Smash Pass

The Smash Pass is a pressure-heavy Guard Pass that focuses on pinning and flattening your opponent’s Guard by neutralizing their Frames and isolating their hips. The primary goal is to immobilize the opponent’s lower body and systematically clear their legs, preventing guard recovery or sweeps. It’s particularly effective against Half Guard and Z Guard, but it can also be adapted for other guard scenarios.

Goals of the Smash Pass

Flatten the Opponent

  • Use Pressure to eliminate their ability to create angles or mobility.

Control the Hips and Legs

  • Pin their legs and isolate their hips to prevent guard recovery.

Pass the Guard

  • Methodically clear their legs and establish dominant control, such as Side Control or Mount.

Steps for the Smash Pass

Engage the Guard

  • Establish grips on the opponent’s legs or hips, such as Pant Grips or C-Grip Sleeve Grip.
  • Maintain a strong Base and low posture to deny them space or elevation.

Flatten the Opponent

  • Use a Crossface or shoulder pressure to pin their upper body and prevent movement.
  • Drive your weight into their hips and legs, forcing their knees to the mat or stacking them toward their chest.

Pin and Control the Legs

  • Use your body or grips to pin one or both legs to the mat or together.
  • Your hips should remain heavy to keep their lower body immobilized.

Shift Your Weight and Angle

  • Adjust your hips to one side, stacking your weight onto their legs to trap them.
  • Keep your Weight Distribution heavy and consistent to prevent them from framing or recovering.

Clear the Legs

Establish Dominant Control

  • Secure a strong Crossface or Underhook to consolidate your position and prevent escapes.

Key Concepts for Success

Pressure Application

  • The Smash Pass relies heavily on Pressure through your chest, hips, and shoulders. Keep your opponent pinned and uncomfortable.

Hip and Leg Isolation

  • Controlling their hips and legs is crucial for eliminating their ability to recover Guard.

Patience

  • This pass is methodical. Avoid rushing and focus on systematically breaking their defensive Frames.

Variations of the Smash Pass

Two-Leg Smash

  • Stack and pin both of the opponent’s legs together, then pass around them.

One-Leg Smash

  • Focus on isolating one leg while using your weight to pin the other to the mat, creating an opening to pass.

Side Switch Smash

  • If the opponent defends one side, switch your hips and pressure to the opposite side to open new passing opportunities.

Common Mistakes

Insufficient Pressure

  • Without tight Pressure, the opponent can create space, recover guard, or attack sweeps and submissions.

Leaning Too Far Forward

  • Overcommitting your weight can expose you to sweeps or allow the opponent to off-balance you.

Neglecting Upper Body Control

  • Failing to control the opponent’s shoulders or head allows them to shrimp or reestablish Frames.

Strategy

Tip

The Smash Pass is most effective when paired with relentless Pressure and strategic Problem Solving. Stay tight, heavy, and patient to break down your opponent’s guard defenses!

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