Passing Foundations

Before we get to passing, we must get to the point of being able to achieve our positions. The biggest key for my personal passing success is being able to control my opposition without being controlled. That means I need to engage at an appropriate distance, break their connections and make connections of my own. If I am too far back, they can stand up. If I allow them to make connections, they have control. Allowing them to have control is exactly what we do not want. They need to have at least three contact points on me to play an effective guard. If I can limit them to two, that is all I need to begin seeking for my positions. Once I have limited or eliminated points of contact, I need to find an angle that will allow me to accomplish one if not all the three passing types. This angle and base passing type will vary person to person, but it is highly unlikely you will have success addressing the guard straight on.  Creating the angle will be followed by beating the line of the hips, this is where we get into our passing positions. Finally, we finish the pass with chest to chest or chest to back connection.