Guard Passing – Submission Grappling
by Alex Deneka and Andrew Green

The following is to outline some basic principles of breaking and passing a closed guard in submission Grappling. The following is NOT designed for MMA or NHB, it is strictly for submission grappling.

First you must break the guard before you can pass it (providing it is a closed guard) after that 3 basic methods of passing exist, going under a leg, over a leg, or around the legs. One method of each is shown.

First is what we call the 5 step guard break. Important to note that these steps MUST be done in order and if at any point you lose a step you must start back at step one or you are open to counters. All of the details we have listed are there for that very specific reason, not doing them opens you up to something else so take your time and be as deliberate and accurate in your motions as possible.

5 Step Guard Break

1. Get into proper posture.

• Head in chest pushing down into the solar plexus. This will help keep your opponent flat on his back, and your head will be anchored, helping to avoid many Sweeps, chokes, locks, etc.

• Place your hands on the opponents biceps, your elbows should stay on the floor and keep their elbows away from their body and on the floor.

• Keep your hips low, butt on your heels. Keep a wide base with your knees outside their hips. The tops of your feet should be flat on the floor.

2. Keeping your head in your opponents chest move both of your hands in unison to their hips. Push down on their hips keeping them flat on the floor. Remember to keep downward pressure with your head. Your elbows should be in, squeezing slightly on the outside of there legs.

3. Jam your right knee into the opponents tailbone, your lower leg lined up straight with their spine. Again, make sure you maintain downward pressure with your head, this is important and often neglected. Stick your left leg out and slightly behind you out of reach of the opponent, your foot should be flat on the floor and your leg slightly bent.

4. Keeping the hips pinned to the floor sit up. Your weight needs to be between your knees, so if you where to draw a straight line from your right hip to the floor it would not fall outside your knee. Bring your body vertical and slip your elbows inside their thighs.

5. Using your right knee as a wedge, and your elbows to separate the legs, sit down on your heel. It is very important to keep their hips pinned flat to the floor though out this whole process. At this point their feet should unhook.

Under the leg pass

1. Underhook your opponent’s right leg with your left arm and place it back on his hip. Both your arms should be locked straight and his ankle on your shoulder. Regain control of his hips and keep them flat on the floor. Maintain good posture by keeping your head up.

2. Drive your weight forward stacking him up, you want to try and push his knee to the opposite shoulder.

3. Rotate to the side clearing their leg with your head. Place your left arm under their head so that their head is in your elbow. Your right elbow should be on the floor outside their hip, and your head down. Tuck your knees into them, one in the armpit, the other at the hip and press your hips to the floor.

Over the leg pass

1. Your right knee comes up the centre, and your left leg tucks back in, knee out, foot under you. You need to slide your elbows inside their legs so that you can push them forward and outwards, but keep your hands inside to maintain control.

2. Drive your right knee to the floor; keep your shin across their upper thigh near the hip. Your foot should still be on the ground pinning their leg. Bring your upper body and head down and reach your right hand under their head.

3. Keeping yourself low swing your left leg over your right. You want to have your legs wide and your hips on the ground.

4. Pull your right leg under you and establish proper posture.

Around the legs pass

1. Place your hands on their lower shins and push them into their body.

2. Jump to your feet and drive their knees to their chest and heels to their butt. You want to have their butt off the floor slightly, this should cause them to push back, even if slightly.

3. Pull their legs straight hard and fast while stepping around them in a semi circle so that your knee ends up in their stomach. Your right hand should go outside their left hip and your left hand under their head. Your knee is used to prevent them from recovering guard.

4. Slide your knee to the floor and drop yourself into proper side mount position.

About the Authors
Alex Deneka – Has been involved in martial arts for approximately three years.  She began assisting in coaching children’s classes almost a year ago and has recently become a full coach in children’s classes and has begun doing the same in adult classes. 

Andrew Green - Has been involved in martial arts for approximately 15 years and currently runs East Winnipeg Martial Arts.