Pass Squid Guard is a systematic guard passing sequence designed to neutralize the bottom player’s asymmetrical lapel control and threading leg configuration. The pass requires methodical lapel clearing combined with postural discipline before any traditional passing mechanics can be applied. Unlike standard open guard passes where grip fighting and directional pressure are the primary concerns, Squid Guard passing demands a preliminary phase dedicated entirely to removing the fabric entanglement that defines the position.
The passing strategy centers on a three-phase approach: first establishing stable posture and preventing the bottom player’s inversion attempts, second stripping or clearing the lapel wrap that restricts the passer’s mobility, and third executing a directional pass once the primary control mechanism has been neutralized. The critical insight is that attempting any standard passing technique while the lapel remains entangled around your leg will fail because the bottom player retains mechanical leverage through the fabric connection.
This pass integrates into the broader guard passing system as a specialized response to modern lapel-based guards. The principles of posture maintenance, grip stripping, and systematic entanglement clearing transfer directly to passing other lapel guards such as Worm Guard and Lapel Guard. Success requires patience and technical precision rather than explosive athleticism, making it particularly effective for methodical passers who prefer systematic approaches over speed-based passing.
From Position: Squid Guard (Top) Success Rate: 60%
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Side Control | 45% |
| Success | Half Guard | 15% |
| Failure | Squid Guard | 25% |
| Counter | Back Control | 15% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute technique | Prevent or counter |
| Key Principles | Establish and maintain vertical posture before addressing an… | Treat every passing attempt as a counter-attack opportunity … |
| Options | 8 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Establish and maintain vertical posture before addressing any grip or entanglement - forward collapse is the primary failure mode
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Clear the lapel entanglement completely before attempting any directional passing movement
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Control the guard player’s free hand to prevent re-gripping and lapel reinforcement during the clearing phase
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Time your passing entry to the moment of lapel clearance when the guard player is momentarily without their primary control
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Maintain wide base with low hips to resist the constant off-balancing tension from the lapel wrap
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Prevent inversion at all costs - once the guard player inverts, back exposure becomes the dominant threat
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Commit to your passing direction decisively once the lapel is cleared, as hesitation allows guard re-establishment
Execution Steps
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Establish posture and base: Stand or kneel with upright posture, hips back, and weight distributed across a wide base. Resist th…
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Identify lapel configuration: Assess how the lapel is wrapped around your leg or body. Determine the wrapping direction, depth of …
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Control the guard player’s free hand: Before beginning the lapel strip, control the guard player’s non-lapel hand by gripping their sleeve…
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Strip or clear the lapel entanglement: Using your free hand, methodically strip the lapel from around your leg by pulling the fabric in the…
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Address the threading hook: Once the lapel is cleared, immediately deal with the guard player’s threading leg that hooks behind …
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Execute passing direction: With the lapel cleared and hook addressed, immediately commit to your chosen passing direction. A kn…
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Clear remaining leg barriers: As you drive through your passing direction, the guard player’s non-hooking leg will attempt to fram…
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Consolidate side control: Complete the pass by establishing chest-to-chest contact perpendicular to the guard player’s torso. …
Common Mistakes
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Attempting to pass without clearing the lapel entanglement first
- Consequence: The lapel acts as a tether that arrests your passing movement and provides the guard player leverage to recover guard or sweep you off balance
- Correction: Always complete the full lapel clearing sequence before initiating any directional passing movement. Treat the lapel as a mandatory obstacle that must be removed before standard passing can begin.
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Collapsing forward into the guard player’s inverted attack range
- Consequence: Exposes your back to inversion-based back takes, triangle threats, and omoplata entries that are the Squid Guard player’s primary scoring attacks
- Correction: Maintain rigid upright posture with hips back throughout the entire passing sequence. If you feel yourself being pulled forward, step back and re-establish posture before continuing.
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Ignoring the guard player’s free hand while stripping the lapel
- Consequence: They re-grip the lapel deeper than before, deepen the entanglement, or establish additional control points that make the passing problem progressively harder
- Correction: Always control the free hand with a sleeve or wrist grip before beginning the lapel strip. Maintaining this control throughout the clearing phase is non-negotiable.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Treat every passing attempt as a counter-attack opportunity rather than a purely defensive situation
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Maintain constant lapel tension and be ready to re-grip or deepen the wrap whenever the passer creates slack
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Use the threading hook actively to off-balance the passer whenever they commit weight to one side for the strip
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Keep your free hand available for re-gripping, framing, or establishing additional control points
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Recognize the passer’s lapel clearing sequence and initiate your counter at the moment they are most committed
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Stay mobile on your hips and ready to invert or angle off when the passer drives forward
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If the lapel is stripped, immediately transition to a secondary guard rather than fighting to re-establish Squid Guard from a compromised position
Recognition Cues
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Passer establishes rigid upright posture with hips back and wide base, indicating they are preparing to address the lapel rather than attempting to pressure through
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Passer reaches for your free hand or sleeve with their non-stripping hand, signaling the beginning of the clearing sequence
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Passer backsteps or shifts the entangled leg backward, creating slack in the lapel wrap to facilitate stripping
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Passer grips the lapel fabric near where it contacts their leg rather than fighting your hand grip, indicating a systematic strip attempt
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Passer’s weight shifts to one side as they begin directional passing immediately after any lapel slack is created
Defensive Options
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Deepen the lapel wrap and reinforce grips when passer begins strip attempt - When: Early in the clearing sequence when the passer first reaches for the lapel or your free hand, before they have established dominant grip control
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Invert toward the passer’s back when they commit weight forward during the strip - When: When the passer leans forward or narrows their base during the lapel clearing phase, compromising their ability to prevent your rotation
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Use threading hook elevation to sweep when passer stands on narrow base - When: When the passer stands tall with straight legs or shifts their weight to one leg during the clearing attempt
Position Integration
Pass Squid Guard sits within the modern lapel guard passing system alongside Worm Guard passes and Lapel Guard passes. The lapel clearing skills developed here transfer directly to any situation where the bottom player uses gi fabric as a primary control mechanism. Within the broader passing hierarchy, this technique addresses the preliminary phase that must precede standard open guard passes like knee slice, toreando, or leg drag when the bottom player has established lapel entanglement. Mastering this pass also develops the grip fighting awareness and patience required for high-level guard passing against modern guard systems.