top | BJJ Position Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202516 min read

Float Passing Position Top

bjjpositionguard-passingtop-positionintermediate

State Description

Float Passing Position Top is an offensive guard passing position where the practitioner maintains constant downward pressure toward the opponent’s hips while controlling their legs to prevent guard recovery. This position represents a transitional control state between open guard top and completed pass, characterized by low chest positioning and sustained pressure application that limits the bottom player’s defensive options.

The float passing position creates strategic advantages through pressure-based control that forces the opponent into reactive defensive mode while the passer methodically advances toward side control or other dominant positions. The sustained pressure prevents guard recovery while creating multiple passing direction opportunities - knee slice, leg drag, smash pass, or back step variations.

This position is most effective against defensive guard players and works well when combined with grip control on the opponent’s pants or legs. The main disadvantage is the energy cost of maintaining sustained pressure and vulnerability to strong defensive frames if pressure quality decreases. Float passing excels in gi-based training where pants grips enhance control, though no-gi variations remain viable with proper technique adaptation.

Visual Description

You are positioned on top with your weight distributed heavily toward the opponent’s hips and lower body, chest low and parallel to the mat. Your hands control the opponent’s legs, hips, or pants with firm grips preventing guard recovery. Your knees are positioned strategically - often one knee posted near opponent’s hip while the other leg provides base stability. Your head is low, often near opponent’s chest or shoulder level, maximizing downward pressure vector effectiveness.

The opponent is on their back with their guard open or partially controlled, struggling to maintain defensive frames or create enough space to recover closed guard. Your pressure pins them to the mat while your grip control limits their leg movement and guard restructuring attempts. The spatial relationship creates a pressure hierarchy where your bodyweight advantage is maximized through positioning rather than strength alone.

This creates significant positional advantages through sustained pressure that accumulates defensive fatigue while your controlled approach maintains energy efficiency and multiple passing direction options based on opponent’s defensive reactions.

Key Principles

  • Sustained Hip Pressure: Maintain constant downward pressure toward opponent’s hips using bodyweight positioning rather than muscle tension
  • Low Chest Position: Keep chest low and close to opponent to maximize pressure effectiveness and prevent frame insertion
  • Grip Control Priority: Secure and maintain grips on opponent’s legs or pants to prevent guard recovery throughout passing sequence
  • Base Adaptation: Adjust base width and configuration based on opponent’s defensive reactions - wider for stability, narrower for mobility
  • Multiple Direction Threat: Maintain ability to pass in multiple directions (knee slice, leg drag, smash, back step) forcing opponent to defend all simultaneously
  • Pressure Quality Over Quantity: Focus on efficient bodyweight positioning rather than muscular force to create sustainable pressure
  • Reading Defensive Reactions: Feel opponent’s defensive movements and commit to passing direction based on their reactions rather than predetermined plan

Offensive Transitions

From this position, you can execute:

Guard Passes

  • Knee Slice Pass → Side Control Top (Success Rate: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 75%)

    • Drive knee across centerline while maintaining hip pressure and head control

  • Leg Drag Pass → Side Control Top (Success Rate: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 70%)

    • Control far leg and drag to side while circling head to opposite side for control

  • Smash Pass → Side Control Top (Success Rate: Beginner 50%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 80%)

    • Apply maximum pressure to collapse defensive frames and grind through to side control

  • Back Step → North-South (Success Rate: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%)

    • Step over opponent’s legs and circle to north-south position avoiding guard recovery

Position Consolidation

Submissions

  • Guillotine Setup → Guillotine Control (Success Rate: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 30%, Advanced 45%)
    • Wrap neck when opponent attempts to reguard by elevating head toward you

Defensive Responses

When opponent has this position against you, available counters:

Decision Tree

If opponent establishes strong frames with extended arms:

  • Execute Smash Pass → Side Control Top (Probability: 65%)
    • Reasoning: Heavy sustained pressure collapses extended arm frames which lack structural integrity
  • Or Execute Back Step → North-South (Probability: 50%)
    • Reasoning: Circle around frames rather than fighting through them directly

Else if opponent’s legs are extended or disengaged:

Else if opponent attempts to reguard by elevating hips:

Else (balanced opponent with neutral guard):

Expert Insights

John Danaher: The float passing position represents optimal application of pressure passing principles where sustained directional force creates cumulative defensive fatigue while the passer maintains multiple passing vectors simultaneously. The key is understanding that pressure quality derives from efficient bodyweight positioning rather than muscular force - the chest must stay low, hips heavy on opponent’s lower body, creating downward vector that prevents guard recovery. Systematically, float passing integrates with headquarters position as interim control point, creating structured progression from open guard control to passing completion. The position exemplifies how proper mechanics enable smaller practitioners to pass larger opponents through leverage and positioning rather than strength.

Gordon Ryan: In competition, float passing is one of my highest percentage approaches because it puts maximum pressure on opponent while I maintain control and energy efficiency. The key is not just maintaining pressure but reading their defensive reactions and choosing the right passing direction based on what they give you. When they frame hard, smash through. When legs extend, drag them. When they try to come up, guillotine them. The position is so effective because it creates decision fatigue - they have to defend everything simultaneously while I’m comfortable and methodical. I’ll hold this position as long as needed, letting the pressure accumulate until the pass opens up naturally rather than forcing it prematurely.

Eddie Bravo: Float passing integrates beautifully with modern passing systems, especially when combined with 10th Planet concepts of creating pressure-based dilemmas for opponents. I emphasize to students that this isn’t just about being heavy - it’s about creating a pressure hierarchy where every defensive movement they make opens a different passing angle. The position works particularly well in no-gi when modified with overhooks and head control instead of pants grips. What makes float passing special is its adaptability - you can flow between pressure-based smash passing and more dynamic leg drag sequences seamlessly, keeping opponent off-balance mentally as well as physically. The guillotine threat when they try to come up is money.

Common Errors

Error: Standing too upright reducing pressure effectiveness

  • Consequence: Upright posture eliminates the downward pressure vector that prevents guard recovery and makes frames more effective. Opponent can easily push you away or reestablish guard structure without facing sustained pressure. Your passing advantages evaporate and energy expenditure increases trying to maintain control without proper positioning.
  • Correction: Keep chest low and parallel to mat, weight distributed heavily toward opponent’s hips. Think “chest to their chest, hips on their hips” maintaining constant downward pressure through positioning rather than muscle. Your head should be near their chest level, not elevated above.
  • Recognition: If opponent easily creates space with frames or if you feel like you’re working hard to maintain position without progress, you’re likely too upright. Your perspective should be looking down at them from close range, not from standing height.

Error: Overcommitting to one passing direction without control

  • Consequence: Committing fully to knee slice or leg drag before establishing sufficient control allows opponent to defend specifically against that one attack rather than multiple threats. This reduces success probability significantly and creates energy-wasting failed passing attempts that give opponent confidence and opportunities to counter.
  • Correction: Establish strong float pressure first with secure grips and hip control before committing to specific passing direction. Read opponent’s defensive reaction and choose passing direction based on what they give you, not predetermined plan. Maintain option to switch directions mid-sequence.
  • Recognition: If your passing attempts are consistently defended or if you find yourself fighting hard against specific defensive responses, you’re committing too early. Successful float passing feels methodical and reactive rather than forceful and predetermined.

Error: Neglecting grip control allowing easy guard recovery

  • Consequence: Without secure grips on opponent’s legs or pants, they can freely manipulate their leg position to recover guard structure. Your pressure becomes ineffective because they can move their legs around your control attempts, recreating closed guard or strong open guard configurations that reset the passing sequence.
  • Correction: Establish and maintain strong grips on pants at knees or ankles (in gi) or control legs through overhooks and underhooks (no-gi). These grips prevent leg manipulation and guard recovery. Fight for grip dominance before advancing passing attempts, and reset grips if broken.
  • Recognition: If opponent easily recovers guard repeatedly or if their legs feel “free” to move despite your pressure, your grip control is insufficient. You should feel like you’re controlling their leg movement throughout the passing sequence.

Error: Static pressure without adapting to defensive movements

  • Consequence: Maintaining unchanging pressure while opponent dynamically adjusts their defensive positioning creates stalemate or allows effective defense. Static approach allows opponent to establish optimal defensive structure because you’re not forcing them to constantly readjust, giving them time to create strong frames and guard recovery setups.
  • Correction: Adapt pressure direction and intensity based on opponent’s movements. When they push, drive into them. When they create space, follow and maintain connection. Constantly make micro-adjustments to pressure angle and grip positions based on their defensive reactions, creating continuous defensive problem-solving rather than allowing static defensive structures.
  • Recognition: If you feel stuck in position making no progress despite applying pressure, you’re being too static. Effective float passing creates constant feeling of pressure variation and directional changes that prevent opponent from settling into comfortable defensive position.

Error: Narrow base creating sweep vulnerability

  • Consequence: Narrow base makes you unstable and vulnerable to sweeps, particularly when opponent inserts butterfly hooks or creates off-balancing leverage. Your passing attempts become compromised because you must focus on balance maintenance rather than pressure application and advancement. Single sweep success can reverse all positional advantages.
  • Correction: Maintain wide base with knees spread appropriately for stability while applying pressure. When opponent attempts sweeps or creates lifting leverage, immediately widen base further and lower center of gravity. Base width should adapt to threat level - wider when stability needed, slightly narrower when advancing with control.
  • Recognition: If you feel unstable or if opponent’s lifting attempts or sweeps feel threatening, your base is too narrow. You should feel rooted and stable even when opponent creates movement or pressure from below.

Training Drills

Drill 1: Float Pressure Maintenance with Increasing Resistance

Start in float passing position with partner providing 0% resistance, simply maintaining position below. Focus on establishing proper chest position (low), hip pressure (heavy toward their hips), and grip control. Hold position for 30 seconds maintaining pressure quality. Gradually increase resistance: 25% (partner creates minor movements), 50% (partner attempts frames and hip escapes), 75% (partner actively defends with strong frames), 100% (full defensive resistance). At each level, focus on maintaining pressure quality without increase in your energy expenditure - efficiency through positioning rather than force. Common mistake is standing up when resistance increases - maintain low chest position throughout. 5 rounds of 2-minute holds at varying resistance levels.

Drill 2: Passing Direction Selection Based on Defense

Start in float passing position with controlled pressure established. Partner provides specific defensive responses on coach’s call: “frames” (establish strong pushing frames), “pull” (attempt to pull guard closed), “extend” (extend legs to create distance). You must read the defense and execute appropriate passing response: frames = smash pass or back step, pull = guillotine setup or headquarters, extend = leg drag or knee slice. Focus on rapid recognition of defensive pattern and immediate passing direction selection. This develops the decision-making skill of reading reactions rather than forcing predetermined techniques. 10 rounds of 1-minute intervals with rotating defensive patterns.

Drill 3: Float Passing to Completion Flow

Start in open guard top. Establish float passing position, maintain control briefly, then complete pass to side control. Reset to open guard top and repeat continuously. Focus on smooth transitions between phases: entry to float, float maintenance, passing execution, side control establishment. Gradually increase speed and resistance through session. This develops the complete passing sequence as integrated flow rather than isolated components. Partner provides progressive resistance: cooperative (allows completion), moderate (defends but allows success), resistant (full defensive effort). 5-minute continuous flow rounds with 1-minute rest between.

Drill 4: Grip Fighting in Float Position

Start in float passing position with loose grip control. Both practitioners actively grip fight - you attempting to secure and maintain control grips on legs/pants, partner attempting to break grips and establish defensive grips. Focus on grip priority: controlling their legs more important than preventing their grips on you initially. When grip is broken, immediately re-establish rather than continuing with compromised control. This develops grip dominance essential for successful float passing. 3-minute rounds with 30-second rest, focusing on grip fighting intensity and proper re-grip technique.

Drill 5: Pressure Adaptation to Hip Escapes

Partner lies in bottom position and continuously performs hip escapes attempting to create space and recover guard. You maintain float passing position and pressure, following their hip movements while maintaining control. Focus on tracking their hips, keeping pressure connected throughout their movement, and preventing space accumulation. Common mistake is being “left behind” when they escape - you must move with them maintaining connection. This develops the ability to maintain pressure against dynamic defensive movement rather than static opponents. 5 rounds of 90 seconds with focus on connection maintenance.

  • Headquarters Position - Natural consolidation position from float passing when you need intermediate control before completing pass
  • Side Control Top - Most common ending position after successful pass completion from float position
  • North-South - Alternative passing completion through back step method avoiding guard recovery
  • Combat Base - Starting position often used before establishing float passing pressure
  • Open Guard Top - Initial position before establishing float passing control and pressure

Optimal Submission Paths

Fastest path to submission (opportunistic): Float Passing Position Top → Guillotine Setup → Won by Submission Reasoning: When opponent attempts to reguard by elevating hips toward you, their neck becomes exposed for immediate guillotine setup. This is opportunistic rather than systematic but represents fastest submission from this position when available. Success rate moderate (30-45%) depending on timing and opponent awareness.

High-percentage path (positional first): Float Passing Position Top → Knee Slice Pass → Side Control Top → Submission from Side Control → Won by Submission Reasoning: Complete the pass to establish dominant position first, then attack submissions from superior control position. This systematic approach has better overall success rates because side control provides more submission options with higher percentages than attacking from transitional passing position. Reflects position-before-submission philosophy.

Alternative passing path (pressure-based): Float Passing Position Top → Smash Pass → Side Control Top → Mount Transition → Submission from Mount → Won by Submission Reasoning: When opponent establishes strong frames, use smash passing to collapse their defensive structure then transition to mount for highest percentage submissions. This path takes longer but creates most dominant ending position when opponent’s defense is strong.

System-based path (Danaher approach): Float Passing Position Top → Headquarters Position → Systematic Pass Completion → Side Control Top → Positional Control → Submission Opportunity → Won by Submission Reasoning: Methodical progression through intermediate control positions before committing to final pass, minimizing risk and maximizing control throughout sequence. This reflects systematic passing philosophy where each position builds upon previous, creating high-percentage progression to dominant position before submission attempts.

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