Half guard passing: Passing with head-and-arm control - Get to mount without getting reversed
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Half Stack Pass·Mads H. BJJ
In this video, I cover how to finish the standard crossface and underhook guard pass into a stable side control. From si…
Half Stack Pass
SubFamilyハーフ・Stack・パス(Half Stack Pass)
Translation: half stack pass
Overview
The Half Stack Pass combines stacking pressure with half guard passing, using the opponent's folded position to create space to extract the trapped leg. [1]
Stack Half Guard Pass
History & Origin
Half Stack Pass is a technique documented in BJ Penn's comprehensive MMA system. [1]
Effectiveness
Proven in UFC-level competition by BJ Penn and training partners. [1]
Lineage
Modern MMA methodology; BJ Penn / Greg Jackson lineage. [1]
Competition Record
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — MMA-specific positional mechanics for Half Stack Pass
Joints Involved — Full body — hips, shoulders, legs
Force Vector — Position-specific
Position & Entry
From MMA context — Execute half stack pass
Variants
Standard Half Stack Pass
Modified Half Stack Pass
Videos
Half Stack Pass Closed Guard BJJ
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Half Stack Pass·World Fighting Arts LA
http://worldfightingartsla.com Founder and Instructor of World Fighting Arts, Triet Vo, demonstrates the Half Stack Pas…
Passing Half Guard by John Danaher
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Half Stack Pass·Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics
Passing Half Guard - Click Here To Check Out John Danaher's Instructional Videos - https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/…
BASIC IS KING Roger Gracie style half guard pass #nogi #mma
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Half Stack Pass·Dima Murovanni Bjj
Gordon Ryan's Secret to Passing Half Guard in BJJ | From Blue Belt to ADCC Champions
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Half Stack Pass·Gordon Ryan
Brand New Inside Camping Instructional Here: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/new-releases/products/systematically-at…
Atos Online Tech Teaser - 2 Variations of the Stack Pass - Prof. Andre Galvao
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Half Stack Pass·Atos Jiu-Jitsu HQ | World's Best BJJ Academy - Home Page
The stack pass is definitely a technique you must have in your arsenal... but are you doing it right? Check out these tw…
Stack Pass by Andre Galvao
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Half Stack Pass·Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics
Stack Pass by Andre Galvao - Click Here To Check Out Andre Galvao's Instructional Videos - https://bjjfanatics.com/colle…
Getting Over The Knee Shield With Shoulder Following Up With Half Guard by Roger Gracie
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Half Stack Pass·BJJ Fanatics
GETTING OVER THE KNEE SHIELD WITH SHOULDER FOLLOWING UP WITH HALF GUARD https://bjjfanatics.com This sample clip is fr…
Stack Pass: Knee Slide Entry from Double Unders
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Half Stack Pass·Peak Jiu-Jitsu
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9 videosWhat Instructors Say
The half stack pass is a fundamental guard-passing technique used to overcome knee shield and half-guard positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Roger Gracie (BJJ Fanatics) emphasizes the critical importance of forward body lean and shoulder positioning, demonstrating how to drive the shoulder over the opponent's leg while managing the underhook threat by collapsing weight onto the opponent's arm. World Fighting Arts LA provides a complementary approach, detailing the mechanics of slipping one arm underneath while maintaining hip control to prevent the opponent's escape, maintaining upright toe pressure and using a bread-cutter choke as a finishing threat if the position tightens. Both instructors agree on the foundational principle of controlling the opponent's hip and using body weight distribution effectively. John Danaher (Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics) shifts focus to the post-pass phase, describing the three-quarter mountain position with scapular cross-face application and cross-stepping mechanics to advance past half guard. Gordon Ryan addresses practical problem-solving, teaching a transitional switch from top head-and-arm control to head-block cross-face when the opponent's near-side hand creates obstruction, enabling double unders or over-under passes. Collectively, these instructors present the half stack pass as a scalable technique functioning from white belt through elite competition levels.
Synthesized from 4 instructors
- BJJ Fanatics — Getting Over The Knee Shield With Shoulder Following Up With Half Guard by Roger Gracie: Establishes foundational mechanics: forward body lean requirement, shoulder positioning over the leg, underhook threat management through body collapse, hip weight transfer, and arm positioning to prevent opponent escape.
- World Fighting Arts LA — Half Stack Pass Closed Guard BJJ: Details the mechanical execution of slipping one arm underneath while maintaining hip control, simultaneous two-action positioning, toe pressure application, and finishing options including bread-cutter choke threats when the opponent attempts leg defense.
- Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics — Passing Half Guard by John Danaher: Describes post-pass transitional control in three-quarter mountain position using scapular cross-face, knee positioning strategy, backstep mechanics, and knee-to-mat pressure application for guard passage completion.
- Gordon Ryan — Gordon Ryan's Secret to Passing Half Guard in BJJ | From Blue Belt to ADCC Champions: Provides advanced problem-solving for stalled positions, teaching transition from top head-and-arm to head-block cross-face when near-side hand interference occurs, enabling secondary passing options through double unders or over-under control.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Positional technique
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IBJJF — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part ...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Practise in MMA-specific sparring with strikes (Penn et al., 2007)
Common Mistakes
!Losing base
!Not maintaining control
!Poor transitions
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Engagement → Half Stack Pass → Advance position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge (Penn, Cordoza & Krauss, 2007)
1Book[1] Penn, B.J., Cordoza, G. and Krauss, E. (2007). Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9777315-6-5.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Penn, B
2Citation[1] Penn, B.J., Cordoza, G. and Krauss, E. (2007). Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9777315-6-5.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Penn, B
Community
Athletics
MMA-specific body control and pressure
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from reversing me when I'm in the half guard pass?
Keep your head tight to your opponent and avoid leaning too far forward, as this allows them to bridge you over their shoulder. Mads H. BJJ emphasizes maintaining a tight head-and-arm control position and sitting your weight back toward your butt rather than staying upright, which makes it difficult for your partner to roll you over.
What's the best way to control and free my leg when passing the half guard?
Walk your knees to the mat and drag your opponent's knee down to maintain tightness. Then bring your knee high and either punch your foot into their thigh or place your toes inside the pit of their knee to control the leg before walking it free, according to Mads H. BJJ.
How do I transition from half guard to mount position cleanly?
Slide your knee across your opponent's hip, and once your knee hits the mat, slap your foot down and hide it under their butt to prevent them from catching it and putting you back into half guard. Mads H. BJJ notes that you should keep your elbow wide for better base stability during this transition.
What's the main risk when trying to pass over the knee shield?
The underhook is the primary threat—your opponent may try to shoot their arm under yours as you go over the knee. Roger Gracie recommends collapsing your body down to their head the moment you feel their arm going for the underhook.
How does the Half Stack Pass work?
The Half Stack Pass combines stacking pressure with half guard passing, using the opponent's folded position to create space to extract the trapped leg.
Where does the Half Stack Pass come from?
Half Stack Pass is a technique documented in BJ Penn's comprehensive MMA system.
Is the Half Stack Pass legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; IJF: legal — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part of newaza; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; Unified MMA: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Half Stack Pass?
Danger rating 3/10. Positional technique
How do I set up the Half Stack Pass?
The standard setup chain: Engagement → Half Stack Pass → Advance position.
How do I defend against the Half Stack Pass?
Standard counters include: Guard retention / Frame and escape / Submission counter.
What are the variants of the Half Stack Pass?
Common variants: Standard Half Stack Pass; Modified Half Stack Pass.
How effective is the Half Stack Pass in competition?
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Half Stack Pass?
Top errors to watch for: Losing base / Not maintaining control / Poor transitions.
What are other names for the Half Stack Pass?
The Half Stack Pass is also known as Half Stack Pass, Stack Half Guard Pass.