Standing up guard pass
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Standard Standing Guard·Energia Martial Arts
Standing up guard pass Rumor has is it that I, because of my love for leglocks, don't know or refuse to pass guard... Th…
Standard Standing Guard
SubFamilyスタンダード立ちガード(Sutandādo Tachi Gādo)
HybridTranslation: standard standing guard
Overview
The Standard Standing Guard subfamily covers the basic configuration where one fighter is on the ground in an open guard position while the other fighter is standing, creating the classic guard-passer-versus-guard-player dynamic. [1] This is one of the most common positional configurations in BJJ competition, occurring after guard pulls, incomplete takedowns, and standing passes. [1],[2] The standing fighter has the advantage of mobility and passing options, while the seated fighter has access to sweeps, leg attacks, and guard retention techniques. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The standard standing guard is the baseline standing position. [1]
Lineage
Drawn from multiple martial arts traditions. [1]
Competition Record
Used in all combat sports. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Using the legs and hips to control the opponent from the bottom — maintaining distance management and attack angles
Joints Involved — Hips (primary engine for sweeps and attacks), knees (framing and hooking), ankles (secondary hooks)
Force Vector — Pulling, framing, and hip-escaping — creating angles for attacks while preventing passing
Positional Mechanic — The guard is an active offensive position — leg control compensates for bottom positioning by threatening sweeps and submissions
Position & Entry
From seated or supine position — Maintain distance with feet on the opponent's hips or legs, hands controlling grips or collars
From closed guard break — When the opponent opens the closed guard, transition to open guard by establishing foot and grip controls
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Standing positions are pre-engagement stances; minimal direct risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— IJF — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — ground...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from ...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points por...
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — no penalty for playing guard
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Standard standing guard subfamily covers the fundamental standing positions against an opponent's guard — the posture, base, and grip management needed to initiate passing sequences (Danaher, Guard Passing, 2020)
✓The standard standing guard position uses: straight back, hips slightly behind the shoulders, arms controlling the opponent's legs or hips, and feet positioned for quick movement
✓From standing, the primary guard passing options are: toreando (push the legs to one side and pass), leg drag (pull one leg across the body), and long step (step around the legs)
✓The standing passer must respect the guard player's entries: DLR hook, collar-sleeve grips, and shin-on-shin are all threats from below
✓Footwork from the standing guard position: quick lateral steps to avoid hooks, backsteps to avoid sweeps, and forward pressure to initiate passes
✓The standing passer should vary their approach: sometimes pass left, sometimes right, sometimes engage and sometimes disengage — unpredictability is key
✓Drill: stand in partner's open guard, work grip strips and passing entries for 3-minute rounds
Common Mistakes
!Standing in one spot without moving — footwork is essential to avoid guard entries and create passing angles
!Reaching down with both hands simultaneously — one hand controls while the other strips grips
!Not varying the passing direction — predictable passing allows the guard player to set up their game
!Standing too tall without any forward pressure — some forward engagement is needed to initiate passes
!Not addressing DLR and collar-sleeve entries — these are the primary threats from open guard; have specific counters
!Passing only to one side — develop passes to both sides
!Standing in the guard without a plan — each standing interaction should have a specific passing objective
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Achieve Guard Contact — establish leg control around or against the opponent
2Control Grips — secure sleeve, collar, or wrist control for manipulation
3Manage Distance — use legs and grips to control the range and prevent passing
4Threaten Submissions/Sweeps — create offensive threats to keep the opponent reactive
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] IBJJF Rules (2024) [2] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950)
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Boxing: The Complete Guide to Training and Fitness (Hatmaker, 2004)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] IBJJF Rules (2024) [2] Championship Fighting (Dempsey, 1950)
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Boxing: The Complete Guide to Training and Fitness (Hatmaker, 2004)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility, active legs, grip management
Favours
long legs for distance control and guard retention
Key muscles
hip flexors, adductors, quadriceps, core, grip
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I keep my upper body away from my opponent when passing the standing guard?
Keeping your upper body away from your opponent prevents them from controlling you and makes the pass more effective. Energia Martial Arts emphasizes maintaining good posture and distance as a key principle of the standing guard pass.
What's the most difficult part of executing a standing guard pass?
Controlling the sleeve on the outside is actually the hardest part of the whole pass. Once you secure this control, the rest of the technique becomes much more manageable.
Where should I place my second foot to avoid getting swept?
Don't put your second foot close to your opponent's free hand, as this will still leave you vulnerable to a sweep. Proper foot placement away from their free hand is critical to completing the pass safely.
How does the Standard Standing Guard work?
The Standard Standing Guard subfamily covers the basic configuration where one fighter is on the ground in an open guard position while the other fighter is standing, creating the classic guard-passer-versus-guard-player dynamic. This is one of the most common positional configurations in BJJ competition, occurring after guard pulls, incomplete takedowns, and standing passes.
Where does the Standard Standing Guard come from?
The standard standing guard dynamic became the most common starting configuration in modern BJJ competition as guard pulling became prevalent. The standing-versus-seated guard exchange is now central to competitive BJJ strategy.
Is the Standard Standing Guard legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from guard score 2 points; IJF: restricted — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — groundwork from guard permitted …; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points portion; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — no penalty for playing guard; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Standing Guard?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — standing positions are pre-engagement stances; minimal direct risk
How do I set up the Standard Standing Guard?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Guard Contact → Control Grips → Manage Distance → Threaten Submissions/Sweeps.
How do I defend against the Standard Standing Guard?
Standard counters include: Guard Pass — systematically work to clear the legs and establish a dominant position / Leg Pin — control one or both legs to neutralize guard retention / Pressure Passing — use heavy chest pressure to flatten and immobilize the guard player.
What are the variants of the Standard Standing Guard?
Common variants: Spider guard (gripping both sleeves with feet on the biceps for distanc…); De la Riva guard (one hook behind the opponent's lead leg with opposite foo…); Lasso guard (lasso grip wrapping the leg around the opponent's arm); Collar-sleeve guard (controlling collar with one hand and sleeve with the othe…).
How effective is the Standard Standing Guard in competition?
Used in all combat sports.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Standing Guard?
Top errors to watch for: Standing in one spot without moving — footwork is essential to avoid guard entries and create passing angles / Reaching down with both hands simultaneously — one hand controls while the other strips grips / Not varying the passing direction — predictable passing allows the guard player to set up their game / Standing too tall without any forward pressure — some forward engagement is needed to initiate passes.
What are other names for the Standard Standing Guard?
The Standard Standing Guard is also known as Sutandādo Tachi Gādo, Basic Standing Guard, Standard On-Guard.