Passing
Blue
The BJJ Torreando Pass: Your Guide to Dynamic Guard Passing
๐ฅ Blue Belt
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Intermediate
The Torreando Pass is a highly effective and dynamic Guard Pass in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, known for its speed and agility. It involves using leg controls and upper body movement to quickly circle around your opponent's guard, creating angles to secure a dominant side control or knee-on-belly position. This pass is a staple for many top competitors due to its versatility and ability to bypass various guard types.
Technique Map
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Passing["Passing"]:::catNode
Passing --> Torreando_Pass
Torreando_Pass["Torreando Pass"]:::currentNode
Torreando_Pass -.-> Guard_Pass["Guard Pass"]:::relNode
Torreando_Pass -.-> Knee_Slice_Pass["Knee Slice Pass"]:::relNode
Torreando_Pass -.-> Leg_Drag_Pass["Leg Drag Pass"]:::relNode
Torreando_Pass -.-> Headquarters_Pass["Headquarters Pass"]:::relNode
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classDef relNode fill:#141926,stroke:#1f2840,color:#a78bfa
classDef catNode fill:#1f2840,stroke:#7c6af7,color:#7c6af7,font-style:italic
How to Execute
1
Step 1: Establish Grips & Posture. Begin by standing with good posture, securing strong grips on your opponent's pant knees or shins, keeping your elbows tight.
2
Step 2: Clear One Leg. Push one of your opponent's legs forcefully down and to the side with one hand, creating an opening. Simultaneously, take a large step to that same side.
3
Step 3: Circle & Drive. Immediately circle around the cleared leg, maintaining pressure and using your other hand to control the opponent's opposite leg or hip, preventing them from recovering guard.
4
Step 4: Head Position & Pressure. Keep your head low and close to your opponent's hip or chest as you move, driving your weight forward and into them to negate their ability to bridge or sweep.
5
Step 5: Secure Dominant Position. Once past the legs, promptly transition to a dominant top position such as side control or knee-on-belly, maintaining tight pressure and eliminating any space for re-guarding.
Key Details & Tips
1
Maintain Strong Posture: A wide base and upright posture are crucial to prevent sweeps and maintain balance throughout the pass.
2
Aggressive Footwork: The Torreando relies heavily on quick, agile footwork and decisive lateral movement to bypass the guard.
3
Head Position is Key: Keep your head glued to your opponent's body (hip or chest) as you pass; this prevents them from posturing up or creating space to recover.
4
Common Mistake: Not committing fully to the circle, which allows the opponent to easily re-guard or initiate a sweep.
Variations
1
Torreando to Knee-on-Belly: After clearing the legs, immediately transition to a high-pressure knee-on-belly position.
2
Torreando to Back Take: If your opponent turns away to escape the pass, use their momentum to transition directly to their back.
3
Torreando to Leg Drag: By driving one leg completely across, you can transition into a powerful leg drag pass setup.
When to Use
The Torreando Pass is highly effective when your opponent is playing an open guard, especially guards that rely on distance management like spider guard, de la Riva, or a loose Butterfly Guard. It works best when standing or when your opponent attempts to establish grips from a seated position, allowing you to exploit their leg dexterity with quick, circular movements.
Counters & Defenses
1
Strong Knee Shields & Frames: Opponents can block the initial leg clear by maintaining strong knee shields and using their arms to frame against your chest.
2
Hip Escapes & Re-guarding: Aggressive hip escapes (shrimping) combined with smart leg placement can recover distance and allow the opponent to re-establish their guard.
3
Sweeps from Guard: As you commit to the pass, a savvy opponent might anticipate the movement and initiate a sweep, such as a butterfly sweep or a tripod sweep, leveraging your forward momentum against you.
โ๏ธ Training Safety & Performance
Q: What is the primary goal of the Torreando Pass in BJJ?
The primary goal of the Torreando Pass is to quickly and dynamically bypass your opponent's leg-based guard, clearing their legs to establish a dominant top position like Side Control or knee-on-belly, thereby neutralizing their offensive capabilities from the bottom.
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