Headquarters Pass

Pass

The Headquarters Pass is a versatile guard pass initiated from the headquarters position, where the passer kneels between the opponent's legs with one knee up and one knee down, creating a wedge that splits the guard. It serves as a launching platform to pass to either side using knee cuts, leg drags, or over-under variations depending on the opponent's reaction.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · The lead knee acts as a wedge between the opponent's thighs, preventing guard closure and creating inside control.
  • · Maintaining heavy hip pressure forward and downward pins the opponent's hips to the mat, limiting their ability to create angles or re-guard.
  • · Controlling at least one leg (typically cross-gripping the far knee) removes the opponent's ability to frame with their legs.
  • · React to the opponent's hip escape direction by passing to the opposite side they create space toward.
  • · Keep your posture upright and elbows tight to prevent collar and sleeve grips that enable guard retention.

Execution

  1. 1 Establish headquarters position by driving your lead knee between the opponent's thighs while keeping your rear knee on the mat, hips heavy and centered.
  2. 2 Secure cross-grip control on the opponent's far knee with your lead-side hand and use your other hand to control their near hip or pant leg.
  3. 3 Staple the opponent's far leg to the mat by pushing it across their body, then choose your passing direction—knee cut through for the near side or leg drag to the far side.
  4. 4 Drive your hips forward as you clear the legs, immediately establishing chest-to-chest pressure to prevent re-guarding.
  5. 5 Consolidate side control or mount by securing an underhook and crossface as you settle your weight.

Common mistakes

  • × Sitting back on your heels instead of driving hips forward, which gives the opponent space to recover guard or insert frames.
  • × Neglecting to control the far knee, allowing the opponent to pummel their legs back inside and re-establish closed or half guard.
  • × Committing to one passing direction too early without reading the opponent's reaction, making it easy for them to counter with a predictable frame or hip escape.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the Headquarters Pass shows up.

Headquarters Position
2 less common
Collar Sleeve Guard Top Inverted Guard

Where it lands

The position you end up in.

Side Control Top