Why Guard Pass Counters Are Essential in BJJ and MMA
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and mixed martial arts (MMA), maintaining guard control is a cornerstone of bottom-game strategy. However, skilled opponents will relentlessly attempt to pass your guard to advance to dominant positions like side control or mount. When a pass succeeds, panic can set in—but not if you know smart recoveries. Black belt Theodoro Canal shares a brilliant counter that flips the script, allowing you to regain initiative without relying on basic shrimping or framing alone.
This technique shines in gi and no-gi scenarios, making it versatile for BJJ practitioners, wrestlers transitioning to grappling, and MMA fighters defending takedowns on the mat. Whether you're drilling in the gym or competing, mastering counters like this builds resilience and unpredictability. Pair it with quality gear—a snug rash guard and durable shorts from Apollo MMA—to focus purely on technique without distractions.
The Setup: Facing a Guard Pass
Picture this: You've been playing open guard, perhaps De La Riva or butterfly, baiting your partner to commit to a pass. They smash through, landing in a tight side control or knee-on-belly position. Your hips are flattened, and their posture is solid. Standard responses like elbow escapes or underhooks might fail against pressure passers.
Theodoro Canal's counter targets this exact moment. It exploits the passer's momentary overextension, using leverage from your legs and core to off-balance them. This isn't a high-risk scramble; it's calculated, with clear checkpoints for success. Ideal for white belts building fundamentals or black belts refining their arsenal.
Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Counter
Follow along closely—Canal's move requires precise timing, but repetition in positional sparring makes it instinctive. Visualize or drill with a partner wearing standard BJJ attire: gi for grip emphasis or no-gi for speed.
Step 1: Posture and Hip Escape
As the pass lands, don't freeze. Immediately shrimp your hips away from their pressure (away from the side they're controlling). Unlike traditional framing on the neck or triceps, plant your near-side hand firmly on their far hip. This creates space and prevents them from flattening you completely.- Key Tip: Explode the shrimp explosively—think Muay Thai clinch breaks for power. Your free hand grips their sleeve or wrist to control their posting arm.
Step 2: Leg Swing Initiation
With space created, swing your top leg (the one away from their body) high over their head. Aim for a figure-four lock around their neck or shoulder. Your bottom leg drives into their hip or thigh to block weight transfer.This leg swing is the magic—it's faster than a standard guard recovery because it attacks directly. In MMA contexts, this mirrors wrestling guillotines or anaconda chokes, blending seamlessly with striking transitions.
Step 3: Back Take or Submission Entry
As your leg wraps, pull their head down with your elbow or forearm while bridging your hips upward. Canal prefers entering the back take: Rotate your body to secure hooks on their far side, collar tie if gi available.- Option A: Back Control – If they posture up to escape, insert your second hook and flatten for the seatbelt grip. From here, attack with rear-naked chokes or body triangles.
- Option B: Armbar Threat – If they defend the back, extend their arm across your body for a straight armbar. The leg over their head isolates it perfectly.
Step 4: Consolidation and Flow
Once hooks are in, shrimp to three-quarter mount on their back. Maintain chest-to-back pressure to thwart escapes. Transition to full mount or take the back fully if they turtle.Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Lazy Shrimping: Half-hearted hip escapes let them recover posture. Commit fully!
- Poor Leg Placement: Swinging too low misses the head—elevate high like threading a needle.
- Neglecting Grips: Without hip control, they smash back down. Practice grip fighting from inferior positions.
Drilling and Progression Tips
Build this counter progressively:
1. Static Drills: Partner holds side control; practice the shrimp-leg swing 10x per side.
2. Flow Rolling: Start in guard pass, flow into the counter without resistance, then add speed.
3. Live Resistance: Full sparring from passed guard—use only this counter for 5 minutes.
Incorporate into your game: Chain it with X-guard recoveries or leg entanglements for wrestling-heavy MMA styles. Kickboxers and Muay Thai fighters will love the explosive hip movement, akin to teeps from bottom.
Gear Recommendations for Drilling:
- Rash Guards: Friction-free for no-gi slides—grab breathable ones at Apollo MMA.
- Gis: For gi variations, choose reinforced knee patches to withstand passes.
- Mouthguards and Spats: Protect during intense bridging; essential for comp prep.
Real-World Applications Across Combat Sports
- BJJ Tournaments: Counters like this neutralize pressure passers (e.g., Mendes brothers style), buying time for sweeps.
- MMA: Post-takedown defense—use to reverse into top position before ground-and-pound.
- Wrestling: Enhances ankle pick counters or single-leg defenses.
- No-Gi Submission Grappling: Adapts easily without collars, flowing to Darces or guillotines.
Theodoro Canal, a seasoned competitor, emphasizes patience: "Wait for the pass, then strike." Videos of him rolling show this in action against elite opposition.
Advanced Variations and Follow-Ups
Once mastered:
- Stack Counter: If they stack during your leg swing, underhook their leg for a kneebar.
- Same-Side Pass Defense: Mirror for torreando passes—swing the opposite leg.
- Combo with Guard Retention: Pre-load with knee shields to force predictable passes.
Record your drills to self-analyze angles. Over time, this becomes reflexive, elevating your bottom game.
Ready to level up? Browse Apollo MMA's collection of premium BJJ gear and apparel designed for grapplers. Train smart, stay safe, and dominate from guard.
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