TMG Clips #215 - The "No Hands" Pass!!
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No Hand Pass to Mount·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian
What's up guys! In this TMG Clips Video, we go over how to pass the half guard without using your arms to settle into a …
No Hand Pass to Mount
SubFamilyNo・Hand・パス・To・マウント(No Hand Pass to Mount)
Translation: no hand pass to mount
Overview
History & Origin
No Hand Pass to Mount 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 No Hand Pass to Mount
Joints Involved — Full body — hips, shoulders, legs
Force Vector — Position-specific
Position & Entry
From MMA context — Execute no hand pass to mount
Variants
Standard No Hand Pass to Mount
Modified No Hand Pass to Mount
Videos
Coach Brian's "No Hands" Half Guard Pass!
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No Hand Pass to Mount·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian
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"No Hands Pass" Advanced DETAILS!! Must SEE!
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No Hand Pass to Mount·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The no-hand pass to mount, also called the basic half guard pass or 'shim,' is a fundamental guard-passing technique executed from the top of half guard without relying on hand control of the opponent's legs. TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian emphasizes that success depends entirely on positional details rather than strength. The foundational setup requires an underhook with a cross-face grip (hand around the neck), with hands locked palm-to-palm. The passer applies shoulder pressure by turning the hips, creating a subtle choking sensation that signals effective execution when the opponent grabs the shoulder. The passer then opens and plants the elbow for balance while walking on the toes to lift the near-side knee and escape the opponent's leg squeeze. Once the knee clears, it is thrust downward to the mat with simultaneous hamstring curling of the heel to the buttocks, preventing the opponent from reclamping half guard. The critical detail emphasized across all three videos is that both feet must exit simultaneously; dangling one foot creates opportunities for the opponent to capture it or execute an elbow escape leading to guard replacement or back-control threats. After securing leg freedom, the passer walks the opponent's arm progressively higher, maintaining the cross-face pressure with forearm control positioned near the biceps rather than the elbow, preventing overhook escapes. The final entry to mount uses a 'tipping' motion to insert the foot past the opponent's knees rather than forcing it straight in, followed by grapevine hooks and submission control via Americana or similar finishes. Coach Brian stresses that these details matter more than athletic advantages, demonstrating the technique against both larger and smaller, flexible opponents to show universal applicability.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian — Coach Brian's "No Hands" Half Guard Pass!: Provides the most comprehensive initial teaching of the technique, detailing underhook setup, cross-face grip, shoulder pressure mechanics, knee escape sequencing, the thrust and heel-to-butt positioning, arm walking progression, forearm placement to prevent overhooks, the tipping entry into mount, grapevine hooks, and Americana finish. Emphasizes the importance of detail-oriented practice over speed.
- TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian — TMG Clips #215 - The "No Hands" Pass!!: Offers a condensed recapitulation of core mechanics including hand-locking, shoulder smash, knee thrust, arm walking, cross-face maintenance, and the tipping motion. Demonstrates resistance to rolling and emphasizes that the bottom arm's pinned position prevents the opponent from bridging or creating defensive posts.
- TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian — "No Hands Pass" Advanced DETAILS!! Must SEE!: Introduces critical advanced details absent from earlier videos: the distinction between attempting foot insertion when the opponent's leg is positioned low versus high/lifted (which prevents foot entry), the simultaneous exit of both feet as the defining safety principle, demonstration against flexible opponents, the shoulder-give technique where releasing cross-face contact and closing the head into the arm prevents the opponent from sliding upward, and forehead placement on the hand during Americana finishing to maximize spinal alignment compression.
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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 → No Hand Pass to Mount → 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 know if I'm applying the shoulder pressure correctly in the no hand pass?
According to Coach Brian, when your opponent grabs your shoulder and looks away, that's a sign you're doing a great job—it means the shoulder pressure is creating a choking sensation that forces them to react.
What's the correct way to position my hands when passing from half guard with this technique?
Coach Brian recommends placing the hand around the head with the palm down, and then locking your hands together with your shoulder driven into the opponent's chest while turning your hip to apply pressure.
How do I prevent my opponent from escaping when I tip into mount position?
Coach Brian emphasizes that when you tip over with your foot already in place and your bottom arm pinned, your opponent cannot post or bridge properly—their arm is trapped together, making it nearly impossible for them to escape or reverse the position.
What's the most common mistake when bringing my foot over to the mount?
Coach Brian warns not to place your foot in from a high position, as the opponent can pull their knee up to block it; instead, tip all the way out until your foot gets in low, then bring your other leg over.
How does the No Hand Pass to Mount work?
The No Hand Pass to Mount bypasses the half guard using hip pressure and weight distribution alone, without relying on arm grips or underhooks. The passer uses their hips to slide through the half guard directly to mount.
Where does the No Hand Pass to Mount come from?
No Hand Pass to Mount is a technique documented in BJ Penn's comprehensive MMA system.
Is the No Hand Pass to Mount 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 No Hand Pass to Mount?
Danger rating 3/10. Positional technique
How do I set up the No Hand Pass to Mount?
The standard setup chain: Engagement → No Hand Pass to Mount → Advance position.
How do I defend against the No Hand Pass to Mount?
Standard counters include: Guard retention / Frame and escape / Submission counter.
What are the variants of the No Hand Pass to Mount?
Common variants: Standard No Hand Pass to Mount; Modified No Hand Pass to Mount.
How effective is the No Hand Pass to Mount in competition?
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the No Hand Pass to Mount?
Top errors to watch for: Losing base / Not maintaining control / Poor transitions.
What are other names for the No Hand Pass to Mount?
The No Hand Pass to Mount is also known as No Hand Pass to Mount, No-Hands Guard Pass, Pressure Pass to Mount.