Half Guard (Top) Passing Techniques
3 TECHNIQUESHalf guard passing techniques free your trapped leg and advance you to dominant top positions.
Browse 3 passing techniques from half guard (top) below. Each technique includes video demonstrations from world-class instructors.
Passing the knee shield
How to pass half guard
Smash pass
Passing the knee shield OPEN | LG Lachlan Giles |
How to pass half guard OPEN | JP Jordan Preisinger |
Smash pass OPEN | GJ Craig Jones |
More passing techniques
About half guard (top) passing techniques
Passing the half guard is one of the most common challenges in BJJ. Your opponent has one of your legs trapped and is fighting for underhooks and sweeps. Your job is to neutralize their guard and advance to side control or mount.
The knee slide pass is the most fundamental half guard pass. Crossface your opponent, free your knee to the mat, and slide through to side control. The key is getting your opponent flat on their back before you start sliding. If they stay on their side, they can recover.
When the knee slide is blocked, backstep passes and leg weave passes give you alternative angles. Each pass targets a different defensive reaction. Build a passing chain so you always have a follow-up when your first attempt is defended.
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