Completing the Pass – Getting Past Those Dangerous Legs (Part 2 of 4)

John Danaher once stated that “getting past those dangerous legs” was a major step in Passing the Guard. So let’s pick up where we left off a week ago with some technical principles to help understand what’s needed for good passing.

#4) EXPOSING THE HIPS OR BACK

· Two main goals which cannot be ignored when passing are exposing the opponent’s hips to control them, or to expose their back

· Controlling the hips helps limit movement options normally available to our opponent

· Exposing the opponent’s back gives us the option to take it, or simply allows us to disguise our intentions since the opponent can’t see what we’re doing

#5) LEGS PAST MIDLINE

· This concept will work against most Guards

· Focus on the opponent’s legs and hip to complete your pass

· The idea is to get the opponent’s legs/hip from one side of you to the other (i.e. Leg Drag)

· Then apply the remaining passing principles to finish

#6) KILL THE LEGS

· Use this idea for extra security, but it should be applied constantly

· As a general rule, once you control the opponent’s hips, then control their legs (and vice- versa)

· Doing this also helps with preventing the opponent from Shrimping

· Use an Arm Weave between the opponent’s legs, or get an overhook on the near leg to also help prevent Shrimping

#7) DEFEATING THE SHIN

· It’s very common for an opponent to get their shin across your body to stop your pass or retain their Guard off of their back

· What are some ideas you can use in this situation?

o Use your arm to block their hip

o Grab their toes and push their foot towards their butt while using your other hand to push on their knee

o Use a body twist instead of a knee push to complete the pass

o Use your arm to hook their foot as you grab under their far thigh

o Use your lead shoulder to apply pressure into their chest

· Always replace your knee/arm next to their hip once the pass is complete

Learn. Drill. Roll. TRANSFORM!