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Combat Sports

Toreando Guard Pass

The Toreando Guard Pass is a standing grappling technique that moves a partner’s legs aside so you can circle into side control. It develops grip control, trunk stability, and coordinated footwork.

  • Intermediate
  • Compound
  • Moderate injury risk
  • Rest 1 min

How to do it

  1. Stand just beyond your partner’s feet while they lie on their back with knees bent.
  2. Grip the outsides of your partner’s lower legs just below the knees.
  3. Step back slightly to create space between their feet and your hips.
  4. Guide both of their knees toward your left.
  5. Circle to your right around their legs until your chest faces the side of their torso.
  6. Lower your knees to the mat beside their hip and shoulder.
  7. Settle your chest gently across their upper torso to establish side control.

Form cues

  • Keep your elbows close.
  • Stay light on your feet.
  • Look toward their torso.

Common mistakes

  • Trying to pass with arms aloneMove your feet around the legs rather than trying to shove them farther away.
  • Circling too far awayTake a compact path just outside the knees so your partner has less room to bring their legs back between you.
  • Releasing the legs too earlyMaintain light leg control until your torso has cleared the knees.

Safety

Forcing the legs sideways while a foot is trapped can twist your partner’s knee or ankle. Rushing the descent into side control can injure their ribs or cause a head collision.

  • Use a clear, padded mat with a cooperative partner offering minimal resistance.
  • Agree on a stop signal before starting; release immediately when either person signals.
  • Allow your partner’s hips and feet to turn with their knees rather than forcing rotation through a fixed leg.
  • Support your own weight during the descent instead of dropping onto your partner or pressing on their neck.

If either partner has current knee, ankle, rib, neck, or back pain, choose a noncontact footwork drill or seek advice from a physiotherapist before practicing.

Muscles worked

Front
Back

Primary muscles

  • Abs
  • Forearms
  • Lats

Secondary muscles

  • Biceps
  • Glutes
  • Quadriceps

Equipment

  • Combat Training Mat

Sets and reps

Sets
2–3
Target
4–6 reps per side
Rest
1 min

Reverse the passing direction for the other side, counting one rep when you establish controlled side control.