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Intermediatepancake pass
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About This Technique
Pancake Pass
The Pancake Pass is a technique popularly used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to pass an opponent's guard, mostly from the Open Guard and Butterfly Guard positions. This technique focuses on heavy pressure to flatten the opponent, much like a pancake, making it difficult for them to regain their offensive guard position.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
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Initial Setup:
- Your partner is on their back in the Open Guard or Butterfly Guard position.
- Drop to your knees to reduce your center of gravity and make your base wide.
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Identifying Control Points:
- With the opponent in this position, identify control points on their legs or hooks.
- Use your hands to cup behind your opponent's kneecaps.
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Breaking the Guard:
- If facing an Open Guard, start moving their hips slightly out of alignment by doing a light push and pull action with your cupped hands.
- If they assume Butterfly Guard, aim to sprawl your hips slightly, defeating upward pressure attempts from their hooks.
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Establishing Dominant Grip:
- Reach with your right arm deep across their chest, sliding your arm past their body under the far arm.
- With your left hand, secure control of their bottom leg or ankle.
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Displacing the Opponent to the Side:
- To initiate the pancake effect, drop your chest down on their chest like a deadweight.
- Begin shifting your entire weight onto your right shoulder, forcing their torso and legs to flatten out fully as you pass towards their right side.
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Securing Side Control:
- As you come around to side control, transfer your grips:
- Direct your left hand over their head, preparing for the cross-face.
- Slide your right arm over their far leg, avoiding their knees being able to hook or disrupt your position.
- As you come around to side control, transfer your grips:
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Settling into Position:
- Adjust your knees and hips to maintain a firm, consistent pressure on their chest as you settle into side control.
- Ensure your grip and weight distribution effectively pin down their chest and shoulder blades, inhibiting their attempts to shrimp or regain guard.
This technique, with its pressure-centric approach, can be incredibly effective in both Gi and No-Gi scenarios, as it focuses on weight and body spacing over grip control.
How to Execute
# Pancake Pass from Open Guard
## Setup
- **Initial Position:** Begin in your opponent's open guard. You are kneeling or standing in front of your opponent who is seated or has feet on your hips or thighs.
- **Grips and Controls Needed:** Establish a grip on both of your opponent's pants at the knees or the shin area. Ensure you maintain a strong posture with your back straight and head up.
## Steps
1. **Establish Base:**
- Lower your base by bending your knees slightly, maintaining a strong, balanced posture.
- Keep your elbows tight to your body to prevent your opponent from establishing grips on your sleeves.
2. **Initiate Forward Pressure:**
- Drive your knee between your opponent's legs to break their guard and initiate forward pressure.
- Use your grips on their pants to control their legs, preventing them from establishing hooks or closing guard.
3. **Control One Leg:**
- Choose one of your opponent's legs to focus on. Push it across their body towards the opposite side while maintaining a strong grip.
- Use your other hand to pin their second leg to the mat, keeping it immobile.
4. **Flatten the Opponent:**
- Drive your body forward, using your shoulder to pressure their chest and flatten them onto their back.
- Keep the pinned leg secure under your control. Your goal is to prevent their hips from moving freely.
5. **Pass the Guard:**
- Slide your knee over their pinned leg, bringing your body across their torso.
- Use your free hand to establish an underhook on the far side or control their far shoulder, solidifying your position.
6. **Secure Side Control:**
- Transition your hips to the mat and establish side control. Your chest should be heavy on their chest, with one arm under their head and the other controlling their far arm or hip.
- Ensure your knees are wide for stability and your hips are low for effective control.
## Key Points
- **Important Details to Remember:**
- Maintain constant pressure throughout the pass. Your opponent should feel the weight and control as you move.
- Control their hips effectively to prevent them from re-guarding or creating space.
- **Common Mistakes to Avoid:**
- Allowing your opponent to establish grips on your sleeves or collar can result in losing control.
- Failing to keep pressure on your opponent's chest can lead to them regaining guard or sweeping you.
- Overcommitting and losing balance can give your opponent opportunities to counter or attack.
By following these steps with attention to detail and maintaining control, you can effectively execute the Pancake Pass from the Open Guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
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