Passing
White

Headquarters Pass: A White Belt's Biomechanical Guide

The Headquarters Pass is initiated from a standing or kneeling position against an opponent's guard, aiming to establish Side Control.

White belts often struggle by relying on brute force or poor weight distribution, leading to loss of balance.

The key insight is creating a stable base and using your hips to drive through, rather than just pushing with your arms.

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Contents

Grips & Mechanics

Secure a cross-collar grip with your right hand, palm facing down, thumb inside the lapel. Your left hand grabs the opponent's left sleeve, palm facing you.
Step your right foot forward, placing it outside the opponent's left hip, creating a 45-degree angle between your torsos.
Lower your base by bending your knees, ensuring your hips are lower than the opponent's hips.
Initiate a forward weight transfer by driving your hips towards the opponent's body, keeping your chest close.
Use your right foot to pivot, bringing it further outside their hip as you drive forward.
With your left hand, control the opponent's sleeve, preventing them from re-establishing guard or framing.
Drive your right shoulder into the opponent's chest or shoulder, creating pressure and breaking their posture.
As you pass their legs, step your left foot forward and secure side control by placing your left knee on the mat and your left hip on their torso.

⚠️ White Belt Warnings

Pushing with straight arms: This overloads the elbow joint, risking hyperextension and UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) tears, especially when the opponent resists with their legs. Instead, keep elbows slightly bent and drive with your hips.
Standing too upright: This creates a large target for sweeps and makes it difficult to generate forward pressure, potentially leading to a fall and knee hyperextension if the opponent pulls your leg. Maintain a low, stable base.
Gripping too high on the sleeve: This allows the opponent to easily pull their arm out or use it to frame, negating your control and potentially causing wrist sprains from sudden pulling forces. Grip lower on the forearm or wrist area.

Drill Progressions

Solo drill: Practice the footwork and hip drive motion without a partner. 10 reps per side.
Partner drill (no resistance): Opponent lies on their back, you practice the steps and grips. 5 reps per side.
Partner drill (light resistance): Opponent offers minimal resistance, allowing you to feel the movement. 5 reps per side.
Controlled drilling: Opponent actively tries to prevent the pass but allows you to complete it. 3 reps per side.
Flow rolling (light): Focus on executing the pass when the opportunity arises, with 50% resistance. 5 minutes.
Live rolling: Attempt the pass during sparring with 90-100% resistance.

When to Use & Counters

WHEN TO ATTEMPT:
When the opponent attempts a closed guard and you have established a solid base.
When the opponent opens their guard and you have an opportunity to create space.
When the opponent is on their back and you are in a position to advance past their legs.
PRIMARY COUNTERS:
Leg Pummel: If the opponent tries to bring their leg across your body, immediately pummel your leg to the outside and maintain your base to prevent them from hooking you.
Framing with Forearms: If the opponent attempts to push your head down, create frames with your forearms between their chest and yours to maintain distance and posture.
Hip Escape and Re-Guard: If they successfully pass your initial attempt, immediately hip escape and try to re-establish guard or a defensive position.

Common BJJ Problems & FAQ

Q: Why does my shoulder hurt when I try the Headquarters Pass?

Shoulder pain often occurs if you are pushing too much with your upper body and not using your hips effectively. This can lead to your shoulder joint being leveraged incorrectly against the opponent's body or limbs. Focus on driving your hips forward and keeping your chest close to their torso, using your shoulder as a point of contact for pressure rather than a primary pushing force.

Q: How can I use the Headquarters Pass against a much larger opponent?

Against a larger opponent, leverage and precise angles are paraMount. Instead of trying to power through, focus on getting your hips lower than theirs and creating a tight 45-degree angle. Use your grips to control their posture and break it down, then drive your hips into their body to create the necessary space to pass. Avoid allowing them to build a strong base against you.

Q: When is the best time to transition from a collar-grip to a sleeve-grip in the Headquarters Pass?

The transition from the collar grip to the sleeve grip is fluid and dependent on the opponent's reaction. Typically, as you begin to step your first leg outside their hip and drive your hips forward, you'll use your sleeve hand to control their arm and prevent them from framing or pulling it back. This grip helps maintain their posture breakdown as you begin to commit to the pass.