Guard passing is the top player's work of getting past the guard player's legs to a dominant position: side control, north-south, mount or the back. BJJ Heroes describes the toreada pass as a position from which the top player can establish side control, or sometimes take the back, this way escaping the guard.
- In BJJ: a completed guard pass scores three points under IBJJF rules.
- Families: standing passes such as the toreada and the leg drag, pressure passes such as the stack and the Sao Paulo pass, and the stand-up break used to open a closed guard.
- Opposite: guard retention.
What are the main guard passes?
Toreada. BJJ Heroes describes the grips: both hands on the pants at the inside of the knees, used to put pressure on the legs so they cannot control the passer. The passer pushes the legs to one side while moving to the other, like a bullfighter stepping around a bull. It is the pass of the lighter weights.
Leg drag. BJJ Heroes describes the leg drag as a position used to control the opponent's hips before advancing to a pass: one leg is dragged across the body and pinned, so the hips cannot face you. It became one of the foundations of modern jiu jitsu through the Mendes brothers.
Stand-up pass. For the closed guard, BJJ Heroes describes the Carlson Gracie method: control both collars with one hand and one of the guard player's hands with the other, stand up, then use the collar hand to push the legs open.
Sao Paulo pass. Described by BJJ Heroes as a safe way to pass the closed guard or move to half guard with shoulder pressure, suited to a heavier, slower base style.
How do you pass guard?
- Fix your posture and base first. Nothing passes from a bent back.
- Control the hips or the knees. Grips on the pants at the knees, a leg drag, or a hand on the hip.
- Pick a side and commit. Pass around the legs, through them or over them, and keep moving in that direction until the chest-to-chest connection is made.
- Kill the near hip. Once past the knees, pin the hip with your weight before you settle, so the guard cannot be recovered.
- Settle into side control with your weight through the chest, and hold for three seconds before attacking.
The most common mistake is passing the legs and standing up straight before the hips are pinned. The guard player shrimps, the knee comes back in, and the pass is gone.
Passing drills are hard on knees and toes. Our BJJ training gear is rash guards and spats for rounds with and without the gi.
How many points is a guard pass worth?
Three, under the IBJJF Rules Book, when you get past the legs into side control or north-south and hold it for three seconds. A pass that ends in half guard scores nothing yet, and an advantage only when it came from a pass attempt.
Sources
- BJJ Heroes describes the toreada pass, BJJ Heroes
- BJJ Heroes describes the leg drag, BJJ Heroes
- BJJ Heroes describes the Carlson Gracie method, BJJ Heroes
- Described by BJJ Heroes, BJJ Heroes
- IBJJF Rules Book, IBJJF
Related terms
Guard retention, Pressure, Base, Side control, Closed guard.