Gordon Ryan Passing System is a advanced difficulty Passing System system. Integrates 4 components.
System ID: System Type: Passing System Difficulty Level: Advanced
What is Gordon Ryan Passing System?
Gordon Ryan’s passing system represents the pinnacle of modern no-gi guard passing, combining relentless pressure, strategic positioning, and systematic guard neutralization. This approach prioritizes establishing dominant grips and control points before initiating passing sequences, ensuring that every movement builds toward a high-percentage pass. The system emphasizes body lock passing variations, leg drag sequences, and over-under pressure passes that have proven devastatingly effective at the highest levels of competition.
The foundation of this system lies in understanding guard passing as a control game rather than a speed game. Ryan’s methodology focuses on removing the opponent’s frames and defensive structures through systematic pressure application, forcing them into progressively worse positions until the pass becomes inevitable. This approach minimizes risk while maximizes control, allowing practitioners to pass the guard of elite opponents without exposing themselves to submissions or sweeps.
What distinguishes this system is its adaptability to different guard types while maintaining core principles of pressure and control. Whether facing butterfly guard, half guard, or open guard variations, the system provides clear decision trees and transitional sequences that maintain offensive pressure throughout. The emphasis on grip fighting, posture control, and strategic weight distribution creates a comprehensive framework that works across skill levels and body types.
Core Principles
- Pressure over speed - establish dominant control before initiating passing movements
- Systematic removal of defensive frames through strategic grip placement and weight distribution
- Body lock control as primary passing vehicle with multiple finish options
- Leg drag sequences that eliminate guard retention mechanisms
- Over-under pressure passes that compress opponent’s defensive space
- Transitional fluidity between passing systems based on defensive reactions
- Grip dominance establishes passing opportunities - never pass without controlling grips first
Key Components
Body Lock Passing (Primary passing vehicle that provides maximum control while minimizing counterattack opportunities) The cornerstone of Ryan’s passing system, body lock passing involves securing a tight body lock around the opponent’s torso while passing their legs to the side. This control eliminates most defensive options and allows for methodical pressure application. The body lock can be established from standing, from combat base, or from top position, making it a versatile entry point for multiple passing sequences.
Leg Drag System (High-percentage passing option that creates immediate back exposure opportunities and eliminates guard retention) The leg drag series involves controlling the opponent’s leg and dragging it across their body while advancing to side control or back exposure. Ryan’s version emphasizes securing the near leg with both hands, using it as an anchor point while circling to advantageous positions. The system includes multiple entry points and finish variations depending on how the opponent defends, creating a comprehensive approach to leg-based passing.
Over-Under Pressure Pass (Pressure-based passing option effective against space-creating guard players and larger opponents) This passing method involves driving one shoulder under the opponent’s leg while controlling over their other leg, creating a crushing cross-face position. Ryan’s application emphasizes walking the legs to the side while maintaining heavy shoulder pressure, eventually stacking the opponent and passing to side control. The over-under excels against opponents who attempt to maintain space or play open guard variations.
Headquarters Control (Strategic control position that provides safety while enabling multiple high-percentage passing entries) Headquarters position serves as the central hub of Ryan’s passing system, providing a stable platform from which multiple passing sequences can be launched. This position involves controlling the opponent’s legs while maintaining a strong base and posture, preventing sweeps while setting up body locks, leg drags, or pressure passes. Mastery of headquarters transitions is essential for systematic guard passing.
Implementation Sequence
- Grip Establishment: Begin every passing sequence by establishing dominant grips and removing opponent’s primary defensive frames. Fight for collar ties, wrist control, or body lock grips before attempting to pass. Key points:
- Never initiate passing movements without grip dominance
- Break opponent’s frames systematically using posture and pressure
- Establish grips that remove their ability to create distance
- Control their head position to eliminate hip escape options
- Guard Type Recognition: Identify the specific guard variation being played and select the appropriate passing system. Different guards require different approaches - butterfly guard requires different tactics than de la riva or half guard. Key points:
- Recognize primary guard retention mechanisms
- Identify opponent’s preferred defensive strategies
- Select passing approach that neutralizes their strongest defensive tools
- Adapt system based on guard transitions
- Pressure Application: Apply strategic pressure to compress opponent’s defensive space and limit their mobility. Use shoulder pressure, cross-face control, and strategic weight distribution to make their guard retention increasingly difficult. Key points:
- Drive shoulder pressure into their face or chest
- Use body weight to compress their hips and legs
- Eliminate space for hip escapes or re-guards
- Maintain pressure throughout passing sequence
- System Entry: Enter the chosen passing system (body lock, leg drag, or over-under) based on opponent’s guard structure and defensive reactions. Commit fully to the selected system while maintaining awareness of alternative options. Key points:
- Secure body lock or leg control with dominant grips
- Establish stable base before initiating passing movements
- Control opponent’s upper body to prevent frames
- Prepare backup passing options for defensive transitions
- Passing Completion: Execute the pass by systematically moving through opponent’s defensive layers while maintaining control. Progress from headquarters to passing position to consolidated side control or mount. Key points:
- Walk or pressure through their defensive frames
- Maintain grip control throughout transition
- Secure cross-face or head control before releasing legs
- Consolidate position immediately after passing
- Position Consolidation: After completing the pass, immediately establish dominant control in side control, mount, or back control. Prevent re-guard attempts by maintaining heavy pressure and controlling their hip mobility. Key points:
- Apply cross-face pressure immediately
- Control far hip to prevent shrimping
- Establish strong base in top position
- Transition to submission attacks or positional advancement
How to Measure Your Progress
Body Lock Control Proficiency: Measures ability to establish and maintain body lock control across different guard types and against varying resistance levels Proficiency indicators:
- Can establish body lock from standing, combat base, and top positions within 30 seconds against resistance
- Maintains body lock control through opponent’s hip escapes and framing attempts
- Successfully transitions from body lock to pass completion 70%+ of the time in training
Leg Drag Execution Rate: Evaluates success rate and technical precision when executing leg drag passing sequences Proficiency indicators:
- Completes leg drag to back exposure or side control 60%+ of attempts
- Recognizes and capitalizes on leg drag opportunities from multiple guard types
- Chains leg drag attempts together when initial attempt is defended
Pressure Passing Effectiveness: Assesses ability to apply strategic pressure that progressively breaks down opponent’s guard retention Proficiency indicators:
- Opponent expresses fatigue from pressure within 2-3 minutes of engagement
- Successfully prevents re-guard attempts 80%+ of the time after initial pass
- Can pass guard of similarly skilled opponents without exposing back or risking submissions
System Adaptability: Measures fluidity in transitioning between different passing systems based on defensive reactions Proficiency indicators:
- Seamlessly switches between body lock, leg drag, and over-under based on opponent’s defensive choices
- Recognizes which passing system is most appropriate for specific guard types within seconds
- Maintains offensive pressure throughout system transitions without resetting to neutral
Expert Insights
- John Danaher: Gordon’s passing system represents a synthesis of traditional pressure passing principles with modern no-gi specific adaptations. The brilliance lies in the systematic removal of defensive options through strategic control establishment. What separates elite passers from intermediate practitioners is not technical variety but rather the depth of understanding in each position. Gordon has developed an encyclopedic knowledge of defensive reactions from every guard type, allowing him to anticipate and neutralize defensive attempts before they fully develop. The body lock serves as the perfect vehicle for this approach because it simultaneously removes upper body frames while controlling hip mobility. The key insight is understanding that guard passing is fundamentally a problem of controlling enough points on the opponent’s body that movement becomes impossible. Most passing failures occur from insufficient control establishment before attempting the pass itself. Gordon’s methodology of establishing dominant grips, applying strategic pressure to remove frames, and only then initiating passing movements represents technically sound systematic thinking.
- Gordon Ryan: My passing system is built on one fundamental truth - if you can’t escape my pressure, you can’t keep your guard. I developed this approach through thousands of rounds against world-class guard players who forced me to find solutions that work against the absolute best. The body lock pass became my primary weapon because it offers maximum control with minimum risk. When I lock my hands around your body, I’m not just controlling your torso - I’m eliminating your ability to create the angles and space you need for guard retention. The leg drag sequences evolved from studying how opponents defended my body lock attempts. When they try to prevent the body lock by controlling distance, they expose their legs to drag variations. When they defend the leg drag by squaring back up, they walk right into the over-under pressure pass. This isn’t about being physically stronger than your opponent - it’s about systematically removing every defensive option until the pass becomes inevitable. In competition, I don’t chase fast passes or risky techniques. I establish control, apply pressure until you make a mistake, then capitalize on that mistake with precise technical execution. That’s how you pass the guard of elite black belts consistently.
- Eddie Bravo: Gordon’s approach to passing demonstrates how traditional pressure passing concepts can be elevated through systematic thinking and competition testing. While my system emphasizes different passing entries and guard types, the underlying principle of establishing control before passing resonates deeply. What’s innovative about Gordon’s methodology is the seamless integration of multiple passing systems - body lock, leg drag, over-under - all flowing from the same control principles. In 10th Planet, we emphasize adaptability and creative problem-solving, and Gordon’s system embodies those values while maintaining technical precision. The headquarters position he uses as a central hub is conceptually similar to how we use certain control positions as launching points for multiple techniques. Where Gordon’s approach differs from traditional pressure passing is the incorporation of modern leg entanglement awareness - he’s passing guards in an era where leg locks are prevalent, so his positioning accounts for those threats. The competition results speak for themselves - this systematic, pressure-based approach has proven devastatingly effective at the highest levels. Any serious competitor needs to understand these passing concepts, whether they adopt the entire system or integrate specific elements into their existing game.