The Bullfighter Pass, also known as the Toreando Pass, is a dynamic standing guard pass that uses lateral movement and precise grip control to bypass the opponent’s guard. The name comes from the bullfighting motion of moving to the side while controlling the opponent’s legs, similar to a matador avoiding a charging bull. This pass is effective against various open guard configurations including Spider Guard, De La Riva Guard, and Collar Sleeve Guard.
The technique relies on explosive footwork, proper weight distribution, and the ability to control the opponent’s legs while maintaining balance. The fundamental mechanic is simultaneous opposing forces: you move laterally in one direction while throwing the opponent’s legs in the opposite direction, creating the separation needed to clear the leg barrier. The pass creates significant forward momentum and pressure, making it difficult for the opponent to recover guard or establish defensive frames.
The Bullfighter Pass is particularly effective in no-gi grappling where leg grips are harder to maintain, but it remains highly useful in the gi when executed with proper timing. At the highest levels, this pass is rarely used in isolation. It functions as the primary entry in a standing passing system that chains with the Long Step Pass, Knee Cut Pass, and backstep entries to leg attacks, forcing the guard player to defend multiple threats simultaneously.
From Position: Open Guard (Top) Success Rate: 68%
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Side Control | 68% |
| Failure | Open Guard | 22% |
| Counter | Open Guard | 10% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute technique | Prevent or counter |
| Key Principles | Control opponent’s legs with strong grips before initiating … | Never allow bilateral leg control without contesting grips -… |
| Options | 6 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Control opponent’s legs with strong grips before initiating movement
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Use explosive lateral movement to create angles
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Maintain forward pressure throughout the pass
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Keep hips low and base wide for stability
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Time the pass to coincide with opponent’s defensive reactions
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Chain multiple directional changes to overwhelm guard retention
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Immediately consolidate side control after passing
Execution Steps
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Establish grip control: Stand up in opponent’s open guard and secure bilateral grips on their pants at the knees or shins. I…
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Create separation: Push the opponent’s knees together and toward their chest while stepping back slightly. This compres…
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Initiate lateral movement: Explosively step to one side (usually your stronger side) while simultaneously pushing the opponent’…
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Clear the legs: As you move laterally, use a circular motion to throw the opponent’s legs to the side and away from …
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Drop your weight: Immediately after clearing the legs, drop your chest and hips toward the opponent’s torso. Your near…
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Secure side control: Establish crossface control with your near arm while your far arm controls their far hip or underhoo…
Common Mistakes
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Standing too upright during the pass
- Consequence: Creates space for opponent to insert frames or recover guard
- Correction: Keep your hips low and chest driving forward throughout the entire movement. Think of moving like a sprinter, not standing tall.
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Releasing grips too early before clearing the legs
- Consequence: Opponent recovers guard by bringing their knees back to their chest
- Correction: Maintain at least one grip until your chest makes contact with their torso. Only fully release when your weight is already controlling them.
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Moving laterally without pushing the legs first
- Consequence: Legs follow your movement and re-establish guard
- Correction: Always push the legs in the opposite direction of your movement simultaneously. The motion should be coordinated like a steering wheel.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Never allow bilateral leg control without contesting grips - fight to strip at least one hand from your legs immediately
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Follow the passer’s lateral movement with your hips, keeping your knees pointed at their chest at all times
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Maintain at least one connection point (collar grip, sleeve grip, or foot on hip) to prevent free lateral movement
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Keep your hips off the mat and mobile - a flat back with hips pinned to the ground cannot track lateral passes
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Use your feet as active barriers on their hips and biceps rather than passively extending legs
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Recognize the pass early from grip and stance cues and begin defensive adjustments before the explosive lateral step
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If legs are cleared, immediately turn toward the passer and insert frames before their weight drops
Recognition Cues
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Opponent stands up in your open guard and grips both of your pants at the knees or shins with thumbs facing inward
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Opponent pushes your knees together and toward your chest, compressing your guard and limiting hip mobility
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Opponent shifts weight laterally onto one foot while their upper body drops lower, preparing for the explosive lateral step
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Opponent begins circling your legs to one side with a sweeping arm motion while stepping in the opposite direction
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Opponent breaks your foot-on-hip frames by pushing your feet to one side rather than engaging forward
Defensive Options
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Hip follow and knee shield recovery: as passer steps laterally, rotate your hips to track their movement and insert your near knee across their hip line as a shield - When: When you recognize the lateral movement early and still have hip mobility. Must be initiated within the first half-second of their lateral step
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Grip strip and foot re-insertion: use a two-on-one grip break on their controlling hand while simultaneously placing your opposite foot back on their hip or bicep - When: When the passer has established bilateral leg control but has not yet initiated explosive lateral movement. This is the grip fighting phase before the pass launches
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Inversion to reguard: when legs are thrown to one side and the passer begins dropping weight, invert underneath them by rolling over your shoulder toward the passer to reguard or threaten berimbolo - When: Last-resort option when the passer has already cleared your legs and is dropping weight. Requires good flexibility and inversion skills
Position Integration
The Bullfighter Pass is a cornerstone technique in modern standing guard passing systems. It serves as an excellent entry point for beginners learning to pass open guard while remaining highly effective at advanced levels. The pass integrates seamlessly with other standing passes, particularly the Long Step Pass and Knee Cut Pass, creating a comprehensive passing system. It is especially valuable in no-gi grappling where leg grips are harder to maintain, making standing passes more dominant than kneeling passes. The Bullfighter Pass also serves as a bridge to leg attack systems—when the pass is defended, the backstep variation provides direct access to inside position leg entanglements. In competition, this pass is frequently seen in the transition from standing to ground grappling, often used immediately after breaking down an opponent’s seated or supine guard. Understanding this pass is essential for developing a complete guard passing game.