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Pressure Passing

Quick Introduction​

Pressure passing is the methodical approach to guard passing that prioritizes control over speed. By pinning the opponent's hips and gradually advancing through their defensive lines, pressure passing exchanges velocity for security. This style excels against athletic, flexible opponents who rely on movement and creates a grinding, exhausting battle where proper weight distribution and patience trump explosiveness.

Technique Overview​

Style: Guard Passing - Pressure-based

Best against: Mobile guards, flexible opponents, spider/lasso guard, smaller/faster players

Leads to: Side control, mount, knee on belly

Pressure Passing Main Variations​

🎯 Over-Under Pass (Fundamental Pressure Pass)​

Objective

Isolate one leg over your shoulder while controlling the other leg under your arm; pin hips to mat and advance to side control

Main Characteristic

One leg elevated (over shoulder), one leg controlled low (under arm); creates maximum hip immobilization with chest pressure driving opponent flat

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Start facing opponent's guard (open or closed)
  2. Break guard or create opening to access legs
  3. Place one leg over your shoulder (near-side shoulder)
  4. Thread opposite arm under their other leg
  5. Connect hands in figure-four or gable grip at their hip
  6. Drive shoulder into elevated leg while pulling under-leg close
  7. Step same-side leg (as over-leg) back to create angle
  8. Drive chest onto their hips, flattening them to mat
  9. Slide knee across their belly toward far side
  10. Free shoulder from leg, establish crossface
  11. Complete pass to side control with chest-to-chest connection

Critical Details

  • Grip connection at hips is crucial - prevents guard recovery
  • Shoulder pressure drives elevated leg toward their head, limiting mobility
  • Hips stay low and heavy throughout entire pass
  • Step back creates angle that makes recovery impossible
  • Chest pressure must be constant - never let them sit up
  • Head stays low to prevent arm drags and back takes

Tactical Advantage

Extremely high-percentage pass; works on most guard types; creates heavy pressure that exhausts opponents; difficult to counter once established; natural progression to mount if they turn; teaches fundamental pressure concepts

🔒 Double-Under Pass (Stack Pass Foundation)​

Objective

Pass both legs to one side while controlling both legs with your arms; create overwhelming pressure that prevents any recovery

Main Characteristic

Both arms thread under opponent's legs with hands connected; stack their weight onto shoulders to remove hip mobility

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Face opponent in open guard position
  2. Lower your level and thread both arms under their legs
  3. Connect hands together (grip variations: S-grip, gable, figure-four)
  4. Pull their legs tight to your chest
  5. Step up with both feet, elevating their hips
  6. Drive forward, stacking their weight onto shoulders
  7. Walk your feet around to side (choose either direction)
  8. Keep constant pressure driving them into mat
  9. Once perpendicular, slide knee across belly
  10. Free arms and establish side control grips
  11. Complete pressure into side control or knee on belly

Critical Details

  • Hand connection must be tight - loose grip allows escape
  • Stack drives weight onto their shoulders, removing hip function
  • Walking motion around their guard prevents recovery
  • Never lift straight up - stack at angle to prevent rolling
  • Maintain pressure throughout entire circling motion
  • Head position low to prevent guillotine or front headlock

Tactical Advantage

Universal pass that works on almost all guard types; builds pressure passing fundamentals; teaches proper weight distribution; excellent for beginners; forces opponent to carry their own leg weight; creates exhaustion quickly

🌀 Smash Pass / Stack Pass (Advanced Pressure)​

Objective

Collapse guard structure by driving opponent's knees to their chest; advance while they're compressed and unable to extend limbs

Main Characteristic

Explosive forward drive that stacks opponent on shoulders; creates extreme compression that immobilizes defensive structures

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Opponent in half guard or open guard
  2. Establish strong grips on pants/belt or legs
  3. Lower your level and get chest over their hips
  4. Drive forward explosively, forcing knees toward their face
  5. Stack their entire lower body onto shoulders
  6. Trap bottom leg (if in half guard) with your leg
  7. Free your trapped leg while maintaining stack pressure
  8. Step around to side while keeping chest pressure
  9. Smash through any remaining leg barriers
  10. Slide to side control with crossface
  11. Establish dominant position with full weight

Critical Details

  • Timing is critical - stack when they're extended or recovering
  • Drive must be explosive but controlled (not jumping)
  • Maintain balance throughout - don't fall forward
  • Chest drives into their thighs/hips, not knees (injury prevention)
  • Free trapped leg before they can lock it again
  • Immediate crossface prevents guard recovery after pass

Tactical Advantage

Highly effective from half guard; creates mental pressure through physical dominance; excellent when opponent is defensive; builds "smash" mentality useful in competition; combines pressure with brief explosive movement

Important Observations (General Rules)​

Core Principles​

  1. 🎯 Hips low, chest heavy - Weight distribution through chest onto their hips; high hips allow them to move freely
  2. 💪 Constant pressure - Never give breathing room; moment of relief allows escape attempts
  3. ⏱️ Patience over speed - Pressure passing takes time; rushing creates gaps in control
  4. 🔄 Pin then advance - Secure hip control before moving your body to side
  5. 🎮 Base maintenance - Wide stance prevents sweeps; pressure doesn't mean losing balance
  6. 🛡️ Posture awareness - Lower posture for passing, but protect neck from guillotines
  7. 🎯 Grip fighting first - Establish control points before committing bodyweight

Connection to Theories​

Applying core principles:

  • Weight Distribution: Maximum body weight transferred through chest to opponent's hips; immobilizes movement source
  • Space Management: Fill all space to prevent shrimping and recovery; pressure eliminates gaps
  • Table Theory: Remove hip support (main "table leg") to collapse guard structure
  • Block Theory: Use entire body as connected frame pressing downward
  • Maintenance of Support: Constant connection through chest; never release pressure points

Guard-Specific Applications​

Against Closed Guard:

  • Break guard first, then immediately enter pressure pass
  • Over-under works excellently after standing break
  • Double-under requires guard opening first

Against Open Guard:

  • Pressure neutralizes spider/lasso hooks
  • Pin hips before they can establish distance grips
  • Stack pass excellent against seated guards

Against Half Guard:

  • Smash pass specifically designed for half guard
  • Over-under variation with one leg trapped
  • Constant chest pressure prevents lockdown

Against Butterfly Guard:

  • Lower hips to remove butterfly hook effectiveness
  • Over-under traps butterfly hooks
  • Drive forward to prevent elevation sweeps

Common Mistakes​

⚠️ Hips too high - Allows opponent mobility and hip escape; keep hips low and heavy throughout

⚠️ Insufficient chest pressure - Using arms instead of body weight; arms tire quickly, chest pressure lasts

⚠️ Releasing pressure mid-pass - Moment of relief allows guard recovery; maintain constant pressure

⚠️ Poor base - Narrow stance makes you vulnerable to sweeps; wide base provides stability

⚠️ Rushing the finish - Moving to side before hips fully controlled; patience completes the pass

⚠️ Head too high - Vulnerable to arm drags and back takes; keep head low and protected

⚠️ Ignoring grips - Opponent's grips can stall or reverse pass; address grips immediately

⚠️ Stacking too vertical - Straight up allows rolling; stack at angle for better control

🥋 Pressure Passing Entries and Setups​

From Closed Guard​

Setup: Opponent has closed guard locked

Execution:

  1. Stand up in closed guard (careful of sweeps)
  2. Break guard open with proper mechanics
  3. Immediately control both legs
  4. Enter double-under or over-under pass
  5. Don't allow guard to reconstitute

Key Details: Speed of entry after break is critical; opponent tries to re-guard immediately

Tactical Use: Most common pressure passing entry; fundamental skill

From Open Guard​

Setup: Opponent playing spider, lasso, or seated guard

Execution:

  1. Fight grips - break sleeve and collar controls
  2. Lower your level and control their legs/hips
  3. Drive chest forward onto their hips
  4. Enter over-under or double-under position
  5. Complete pressure pass sequence

Key Details: Grip fighting is primary battle; once grips broken, pressure dominates

Tactical Use: Pressure neutralizes distance-based guards; forces close-range battle

From Half Guard Bottom​

Setup: You're passing, one leg trapped in half guard

Execution:

  1. Establish underhook on trapped side
  2. Drive chest forward onto their upper body
  3. Trap bottom leg with your free leg
  4. Stack them onto shoulders
  5. Free trapped leg while maintaining pressure
  6. Complete smash pass to side control

Key Details: Most common entry point; half guard is common recovery position

Tactical Use: Primary half guard passing approach; see Half Guard Passing

From Butterfly Guard​

Setup: Opponent has butterfly hooks engaged

Execution:

  1. Lower hips below their hooks (removes hook leverage)
  2. Control their upper body (collar/head)
  3. Thread arms under legs for double-under
  4. Stack forward to flatten hooks
  5. Circle to side with pressure maintained

Key Details: Low hips prevent butterfly elevation; pressure neutralizes hooks

Tactical Use: Butterfly becomes ineffective under heavy pressure

Combination Entry (Pressure + Speed)​

Setup: Opponent defending pressure pass attempt

Execution:

  1. Begin pressure pass (double-under or over-under)
  2. Opponent creates frames and stiffens defense
  3. Immediately switch to speed pass (torreando or leg drag)
  4. Use their defensive tension against them
  5. Complete pass using speed

Key Details: Advanced tactic; pressure sets up speed; they defend wrong attack

Tactical Use: Keeps opponent guessing; most effective passing combines styles

🎓 Training Progressions​

Solo Drills​

  1. Pressure Passing Motion (10 reps each side)

    • Shadow practice over-under stepping pattern
    • Focus on hip height and chest angle
    • Build muscle memory for movement
    • Visualize opponent under you

  2. Stack Movement Drill (5 minutes)

    • Practice stepping pattern around imaginary opponent
    • Maintain low level throughout
    • Build footwork and balance
    • Simulate pressure maintenance

  3. Grip Fighting Simulation (5 minutes)

    • Practice grip sequences for leg control
    • Break imaginary grips
    • Establish passing grips
    • Mental rehearsal

Partner Drills​

Level 1: Position Establishment (Cooperative)

  • Partner in open guard
  • Practice entering over-under position
  • Focus on proper grips and alignment
  • 10 reps each side
  • No resistance, technical focus

Level 2: Controlled Passing (25%)

  • Partner gives light resistance
  • Complete full pressure pass sequences
  • Focus on maintaining pressure throughout
  • 5 complete passes each side
  • Partner helps you learn

Level 3: Positional Sparring (50%)

  • Start in guard
  • You pass with pressure, they defend
  • Focus on pressure maintenance and patience
  • 3-minute rounds
  • Switch roles

Level 4: Live Passing (100%)

  • Full resistance guard passing
  • Use all pressure passing techniques
  • Deal with grips, frames, and recovery
  • 5-minute rounds
  • Competition simulation

Common Drill Sequences​

Drill 1: Three Pressure Passes Flow

  1. Start in guard
  2. Execute over-under pass → reset
  3. Execute double-under pass → reset
  4. Execute smash pass → reset
  5. 3 complete cycles
  6. Focus on smooth transitions between types

Drill 2: Pressure to Submission

  1. Start in opponent's guard
  2. Execute pressure pass to side control
  3. Maintain pressure and transition to mount
  4. Attack Americana or arm triangle
  5. Complete sequence 5 times

Drill 3: Failed Pass Recovery

  1. Begin pressure pass
  2. Partner creates frame and blocks
  3. Reset pressure and try different angle
  4. Complete pass from new approach
  5. Builds problem-solving skills

Drill 4: Guard Type Adaptation

  1. Partner cycles through guards (closed → open → half → butterfly)
  2. You enter appropriate pressure pass for each
  3. Complete full pass on each guard type
  4. Builds recognition and adaptability
  5. 10-minute continuous flow

See pressure concepts in principles

Progression Timeline​

Following training methods:

  • Week 1-2: Double-under pass fundamentals, grip fighting
  • Week 3-4: Over-under pass, pressure maintenance
  • Week 5-8: Smash pass, combining techniques
  • Month 3-6: Pressure passing becomes automatic, teaching others
  • Month 6+: Advanced timing, competition application

🔧 Troubleshooting Guide​

Problem: They keep recovering guard​

Solution:

  1. Check if you're maintaining constant pressure
  2. Ensure hips stay low throughout pass
  3. Don't move to side before hips fully controlled
  4. Keep chest pressure even during transition
  5. Immediate crossface after pass prevents recovery

Problem: I get swept during pressure pass​

Solution:

  1. Widen your base - feet too close together
  2. Don't overcommit weight forward
  3. Keep head low to prevent arm drags
  4. Address their grips before committing
  5. Balance pressure with stability

Problem: Can't establish initial grips​

Solution:

  1. Improve grip fighting skills
  2. Use feints to create openings
  3. Time grip attempts when they adjust
  4. Break their grips before establishing yours
  5. Lower level to access legs under their grips

Problem: They create frames and push me away​

Solution:

  1. Increase chest pressure (not arm pushing)
  2. Control their elbows, not just push through frames
  3. Change angle of pressure to collapse frames
  4. Stack higher to remove frame effectiveness
  5. Be patient - frames tire them out

Problem: Passing takes too long/I get tired​

Solution:

  1. Use more body weight, less muscle
  2. Breathing must be constant (don't hold breath)
  3. Let gravity do work, not pure strength
  4. Better positioning reduces energy expenditure
  5. Build pressure passing endurance through drilling

Problem: They lock half guard during pass​

Solution:

  1. Address half guard immediately - don't ignore it
  2. Smash pass specifically for this situation
  3. Free leg before fully committing to side
  4. See Half Guard Passing for details
  5. Sometimes easier to finish half guard pass than restart

Problem: Vulnerable to guillotine when passing​

Solution:

  1. Head position - keep it low but not exposed
  2. Pressure through chest, not diving head
  3. Chin tucked, looking toward their hips
  4. Don't reach across their body carelessly
  5. Posture awareness during entry

🎯 Belt-Level Expectations​

White Belt Goals​

Referenced in Beginner's Journey:

  • Understand pressure passing concept (Month 4-5)
  • Basic double-under pass from open guard
  • Maintain chest pressure for 3+ seconds
  • Recognize when pressure pass is appropriate
  • Basic hip control mechanics

Blue Belt Development​

Referenced in Skill Progression:

  • All three main pressure passes functional
  • Consistent pressure maintenance
  • Pass against resisting white belts
  • Grip fighting proficiency
  • Pressure passing becomes go-to style
  • Teaching double-under to beginners

Purple Belt Mastery​

  • Pressure pass against blue/purple resistance
  • Advanced timing and weight distribution
  • Competition-level pressure passing
  • Teaching all pressure variations
  • Style development (pressure specialist potential)
  • Combining pressure with other passing styles
  • Reading when to pressure vs when to speed pass

🎯 Next Steps​

After mastering pressure passing:

  1. Learn speed passing → Speed Passing for versatility
  2. Specialize half guard → Half Guard Passing
  3. Perfect side control → Side Control maintenance after pass
  4. Study guard retention → Guard Dynamics to understand defense
  5. Add submissions → Attack from achieved positions
  6. Competition application → Time pressure passes for points and advantage

🔗 Related Resources​

Guard Passing System​

Positions After Passing​

Guard Types to Pass​

Theoretical Foundation​

Submissions from Passed Position​

Progress Tracking​