Pass Without Grips
passing
Grapplers Collective, Pass Without Grips. 5-6 min rounds.
Problem
Pressure-based passing mechanics without relying on hand grips.
Tell the room
Top passes the open guard with hands clasped behind the back. Bottom sweeps, submits, or stands up. The pin holds for 3 seconds with the hands still clasped.
Setup
Clasp the hands behind the back. Top kneeling or standing in the bottom player's open guard, hands clasped. Bottom picks any open guard and grips freely.
Score
Three seconds, hands still clasped.
- Top — side control, mount, or north-south
- Bottom — sweeps or submits
- Bottom — stands up to neutral
Rules
- No hands on the opponent. Hands stay clasped; posting on the mat is allowed.
- Keep the clasp all round. Release only at resets, even when the pass stalls.
- No leg locks. Neither player attacks the legs.
Adjust
Easier
Free one hand for the top player while the other stays behind the back.
Harder
Add a 90-second limit for the top player. The bottom player wins if the time expires.
If it stalls
If the top player is swept immediately every time, let them post freely on the mat and work only shoulder and chest pressure.
TOP PLAYER
POSITION
Top kneeling or standing in the bottom player's open guard, hands clasped. Bottom picks any open guard and grips freely.
OBJECTIVE
Top passes the open guard with hands clasped behind the back. Bottom sweeps, submits, or stands up. The pin holds for 3 seconds with the hands still clasped.
CONSTRAINTS
No hands on the opponent. Hands stay clasped; posting on the mat is allowed. Keep the clasp all round. Release only at resets, even when the pass stalls. No leg locks. Neither player attacks the legs.
WIN CONDITION
side control, mount, or north-south
BOTTOM PLAYER
POSITION
Top kneeling or standing in the bottom player's open guard, hands clasped. Bottom picks any open guard and grips freely.
OBJECTIVE
Top passes the open guard with hands clasped behind the back. Bottom sweeps, submits, or stands up. The pin holds for 3 seconds with the hands still clasped.
CONSTRAINTS
No hands on the opponent. Hands stay clasped; posting on the mat is allowed. Keep the clasp all round. Release only at resets, even when the pass stalls. No leg locks. Neither player attacks the legs.
WIN CONDITION
sweeps or submits; stands up to neutral