{"id":1768,"date":"2026-03-05T02:19:46","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T02:19:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/taipeibjj.com\/bjj-guard-passing-techniques\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T15:42:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T15:42:35","slug":"bjj-guard-passing-techniques","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/taipeibjj.com\/zh\/bjj-guard-passing-techniques\/","title":{"rendered":"BJJ Guard Passing: 7 Techniques to Pass Any Guard"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guard passing is the single most important skill that separates recreational BJJ players from serious competitors. You can have the sharpest submissions in your academy, but if you can’t get past someone’s legs, you’ll spend every round stuck in a stalemate \u2014 or worse, getting swept and submitted from below.<\/p>\n

Whether you train in Taipei, Tokyo, or Texas, guard passing is universal. Every BJJ practitioner on the planet needs a reliable system to navigate through the legs and reach dominant positions like side control, mount, or the back. This guide breaks down seven battle-tested guard passing techniques that work at every belt level, from fresh white belts to seasoned black belts competing at the highest stages.<\/p>\n

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Consistent drilling is the foundation of effective guard passing in BJJ<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why Guard Passing Matters More Than You Think<\/h2>\n

In competition BJJ under IBJJF rules<\/a>, passing the guard earns you 3 points \u2014 more than a takedown (2 points) and equal to mounting your opponent. But the real value goes beyond the scoreboard. Once you pass someone’s guard, you’ve broken their primary defensive structure. From side control or mount, your submission options multiply while theirs shrink dramatically.<\/p>\n

In MMA, the importance is even more pronounced. A fighter who can’t pass guard from inside the closed guard burns energy, eats elbows from the bottom, and risks getting stood up by the referee. Wrestling’s dominance in modern MMA<\/a> is partly due to wrestlers’ natural ability to pass guard through relentless pressure and body positioning \u2014 skills that translate directly from the wrestling mat to the cage.<\/p>\n

The guard is the gatekeeper. Passing it is the key to everything else.<\/p>\n

1. The Knee Cut Pass (Knee Slice)<\/h2>\n

The knee cut is the most popular guard pass at every level of competitive BJJ, and for good reason. It’s fast, it generates enormous pressure, and it works against almost every style of guard \u2014 from closed guard to half guard to De La Riva.<\/p>\n

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The knee cut pass is a high-percentage technique used by BJJ champions worldwide<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How to Execute the Knee Cut<\/h3>\n

Start by establishing a strong cross-face grip with one hand controlling your opponent’s far collar or shoulder. Your other hand grips their bottom knee or pants at the shin. Drive your lead knee across their thigh, angling it toward the mat on the far side of their hip. The key detail most beginners miss: your hips need to stay heavy and low. Don’t raise up \u2014 slice through like a blade on a flat plane.<\/p>\n

As your knee travels across, use your cross-face to turn their head away from you. This kills their ability to re-guard or create frames. Finish by clearing your trailing leg free from any hooks and settling into side control with a strong underhook.<\/p>\n

Common Mistakes<\/h3>\n