Knee cut pass vs toreando pass
The Knee Cut Pass slides your knee across their thigh, close and heavy. The toreando pass pushes their legs to one side while you walk around them.
Guard: the bottom player's legs are between you and them. Guard pass: you get past their legs to a top position. Side control: you lie across their chest from the side.
Knee Cut PassLook at the low body: one knee cuts across their thigh to the mat.
Toreando PassLook at the standing body: you stay up and move around their legs.
Side by side
| What to look at | Knee Cut Pass | Toreando pass |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Pressure pass: close, low and heavy | Speed pass: standing and moving around the legs |
| Your body | Low, with one knee cutting across their thigh to the mat | Standing, with your hips back |
| Grips | A collar or shoulder grip, a sleeve grip, then an underhook or crossface | Both hands on their trousers at the knees. In no-gi, hold the knees or shins. |
| Best against | Half guard and knee shield, when you are close to them | Open guards where their feet push you away |
| Where you end up | Side control | Side control or knee on belly |
| Common mistake | Sliding before you control their arms. They frame and get their guard back. | Bent arms and a low head. They put a foot on your hip again. |
| Other names | Knee slide, knee cut | Bullfighter pass |
When to use which
- They keep you far away with their feet: use the toreando.
- They hold you close with a knee shield or half guard: use the Knee Cut Pass.
- You pin one leg with the toreando and want a low, heavy finish: use the Knee Cut Pass.
Your partner plays open guard with both feet on your hips. You grip both trouser legs at the knees. You push their legs to your left and step around to your right. You drop your chest into side control.
Your partner is on the bottom in half guard with a knee shield. You are close to them. Which pass fits better?
In the library
Read the full pages: Knee Cut Pass and Toreando Pass.
Train it on the Path
The Guard retention unit turns this into short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.
Guard retention is part of the Purple belt, included in Rolla Plus. Start free with Foundations and the white belt.