Also called Guard passing, Passing the guard
A guard pass gets you past the opponent's legs from the top into side control or mount. Most passes share the same ideas: control the hips or legs, move around or through the legs, then pin with chest pressure before they recover. The knee slice, toreando and leg drag are common examples.
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How to do it
- 1Posture up and break the opponent's grips on your sleeves and collar first.
- 2Control their legs at the knees or hips with your hands.
- 3Move to one side, pushing their legs the other way or slicing your knee across their thigh.
- 4Get your chest onto theirs and your hips past their legs.
- 5Settle side control with an underhook or crossface before they can turn in.
- Trying to pass while their grips are still in place.
- Keeping your hips high and far away once past, so they recover guard.
- Posting a hand on the mat inside their guard, where it can be armbarred.
Safety: Pass with controlled pressure and ease off if a partner's neck gets stacked against the mat.
Drills
Passing rounds: start in the opponent's open guard; score a pass by holding side control for three seconds, then restart.
Legends known for it
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Related techniques
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