Guard passing is always tricky. Most guard passes require you to get grips with your hands, but if you’re reaching for your opponent then there’s always the chance that he can tie up your arms and take you over.
This weekend I just put up a video I shot with Erin Herle on a style of guard passing that uses from the headquarters guard passing position where you use your legs, chest and bodyweight to control your opponent’s legs as you pass.
This style of passing allows you to keep your hands free, which in turn allows you to post on the ground if your opponent starts off-balancing or sweeping you.
She calls this the “Shamu” or the “skydiver” pass because of how you position your body to effortlessly float past your opponent’s legs into side control.
It’s pretty damn cool, and I haven’t seen this move broken down before.
Stephan
P.S. Check out my in-depth interview with Erin Herle on smashing mental barriers in BJJ. This was episode 411 of my podcast, The Strenuous Life Podcast. Erin is a certified mental performance coach, so this is very good material!