Hand Control to Pass With Josh Barnett: Hand Off Pass

Last month Josh Barnett showed us the many virtues of hand control when it comes to finishing or taking down your opponent. This month we’re going to let you in on his potent use of hand control when it comes to passing your opponent’s guard. This is not for the weak of heart or grip. Having a strong grip will definitely help your success rate in just about everything jiu-jitsu related, but especially when employing Josh’s methods on passing. If you missed last month’s article drop and give me 30 burpees then go out and pick it up, or order it from our website. You won’t be disappointed.

Hand Off Pass

1. Starting in the closed guard, Karl controls both of Josh’s hands. This is a no-no.

2. Josh pushes back to open Karl’s guard and turns his left hand out to break the grip then captures Karl’s right hand with his left.

3. Josh keeps Karl’s hand stuck to the ground using his weight, breaks Karl’s grip of his right hand and dives it under Karl’s right thigh. Josh is burying his shoulder into Karl. There’s no danger of a triangle at this point because of Josh’s angle to Karl, and Karl’s inability to moves his hips.

4. Josh transfers hand control from his left hand to his right, while maintaining his weight and downward pressure on Karl.

5. Now Josh uses his left hand to open up Karl’s legs, starting at the right knee and pushing down, leading his hand all the way to the ankle.

6. Next, Josh brings his left knee up to control Karl’s leg and then reaches up and over to overhook scoop the back of Karl’s head.

7. The rest of Josh’s body follows his head and arm, passing Karl’s right leg, being careful not to fall into half-guard.

8. Josh secures side control