Facing Shin-to-Shin Guard from the top position presents a unique set of challenges that require understanding both the mechanical vulnerabilities of the position and the strategic objectives of the guard player. The top player’s primary concern is the perpendicular shin connection that the bottom player establishes across their same-side shin, which creates leverage for off-balancing and sweep mechanics while simultaneously preventing straightforward forward pressure. Effective top play requires a systematic approach that addresses three interconnected elements: neutralizing or clearing the shin connection, preventing transitions to more dangerous positions like single leg X or full X-guard, and establishing dominant grips and positioning that allow effective passing sequences. The modern meta-game around shin-to-shin has evolved significantly, with top players developing sophisticated clearing strategies that exploit the position’s inherent weaknesses—primarily its reliance on a single point of lower body connection that can be systematically dismantled through proper pressure, angle changes, and grip fighting. Understanding the decision tree from top perspective is crucial: aggressive forward pressure invites butterfly or X-guard sweeps, passive standing allows the guard player to dictate engagement range and set up entries, while systematic clearing combined with upper body control creates the highest-percentage passing opportunities. The position rewards patient, technical passing that addresses the shin connection methodically while simultaneously preventing the guard player from establishing the upper body grips they need to maintain effective distance management. Advanced passers recognize that shin-to-shin is fundamentally a transitional position for the guard player, and the key to defeating it lies in preventing those transitions while the connection is being cleared rather than simply trying to pass through the connection itself.
Position Definition
- Top player maintains standing or combat base posture with weight distributed to prevent being swept while working to clear or neutralize the bottom player’s shin connection through systematic leg movements and pressure application
- Bottom player’s shin maintains contact across top player’s same-side shin, creating perpendicular connection that must be addressed before safe forward pressure can be applied, requiring top player to choose between clearing, circling, or accepting transitional positions
- Top player controls or contests upper body positioning through grips and frames to prevent bottom player from achieving dominant sleeve and collar grips that would enable effective distance management and sweep setups
- Top player maintains base and balance while navigating the off-balancing threats created by the shin connection, using careful weight distribution and movement patterns that minimize vulnerability to sweeps during clearing sequences
- The position remains in dynamic flux as top player works to systematically dismantle the guard structure while bottom player adjusts angles and pressure to maintain connection and create sweep or transition opportunities
Prerequisites
- Understanding of fundamental open guard passing concepts and principles of pressure distribution
- Recognition of shin-to-shin guard structure and its primary attack vectors (single leg X, X-guard, sweeps)
- Basic grip fighting skills to establish and maintain upper body control while preventing opponent’s distance management grips
- Footwork and base management skills to maintain balance while clearing leg connections
- Familiarity with combat base and standing passing positions as platforms for guard clearing
- Understanding of when to apply pressure versus when to create distance in open guard scenarios
Key Offensive Principles
- Establish dominant upper body grips before attempting to clear shin connection to prevent distance management
- Clear shin connection systematically through circling, stepping back, or controlled pressure rather than forcing through
- Maintain proper base and weight distribution to resist off-balancing attempts during clearing sequences
- Prevent transitions to single leg X and X-guard by controlling opponent’s hip positioning and leg placement
- Use pressure strategically to create passing opportunities while avoiding positions that invite sweeps
- Recognize when guard player is transitioning and intercept entry to more dangerous positions
- Combine shin clearing with immediate passing pressure to prevent guard re-establishment
Available Attacks
Knee Slice Pass → Headquarters Position
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Long Step Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Leg Drag Pass → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 48%
- Advanced: 62%
Stack Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 42%
- Advanced: 58%
Pressure Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 38%
- Intermediate: 52%
- Advanced: 68%
X Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 32%
- Intermediate: 48%
- Advanced: 63%
Knee Through → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 28%
- Intermediate: 44%
- Advanced: 60%
Smash Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent maintains strong shin connection with active pressure but has weak or contested upper body grips:
- Execute Knee Slice Pass → Headquarters Position (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Long Step Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
If opponent’s shin connection is weak or passive, allowing opportunity for immediate pressure:
- Execute Pressure Pass → Side Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Smash Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
If opponent attempts to transition to single leg X or extend leg for entry to leg entanglement:
- Execute Leg Drag Pass → Back Control (Probability: 70%)
- Execute X Pass → Side Control (Probability: 58%)
If opponent has strong upper body grips and distance management preventing forward pressure:
- Execute Long Step Pass → Side Control (Probability: 62%)
- Execute Knee Slice Pass → Headquarters Position (Probability: 55%)
If opponent maintains high guard retention posture with hips elevated and mobile:
- Execute Stack Pass → Side Control (Probability: 58%)
- Execute Knee Through → Mount (Probability: 50%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Direct pass to side control submission
Shin-to-Shin Guard Top → Long Step Pass → Side Control → Kimura from Side Control
Leg drag to back attack
Shin-to-Shin Guard Top → Leg Drag Pass → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Knee slice to mount submission
Shin-to-Shin Guard Top → Knee Slice Pass → Mount → Americana from Mount
Stack pass to submission
Shin-to-Shin Guard Top → Stack Pass → Side Control → Arm Triangle
Pressure pass to north-south attack
Shin-to-Shin Guard Top → Pressure Pass → Side Control → North-South → North-South Choke
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 45% | 40% | 20% |
| Intermediate | 62% | 58% | 35% |
| Advanced | 78% | 72% | 50% |
Average Time in Position: 45-120 seconds to complete clearing and passing sequence
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
Passing shin-to-shin guard effectively requires understanding the position’s fundamental mechanical structure and the decision tree it creates for the guard player. The shin connection functions as a lever that can generate significant off-balancing force, but it has a critical weakness: it relies on a single point of lower body connection that can be systematically dismantled through proper technique. The key insight is that you cannot simply drive through the shin connection with pressure—this plays directly into the guard player’s sweeping mechanics. Instead, effective passing requires a two-phase approach: first, establish dominant upper body control through grips that prevent the guard player from managing distance effectively; second, clear the shin connection through controlled circling, stepping back, or pressure-based clearing while maintaining base and preventing transitions to single leg X or X-guard. The most common error I observe is passers attempting to force through the connection without addressing these preparatory elements, resulting in being swept or transitioned to more dangerous positions. Advanced passers recognize that shin-to-shin is fundamentally a transitional position, and the highest-percentage approach is to intercept those transitions while the guard player is in motion rather than trying to pass through a fully established static connection.
Gordon Ryan
From the top position against shin-to-shin, my passing strategy centers on preventing the guard player from achieving what they want—entries to single leg X and leg entanglements. The position is only effective when the guard player can maintain both the shin connection and strong upper body grips for distance management. My approach is to immediately engage in aggressive grip fighting to prevent them from establishing the collar and sleeve grips they need, then use strategic pressure and circling to systematically break down the shin connection. What I’ve learned through competition is that you can’t be passive against shin-to-shin—if you allow the guard player to dictate the pace and maintain their connections indefinitely, they’ll eventually find the opening they need for transitions or sweeps. The highest-percentage passing sequence involves establishing dominant grips, using a combination of pressure and circling to compromise their shin connection, then immediately advancing with knee slice or long step passes before they can re-establish guard structure. The critical moment is recognizing when they attempt to transition to single leg X—this is actually an opportunity to catch their leg and execute leg drag passes or establish dominant top positions. Against advanced guard players, I incorporate feints and pressure variation to create reactions I can exploit, rather than trying to methodically work through a fully established connection.
Eddie Bravo
Passing shin-to-shin from the top perspective requires thinking outside the traditional passing framework that most people use. While conventional passers focus on clearing the shin connection methodically, we’ve found that the position creates unique opportunities for creative passing approaches that most guard players don’t expect. One of our key innovations is using the shin connection itself as a entry point for unconventional passes—instead of trying to clear it, you can sometimes use it as a pivot point for circling or stepping into passing positions that bypass the guard entirely. The key is staying dynamic and unpredictable, mixing traditional clearing methods with unexpected pressure angles and movement patterns. What makes shin-to-shin vulnerable from the top perspective is that it requires active maintenance from the guard player—they can’t be passive and expect it to work. If you can disrupt their rhythm through grip fighting, unexpected pressure changes, or movement patterns they’re not prepared for, the position often collapses quickly. Our system emphasizes creating situations where the guard player has to choose between maintaining shin connection and defending against other threats, forcing them into reactive mode where their guard becomes less effective. The biggest mistake traditional passers make is being too methodical and predictable, giving the guard player time to adjust and maintain their connections indefinitely.