Do This to Pass Headquarters EVERY Time!
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Standard Headquarters Pass·BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu Channel
IF YOU HAVE A HARD TIME PASS THE HEADQUATERS POSITIONS THIS VIDEO IS FOR YOU! ON this video i show how to smash and pas…
Standard Headquarters Pass
SubFamilyヘッドクォーターズパス
TransliterationTranslation
Not yet documented
Overview
The Standard Headquarters Pass covers the fundamental passing technique from the headquarters stance — one knee up, one knee down between the opponent's legs — using the raised knee to initiate a knee cut while simultaneously establishing crossface control. [1] This standard execution represents the default passing action from headquarters, with the raised knee becoming the cutting knee. [1],[2]
Standard HQ PassBasic Headquarters
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Developed within the modern BJJ competition passing evolution. [1]
Competition Record
Used at IBJJF and ADCC competition. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Navigating past the opponent's guard legs using this specific passing mechanic to achieve side control
Joints Involved — Hips (hip switching and pressure), knees (cutting, wedging, or stepping), hands (grips on pants or legs for control)
Force Vector — Varies by technique — forward pressure for knee-based passes, lateral for toreando variations, backward for backstep
Pass Mechanic — Each variant exploits a specific guard weakness: knee passes split the guard from inside, toreando variants outflank from outside, backstep approaches from behind, and pressure variants flatten through heavy contact
Position & Entry
From headquarters position — Initiate this pass from the standard headquarters stance based on the opponent's guard reaction
From standing — Begin the pass from a standing position in front of the opponent's open guard
From guard break — After breaking the closed guard, transition directly into this passing technique
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Guard passes carry minimal injury risk for both fighters under normal conditions
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
✓Drill this pass from the appropriate starting position until the mechanics are automatic
✓Chain this pass with 2-3 other passes to create an unpredictable passing system
✓Grip fighting before the pass is as important as the pass itself
✓Practice against progressive resistance
Common Mistakes
!Not establishing grips before initiating
!Not consolidating with crossface after passing
!Only passing to one side
!Rushing without reading the guard player's position
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Position
2Strip Grips
3Initiate Pass
4Navigate Legs
5Consolidate Side Control
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookBJJ competition analysis
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Modern BJJ passing methodology [2] Competition passing analysis
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Modern BJJ passing methodology [2] Competition passing analysis
5CitationBJJ competition analysis
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip mobility, grip strength, timing
Favours
athletic ability, good reflexes
Key muscles
core, quadriceps, forearms
Sub-techniques
Notes
Headquarters (HQ) is a combat base position between the opponent's legs with one knee up and one knee down. It serves as a neutral passing position from which multiple passes can be launched. (Danaher, Guard Passing instructionals)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I control my opponent's leg when starting the headquarters pass?
Start by holding one ankle with your grip on the knee of the leg you want to trap, then pinch your knees together to prevent your opponent from pulling and pushing you away.
What's the correct hip position when passing headquarters guard?
Keep your hips low and down with your weight rather than above your opponent's hips—position yourself in a squatting stance with your legs forming a V shape so that when your opponent pulls, your weight stays on your hip.
How do I prevent my opponent from putting me back in half guard during the pass?
Don't go directly into mount position after controlling the arm and knee on the mat; instead, transition through quarter mount and bring your knee in to trap your opponent's leg so they cannot hook you, then bring your knee all the way down into mount.
What should I do if my opponent tries to elevate their hips to escape?
Keep your chest on top of their hip with good weight distribution—if they elevate, wrap around the back of their knee and drive them back rather than driving forward, which prevents them from escaping with momentum.
How does the Standard Headquarters Pass work?
The Standard Headquarters Pass covers the fundamental passing technique from the headquarters stance — one knee up, one knee down between the opponent's legs — using the raised knee to initiate a knee cut while simultaneously establishing crossface control. This standard execution represents the default passing action from headquarters, with the raised knee becoming the cutting knee.
Where does the Standard Headquarters Pass come from?
This passing technique is part of the modern BJJ guard passing curriculum, refined through competition at IBJJF and ADCC.
Is the Standard Headquarters 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 Standard Headquarters Pass?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — guard passes carry minimal injury risk for both fighters under normal conditions
How do I set up the Standard Headquarters Pass?
The standard setup chain: Establish Position → Strip Grips → Initiate Pass → Navigate Legs → Consolidate Side Control.
How do I defend against the Standard Headquarters Pass?
Standard counters include: Guard retention / Frame and shrimp / Sweep timing / Re-guarding.
What are the variants of the Standard Headquarters Pass?
Common variants: Standard execution (the fundamental version of this pass); Modified version (adapted for specific guard types); Chain variant (transitioning to this pass from another pass that was def…).
How effective is the Standard Headquarters Pass in competition?
Used at IBJJF and ADCC competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Headquarters Pass?
Top errors to watch for: Not establishing grips before initiating / Not consolidating with crossface after passing / Only passing to one side / Rushing without reading the guard player's position.
What are other names for the Standard Headquarters Pass?
The Standard Headquarters Pass is also known as Standard HQ Pass, Basic Headquarters.