If you've spent any time training BJJ, you've probably noticed that a lot of your rolls start with you in someone's guard, or them in yours. Learning how to pass the guard is just as important as learning how to sweep or submit. Without solid passing skills, you'll find yourself stuck in guard, burning energy while your opponent controls the pace.
Guard passing is one of the fundamental skills that separates a white belt who gets stuck from one who starts moving through positions and climbing the positional hierarchy. The ability to move from guard to side control, mount, or back control gives you control of the match and opens up submission opportunities.
This guide covers seven essential passing techniques every white belt should learn to develop a well-rounded top game.
1. Knee cut pass
The knee cut pass is one of the most fundamental passes in BJJ and a great starting point for white belts. It teaches you how to use pressure, control, and hip movement to slice through your opponent's guard.
Key details:
- Control your opponent's collar and knee to prevent guard recovery.
- Drive your knee across their body, staying hip-to-hip to prevent them from creating space.
- Keep your weight forward and follow their movement if they try to turn away.
- This pass works well from open guard and can land you in side control.
The knee cut pass is effective because it combines pressure with control, making it difficult for your opponent to escape or recover guard.
2. Toreando pass
The toreando pass, also known as the bullfighter pass, is a dynamic and fast-paced guard pass that works great against open guard players. This technique is all about controlling your opponent's legs and moving around them.
Key details:
- Grip your opponent's gi above the shins with both hands.
- Push their legs to one side while moving your body in the opposite direction.
- Keep heavy pressure on the legs to prevent any leg movement.
- This pass can land you in side control or north-south position.
The toreando pass is especially useful when your opponent has a strong open guard game, as it neutralizes their leg control and allows you to pass quickly.
3. Leg drag pass
The leg drag pass is a smooth, technical pass that works in both gi and no-gi. It's all about redirecting your opponent's legs and moving in the opposite direction to pass their guard.
Key details:
- Control your opponent's leg and drag it across their body.
- Move your body in the opposite direction of where you're pushing the leg.
- Keep tight control to prevent them from recovering guard.
- Works great from open guard positions.
This pass is effective because it creates angles that make it hard for your opponent to recover, and it flows well into dominant positions like side control or back takes.
4. X pass basics
The X pass is a powerful pressure pass that combines forward pressure with leg control. It's a versatile technique that can end in knee on belly or side control.
Key details:
- Keep your pressure forward at all times.
- Combine your pressure with a powerful kick and leg push.
- Control your opponent's hips to prevent guard recovery.
- This pass works well from open guard positions.
The X pass is great for white belts because it teaches the importance of pressure and control, two essential elements in any passing game.
5. Over under pass
The over under pass is a classic pressure pass that's been used for decades. It's a bit more physically demanding than some other passes, but it's incredibly effective when done correctly.
Key details:
- Grip the belt or pants for strong control.
- Keep your head low and forward to block counters.
- Step over their leg, pulling the knee away to create space.
- Once your knee clears their leg line, drop your head and shoulder across their body.
- Use hip pressure to turn their hips and secure the pass.
This pass is all about staying tight and using your weight effectively. It's a fundamental technique that will serve you well throughout your BJJ journey.
6. Passing the knee shield
Learn how to pass the knee shield
The knee shield (also called Z-guard) is one of the most common positions you'll encounter as a white belt. Learning how to deal with it is essential for developing a functional passing game.
Key details:
- Lachlan Giles shows 6 different techniques for passing the knee shield.
- Focus on controlling the knee shield leg and preventing it from creating distance.
- Use a combination of pressure and movement to work around the shield.
- Works from half guard top positions.
The knee shield can be frustrating to deal with, but once you understand the principles, you'll find that there are multiple ways to pass it effectively.
7. Passing the lasso guard
Learn how to pass the lasso guard
The lasso guard can be one of the trickiest guards to deal with, especially in the gi. Your opponent uses their leg wrapped around your arm to control you and prevent passing. Learning to break this control is crucial.
Key details:
- Win the grip fight first—control is everything in lasso passing.
- Strip the lasso hook by maintaining strong posture.
- Use pressure and movement to systematically dismantle the guard.
- A useful trick: flare your thumb outside of your opponent's hand during the grip fight to gain more control.
- The person who controls the outside of the grip is winning the grip fight.
This pass requires patience and good grip fighting skills, but once you understand the mechanics, you'll find that the lasso guard isn't as scary as it first appears.
Understanding the positional hierarchy
Guard passing fits directly into the positional hierarchy of BJJ. Moving from being in someone's guard to achieving side control, mount, or back control is how you progress up the positional ladder and start controlling the match.
Without passing skills, you'll spend most of your time stuck in guard, fighting an uphill battle. But with solid passing techniques, you can dictate the pace, tire out your opponent, and create submission opportunities.
Mastering guard passing as a white belt
Passing the guard is one of the most important skills you'll develop in BJJ. It's not just about getting past someone's legs, it's about control, pressure, and patience. These seven passing techniques will give you a strong foundation for developing a well-rounded top game.
Key takeaways:
- Always establish grips before attempting a pass.
- Use your hips and weight rather than just upper body strength.
- Focus on pressure and control to prevent guard recovery.
- Be patient—forcing a pass often leads to mistakes and sweeps.
- Drill passes frequently to improve efficiency in live sparring.
By consistently working on these fundamental passes, you'll gain confidence in your top game and set a strong foundation for your BJJ journey. Remember, passing is just as important as sweeping, you need to be comfortable on both top and bottom to develop a complete game.
For more detailed guides on passing and other techniques, check out our technique library.