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Guard Passing — White Belt Resource Guide
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — White Belt Series

Guard
Passing

Passing the guard is the bridge between neutral positions and dominant control. Learn to pass with concepts, not just techniques.

Core Principle

You cannot control someone effectively until you pass their legs.

01
Foundation
Overview

Guard passing is one of the most important offensive skills in Jiu Jitsu. While guard retention focuses on preventing advancement, guard passing focuses on creating it. The goal is simple: move from outside your opponent's guard to a dominant controlling position.

The Simple Truth

Successful guard passing is not about speed. It is about systematically removing obstacles until control becomes inevitable. Most white belts try to pass too quickly, chase techniques instead of concepts, and focus on movement without understanding control.

What Guard Passing Unlocks
  • Establish side control
  • Establish mount
  • Establish back control
  • Apply pressure and dictate pace
  • Create submission opportunities
What Guard Passing Is

The process of moving around, through, or beyond your opponent's legs while maintaining control and avoiding attacks.

What It Is Not

Getting around the feet. Many white belts think that's the goal. The true goal is controlling the hips. The legs are only one layer.

Who Benefits Most

Students with strong passing consistently place themselves in dominant positions — making their entire game harder to stop.

02
Framework
DECA Connection

Guard passing exists primarily within the Control phase of DECA. Understanding where passing sits in the framework helps you recognize why it matters and what it enables.

D
Defend
Avoid sweeps and submissions while in the passer's position.
E
Escape
Recover posture and positioning when guard is established.
C
Control
Pass the guard and establish dominance. This is the primary phase for guard passing.
A
Attack
Create submission opportunities. Passing creates the control necessary for attacks.
03
Most Important Concept
Ankles → Knees → Hips

Your opponent's guard exists in layers. Many beginners try to jump directly to the hips. Successful passers work through each layer systematically.

1
Ankles
Control the feet. The feet create distance and frames. This is the first line of defense — and the first thing to address.
Grip the ankles, control the toes, neutralize the hooks.
2
Knees
Control the knees. Once the ankles are addressed, move your pressure and control to the knee line.
Flatten the knees, cut through, apply weight.
3
Hips
Control the hips. Once the hips are controlled, passing becomes significantly easier. This is the true goal.
Flatten the hips, underhook, establish side or mount.
Key Insight

Once the hips are controlled, the pass is nearly complete. Don't skip layers. Work the system: ankles first, knees second, hips last.

04
Principles
Core Concepts

Guard passing success comes from understanding principles, not collecting techniques. These concepts apply to every guard you will ever face.

Inside Control
Fight to get your hands, arms, and knees inside. The athlete who controls the inside space often controls the exchange.
Position Before Pressure
Establish position first. Control movement. Apply pressure. Then advance. Pressure only works when position is correct.
Posture
Good posture prevents sweeps, submissions, and fatigue. Protect posture first — pass second.
Base
Good base prevents reversals. Avoid leaning, reaching, or overcommitting. Stay balanced.
Connection
As you pass, maintain connection. Space creates recovery opportunities. Connection creates control.
Leverage Over Strength
Use positioning and leverage — not force. Passing with strength tires you out and creates scrambles.
05
Techniques
The Three Styles of Guard Passing

All guard passes fall into one of three categories. Understanding the category helps you apply the right concept at the right time.

Around The Legs
Move around the legs entirely. Advantages: speed and mobility.
Toreando Pass · X-Pass · Side-to-Side Passing
Through The Legs
Split the legs and advance. Advantages: strong control throughout the pass.
Knee Cut Pass · Leg Drag · Half Guard Passing
Under The Legs
Control the legs and move underneath. Advantages: strong pressure.
Over-Under Pass · Double Under Pass · Stack Pass
Mobility Passing Concepts
  • Focus on angles, timing, and movement
  • Beat the legs before they establish control
  • Works well against active guards
  • Examples: Toreando, X-Pass, Leg Weave
Pressure Passing Concepts
  • Eliminate space and restrict movement
  • Create discomfort and force reactions
  • Apply pressure gradually — not forcefully
  • Examples: Over-under, Body lock, Smash
06
Application
Passing Against Each Guard

Each guard type presents different challenges. Understand the primary goals for passing each one before focusing on specific techniques.

Open Guard
  • Control feet and ankles first
  • Create angles before committing
  • Maintain posture throughout
  • The feet are the first line of defense
Half Guard
  • Win the underhook battle
  • Flatten the opponent's hips
  • Control shoulder and hip together
  • Battle of pressure and positioning
Closed Guard
  • Maintain posture above all else
  • Open the guard safely before passing
  • Establish base before applying pressure
  • Never sacrifice posture for speed
Universal Rule

Regardless of which guard you face, the goal is always the same: work through the layers systematically. Ankles first, knees second, hips last. The guard type changes the approach — the concept stays the same.

07
Awareness
Common White Belt Mistakes
Trying To Pass Too Fast
Speed often hides mistakes and creates scrambles. Focus on control over quickness.
→ Slow down. Establish position before moving.
Ignoring The Feet
Skipping to the hips without addressing the feet creates frames, distance, and failed passes.
→ Control the feet first. Work the layers in order.
Poor Posture
Broken posture makes passing extremely difficult and opens you to sweeps and submissions.
→ Protect posture first. Pass second. Always.
Reaching
Reaching creates leverage for sweeps and submissions. It also destroys your base.
→ Stay grounded. Move your body — not just your arms.
Chasing Techniques
Collecting passes without understanding the concepts behind them leads to inconsistency.
→ Master concepts. Techniques are expressions of concepts.
Passing With Strength
Using force instead of leverage burns energy and creates defensive reactions in the opponent.
→ Use positioning and leverage — not muscling through.
08
Training
Solo & Partner Drills
Solo Drills — 3 Rounds
Round 1
Technical Stand Ups + Hip Heists
25 Technical Stand Ups. 25 Hip Heists. Builds foundational movement mechanics for passing.
Round 2
Movement Drills
3 minutes continuous movement. Focus on smooth transitions and body awareness while moving around a fixed point.
Round 3
Passing Footwork
2 minutes. Simulate passing movement patterns. Focus on balance and footwork coordination.
Partner Drills
Drill 1
Toreando Repetitions
Develop movement around the legs. Focus on hand control and angle creation.
Drill 2
Knee Cut Repetitions
Develop movement through the legs. Work the underhook and hip control combination.
Drill 3
Over-Under Repetitions
Develop pressure passing mechanics. Focus on eliminating space and controlling the hips.
Drill 4 — Passing Chains

Combine multiple passes together in sequence. Toreando attempt → transition to knee cut → pressure pass. Train the chain, not individual techniques.

09
Structure
Positional Sparring Plan

Use this 8-week structure to systematically develop passing against every guard type before combining them.

Weeks 1–2
Open Guard Passing
Focus on controlling feet and creating angles against open guard.
Weeks 3–4
Half Guard Passing
Win underhooks, flatten opponents, control hips in half guard situations.
Weeks 5–6
Closed Guard Passing
Maintain posture, open guard safely, establish control before passing.
Weeks 7–8
Mixed Passing Rounds
Combine all guard types. Recognize and respond to whatever guard your partner establishes.
10
Development
30 / 60 / 90-Day Improvement Plan
30
Day Goal
Understand Passing Concepts
Recognize the layers of the guard. Know what Ankles → Knees → Hips means in practice. Begin identifying the guard type your opponent is using.
60
Day Goal
Control Feet and Knees
Apply foot and knee control consistently in drilling. Maintain posture regularly. Attempt passes with positioning first rather than speed or strength.
90
Day Goal
Pass During Live Sparring
Establish dominant positions regularly through live rolling. Chain multiple passes together. Maintain control after the pass is completed.
11
Reference
15 Most Important Things
0 / 15
Pass the legs before controlling the body
Ankles → Knees → Hips — work the layers
Protect posture at all times
Maintain base and balance
Fight for inside control
Control the feet first
Pressure follows position — not the other way
Connection prevents recovery
Don't rush — be patient
Position before submission
Chain passes together
Pass with leverage — not strength
Maintain control after the pass
Use concepts — not just techniques
Stay patient — stay systematic
12
Assessment
Success Benchmark & Self Assessment

A white belt has developed strong guard passing when these benchmarks are consistently met during live sparring — not just drilling.

Strong Guard Passing Looks Like
  • Consistently maintaining posture while passing
  • Recognizing passing opportunities in real time
  • Understanding and working through passing layers
  • Passing multiple guard types successfully
  • Establishing and maintaining control after the pass
  • Using concepts instead of relying on techniques alone
Self-Assessment Questions
  • Can I maintain posture while passing?
  • Can I control the feet?
  • Can I control the knees?
  • Can I control the hips?
  • Can I use pressure effectively?
  • Can I use mobility effectively?
  • Can I pass open guard?
  • Can I pass half guard?
  • Can I pass closed guard?
  • Can I maintain control after the pass?

A student who can consistently pass the guard will spend more time controlling, attacking, and winning exchanges. The better your passing becomes, the more opportunities you create throughout your entire game.