How to Pass the Guard in Mixed Martial Arts

When watching mixed martial-arts fights, you often hear commentators refer to "passing the guard." This is switching position from a full guard, in which you are trapped between your opponent's legs, to a more advantageous position to the side of your opponent. This is extremely important in mixed martial arts. In full guard, you are on top of your opponent, but he has his legs wrapped around you. It is difficult to submit or strike an experienced opponent in this position. To do real damage, you must pass the guard.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Place both hands on your opponent's biceps and raise your body. This prevents him from holding you down or hitting you while you move away. Keep your head up and your back straight.

2. Lift one leg so you are on one foot and one knee. Plant your foot fairly wide as you turn your opposite hip into your opponent. The hip turn is important in that it enables you to open a gap in your opponent's guard. Maintain a straight back and a raised head while holding down your opponent's biceps.

3. Slip your arm through the gap in a single, quick motion. The gap will be next to your raised knee. Use the arm on the same side as that knee. This motion must be very fast. When you move your hand, you are releasing one of your opponent's arms. You must get your arm through the gap before he can hit you in the face. If you find you cannot get your hand through the gap in one motion, abandon the technique. Do not sit there and try to force your arm. Your opponent will pound you mercilessly.

4. Grab your ankle with the hand that just passed through the gap. Lower your level by dropping your hips. Do not bend over or arch your back. Slide your foot with the hand attached outward. Do not pick your foot off the floor, or your opponent will roll you over. Slide the leg so you maintain your balance. As your leg slides out, your opponent's guard will break. His legs will come apart.

5. Move your shoulder beneath your opponent's leg as you reach across his body. Use the hand that is beneath your opponent's leg to grab his opposite shoulder. Your arm should be across your opponent's face. Move through this position quickly, since you are susceptible to a triangle choke here.

6. Drive forward with your legs while you pull with your hand. This raises your opponent's leg and "stacks" him. He is essentially helpless in this position.

7. Slip your head under your opponent's leg as you walk around to the side. You have now passed the guard, and are in an advantageous side control position.

Tips & Warnings

• This "passing the guard" maneuver must be done quickly. There are several points at which you are vulnerable to dangerous counterattacks. If you cannot perform the guard pass in one swift motion, stop and try something else.

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