Street-smart Guard Passing Playbook

Practical guard passing for real-world self-defense situations! Focuses on reading what THEY give you & OPENINGS to achieve dominant positions where you can control or finish the fight. Every technique is designed to work against resisting opponents who are trying to defend or counter

Flow outline

  1. Passing System

    • From here, the foundation of controlling a fight from the top. isn't sport jiu-jitsu - it's about systematically breaking through an opponent's guard to get to positions where you can inflict damage or secure a submission in a real altercation

  2. Open Guard

    • When your opponent has their legs between you but isn't fully closed. is where most street fights end up - you need to pass quickly before they can sweep or submit you. Recognize their reactions and exploit them immediately

  3. Butterfly Guard

    • from here, a dangerous position where your opponent has hooks inside your thighs. in a street fight, gives them leverage to sweep you onto concrete. you need to control their legs and pass before they can elevate you

  4. JT Torres Knee Slice Pass

    • From here, from here, a high-percentage pass that works against resisting opponents. you slice your knee through their butterfly guard while controlling their upper body. gets you to side control where you can strike or submit

  5. Bodylock Pass

    • If they frame, from here, when you lock your arms around their torso from butterfly guard. gives you complete control - you can lift and slam them if needed, or pass to a dominant position where you can finish the fight

  6. Leg Drag

    • usually a fundamental passing position where you've dragged one of their legs across your body. limits their mobility and sets up multiple passing options. control is key here - don't let them recover

  7. Side Bodylock

    • From here, if it shows up, a controlling position from the side where you have your arms locked around their torso. prevents them from turning into you and gives you options to pass to mount or take the back in a real fight

  8. Kneebar

    • A fight-ending leg attack. When your opponent exposes their leg while trying to defend, attack the knee joint immediately. In a street situation, can disable an opponent quickly

  9. Dive For Guillotine

    • From here, from here, when your opponent leaves their neck exposed while trying to defend. shoot for the guillotine choke immediately - in a real fight, can end things quickly if you get it tight. angle matters

  10. Duck Under Pass

    • from here, when your opponent lifts a leg, duck under it to get to their back or side. is a fundamental self-defense pass - get to a dominant position where you can control them

  11. Side Bodylock

    • From here, Same as previous Side Bodylock - a controlling position that limits your opponent's options and sets up your next move in a real altercation

  12. High Mount

    • Most of the time The most dominant top position. You're sitting high on their chest with your knees in their armpits. From here you can strike effectively or set up submissions that will end the fight

  13. Double Under Pass

    • Key detail: most of the time when your opponent lifts both legs, get double underhooks on their legs. gives you complete control - you can pass to side control or mount where you can finish the fight

  14. Side Bodylock

    • Once set, same controlling position - essential for street effectiveness. lock their torso and control the situation

  15. Knee Cut Pass

    • Quick note: A fundamental passing technique where you cut your knee through their guard. works against resisting opponents and gets you to dominant positions where you can control or finish

  16. Mount

    • Often One of the most dominant positions in a fight. You're on top of their chest with your legs hooked. From here you can strike with power or secure fight-ending submissions

  17. Side Bodylock

    • Key detail: from here, consistent controlling position - essential for real fights where you need to limit your opponent's options

  18. Headquarters

    • Key detail: a controlling position where you're standing with one knee up and one down. gives you options to pass based on how your opponent reacts. stay balanced and ready to capitalize on their movements

  19. Knee Pass

    • If it shows up, Using knee pressure to pass the guard. is effective against resisting opponents - drive your knee through their defenses to achieve a dominant position

  20. Serving The Dish

    • Key detail: most of the time a specific passing position where you've controlled their legs in a particular configuration. sets up your next move - either pass to side control or attack a submission

  21. 3/4 Mount

    • Quick note: A controlling position between side control and full mount. You have one knee across their body. is effective for controlling a resisting opponent while setting up strikes or submissions

Branch conditions