Skip to content
BJJ Headquarters: The Home of Guard Passing
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.
Add Some Zeal To Your Leg Lock Game. Click Learn More below!
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.
One common position that can be described as an excellent passing base is what is known as the headquarters position. 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.
This 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 this 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.
Craig Jones is making strides in the submission only world. You can too! Get his DVD "Down Under Leg Locks" to learn his secrets! Check it out here!
Enjoy reading about guard passing and want to know even more? then consider checking:
ARE YOU A BJJ FANATICS INSIDER? IF NOT, YOU’RE MISSING OUT!
Our Insiders Club is by far the fastest way to level up your game. Take a deep dive on one specific skill per month with the top instructors in the BJJ Fanatics family.
How much is it worth to get private lessons from Benardo Faria, the Ruotolo brothers, Giancarlo Bodoni, Jeff Glover, Neil Melanson, Marcos Tinoco… and the list goes on and on?! Forget it, don’t answer that - because you get all of these guys and more, for just $9.99 a month!
With your subscription you’ll get a Private Lesson (Masterclass), At Home Drills to work on, rolling breakdowns and more. You’ll also get a sneak peek at our upcoming Product Launch and Daily Deal schedules plus access to Daily Deals on BJJ gear and merchandise (up to 80% off). And much much more!
Just $9.99/month
