BJJ Headquarters: The Home of Guard Passing

By Fanatics Authors, January 23, 2019

Basic Ideas For

Guard passing is one of the most difficult and frustrating aspects of Jiu Jitsu, especially when going up against a skilled practitioner. It is rare to pass the guard on first attempt and it will usually require multiple techniques and side switches to finally complete the pass. This does not make the guard passer incompetent within itself so long as the pass comes to fruition.

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There are two basic forms of guard passing in Jiu Jitsu: smash passing and fasting passing, albeit certain techniques fall into the grey area between the two modes. What is important, and you will find this in all skilled guard passers, is the ability to return to a base guard passing position that yields various paths a top player can take. This will be even effective if the guard passer is also skilled at attacking the legs.

BJJ Headquarters

In the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the term "BJJ headquarters" holds significant importance, resonating with practitioners from all around the globe. It’s not just a term; it’s a symbol of excellence, dedication, and the undying spirit of martial arts. Leading BJJ academies that are referred to as headquarters are typically recognized for their contribution to the sport, producing top-tier athletes and contributing innovative techniques. These institutions often become a pilgrimage for grappling enthusiasts, eager to learn from the best and immerse themselves in an environment that breathes Jiu-Jitsu.

The atmosphere in such BJJ headquarters is electric, filled with the energy of practitioners drilling techniques, sparring, and learning from each other. There is a sense of community and brotherhood, as everyone shares the common goal of improving and evolving in their BJJ journey. The instructors at these academies play a pivotal role, not just as teachers, but as mentors guiding their students through the intricacies of the sport, helping them overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

Practitioners who master the BJJ headquarters position often find themselves in favorable positions during sparring or competition, as they can dictate the pace of the match and force their opponents into defensive modes. This strategic advantage is why the headquarters position is a staple in the arsenal of many successful BJJ competitors and practitioners worldwide.

BJJ Headquarters Position

Delving deeper into the technical aspect, the BJJ headquarters position stands as a testament to the strategic depth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This position is particularly effective against various guard styles, providing the practitioner on top with a substantial advantage. By establishing this position, one can limit the opponent’s mobility, making it harder for them to maintain their guard and opening up opportunities for guard passes. This position requires the passer to sit of the foot of one leg of the guard player and using the other knee or shin to smash the bottom player’s far leg. It is also vital maintain a low and heavy base here.

The headquarters position is about a blend of balance, strength, and technique. The practitioner must be mindful of their weight distribution, ensuring they remain low and stable, making it difficult for the opponent to create space or initiate sweeps. Additionally, this position offers a variety of options to advance or switch to other dominant positions, depending on the opponent’s reactions and resistance.

Headquarters Position is very effective at limiting the guard players attacks. It can be used to thwart closed guard entry, De la Riva guard, reverse De la Riva guard, and many other forms of open guard. Adding lapel grips and lifting your opponent slightly towards you can also make it much more dangerous.

The reason headquarters Position finds so much success in passing is that it yields both fast and smashing passes such as the knee slice pass, the X-pass, and various forms of smash passing involving sprawling the legs. It also opens up the forward kimura roll if that is something that interests you. The simplicity and effectiveness of this base can be enjoyed by new and advanced practitioners alike.

In the following video, you can see Craig Jones use a variant of this position to set a sprawling smash pass that can land you in mount of side control.

Having a home base, like headquarters, when passing the guard can be immensely helpful. A great home base, however, has to be stable, meaning that your home base shouldn’t be when you are in the guard player’s De la Riva guard or closed guard. It should be a position where the guard player can’t attack well and where you can easily transition between different passes.

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