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The Seated Closed Guard Pass: White Belt Testing Guide

Learn how to pass closed guard using the Seated Closed Guard Pass with Professor Matt Lippold at Legacy BJJ Omaha. This detailed guide covers posture rules, breaking the ankles open, scissor sweep defense, and securing side control for white belt stripe testing. Perfect for beginner BJJ practitioners!

Watch Professor Matt Lippold Complete Seated Guard Pass

Seated Guard Pass Overview

The closed guard is one of the most dangerous positions for a beginner in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. When stuck inside an opponent’s guard, you are constantly exposed to dangerous submissions like the Kimura or the Guillotine Choke, as well as powerful sweeping threats. To stay safe and transition into an offensive position, you must master the Seated Closed Guard Pass.

In this official Legacy BJJ Omaha White Belt Testing Guide, featuring instruction from Professor Matt Lippold, we break down the fundamental mechanics of maintaining proper posture, opening the closed guard from a seated base, driving forward as a unified frame, and securing side control (cross body). For white belts preparing for stripe evaluations, testing judges will look closely at your postural alignment, knee placement during the break, and your ability to prevent sweeping counters throughout the pass.

Phase 1: Posture & Hand Placement Discipline

Before attempting to open the guard, your upper body structure must be un-collapsable.

  1. Upright Alignment: Maintain a tall posture with your head positioned directly over your spine. Never lean your head forward past your knees, as this makes it easy for the guard player to pull you down and break your base.
  2. Inside Arm Control: Always keep your hands positioned on the inside of your opponent’s frame. Never place your hands on the mat. Dropping your hands to the canvas immediately exposes you to severe attacks like the Guillotine Choke or Kimura.
  3. The Grip Setup: Place your dominant (stronger) hand on your opponent’s hip bone. Place your secondary hand in the center of their chest, securing control over both lapels.
         [ Upright Posture & Base ]
                     │
                     ▼
  [ Dominant Hand on Hip ➔ Control Both Lapels ]
                     │
                     ▼
  [ Walk Knees Back ➔ Drive Wedge Knee in Center ]
                     │
                     ▼
[ Turn Sideways & Posture High (Prevent Scissor Sweep) ]
                     │
                     ▼
  [ Drive Unified Body Forward ➔ Cross Face & Backstep ]
                     │
                     ▼
       [ Establish Cross Body Control ]

Phase 2: Creating Pressure & Breaking the Guard Lock

Once your grips and posture are locked in, you transition into breaking the opponent’s ankle lock using structural pressure.

  • Toe Pressure & Backward Walk: Stay active on your toes to maintain forward driving potential while slowly walking your knees backward. Walking back creates tight structural tension across the opponent’s ankles.
  • Inserting the Wedge Knee: Once sufficient space is created, take the knee on the side of your lapel-control hand and slide it into the center space between your opponent’s legs/glutes.
  • The Break Angle: Step your opposite knee outwards. Turn your hips slightly sideways to exert maximum pressure against their ankles while keeping your head up and looking straight ahead.
  • Scissor Sweep Defense: Staying high in your posture as you turn your body sideways is critical—if you lean forward during this lateral turn, your opponent will easily catch you with a scissor sweep.

Phase 3: Driving the Pass & Establishing Side Control

With the legs successfully popped open, you immediately shift into the passing phase before the opponent can reset their guard.

  1. Pop the Lead Knee: As the legs open, pop the knee on the side of your strong hip-control hand up between their legs. Lower your lapel-control hand to guide their leg down and open up their guard wider.
  2. Unified Drive: Lower your entire body slightly, then drive forward as a solid, unified unit. Keep your lead knee glued to theirs to eliminate daylight.
  3. The Cross Face & Backstep: Wrap your lead arm deeply around the back of the opponent’s neck to establish a strong cross face. Backstep your trailing leg over their legs.
  4. Hip Block & Disengagement: Place your free hand (the hand not supporting your base) firmly against the opponent’s hip to stop them from turning into you or restoring guard. Unhook your remaining foot from their body and settle into a solid cross body (side control) position.

Phase 4: White Belt Stripe Testing Rubric

When testing for your next stripe under Professor Matt Lippold, testing panel members evaluate you on the following criteria:

  • [ ] Hand Discipline: Did you keep your hands strictly on the inside frames (hip and lapels) without ever posting on the mat?
  • [ ] Posture Alignment: Was your head kept strictly over your hips throughout the initial setup and backward walk?
  • [ ] Proper Wedge Execution: Did you walk back on active toes and slide the wedge knee directly into the center between their legs?
  • [ ] Sweep Prevention: Did you maintain a high posture while turning sideways to prevent the scissor sweep?
  • [ ] Unit Drive & Control: Did you drive forward as a single unit, secure a deep cross face, block the hip, and disengage your foot cleanly into side control?

Ready to Test Your Skills?

If you are preparing for your next stripe test or simply want to sharpen your finishing mechanics, follow the steps below:

Your 3-Step Action Plan:

  • Sign the Waiver: New to the mats? Complete our Digital Waiver before your first class.
  • Check the Schedule: View our Official Class Schedule to join our next Fundamentals session.
  • Visit the Gym: Bring your clean white Gi and get ready to train with the best community in Omaha.

📧 Email Us: matt@legacybjjomaha.com

📞 Call/Text: (402) 651-7721

Join the Community Online:

Follow us for daily technique clips, student highlights, and gym updates:

The Seated Closed Guard Pass: White Belt Testing Guide

Learn how to pass closed guard using the Seated Closed Guard Pass with Professor Matt Lippold at Legacy BJJ Omaha. This detailed guide covers posture rules, breaking the ankles open, scissor sweep defense, and securing side control for white belt stripe testing. Perfect for beginner BJJ practitioners!

Watch Professor Matt Lippold Complete Seated Guard Pass

Seated Guard Pass Overview

The closed guard is one of the most dangerous positions for a beginner in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. When stuck inside an opponent’s guard, you are constantly exposed to dangerous submissions like the Kimura or the Guillotine Choke, as well as powerful sweeping threats. To stay safe and transition into an offensive position, you must master the Seated Closed Guard Pass.

In this official Legacy BJJ Omaha White Belt Testing Guide, featuring instruction from Professor Matt Lippold, we break down the fundamental mechanics of maintaining proper posture, opening the closed guard from a seated base, driving forward as a unified frame, and securing side control (cross body). For white belts preparing for stripe evaluations, testing judges will look closely at your postural alignment, knee placement during the break, and your ability to prevent sweeping counters throughout the pass.

Phase 1: Posture & Hand Placement Discipline

Before attempting to open the guard, your upper body structure must be un-collapsable.

  1. Upright Alignment: Maintain a tall posture with your head positioned directly over your spine. Never lean your head forward past your knees, as this makes it easy for the guard player to pull you down and break your base.
  2. Inside Arm Control: Always keep your hands positioned on the inside of your opponent’s frame. Never place your hands on the mat. Dropping your hands to the canvas immediately exposes you to severe attacks like the Guillotine Choke or Kimura.
  3. The Grip Setup: Place your dominant (stronger) hand on your opponent’s hip bone. Place your secondary hand in the center of their chest, securing control over both lapels.
         [ Upright Posture & Base ]
                     │
                     ▼
  [ Dominant Hand on Hip ➔ Control Both Lapels ]
                     │
                     ▼
  [ Walk Knees Back ➔ Drive Wedge Knee in Center ]
                     │
                     ▼
[ Turn Sideways & Posture High (Prevent Scissor Sweep) ]
                     │
                     ▼
  [ Drive Unified Body Forward ➔ Cross Face & Backstep ]
                     │
                     ▼
       [ Establish Cross Body Control ]

Phase 2: Creating Pressure & Breaking the Guard Lock

Once your grips and posture are locked in, you transition into breaking the opponent’s ankle lock using structural pressure.

  • Toe Pressure & Backward Walk: Stay active on your toes to maintain forward driving potential while slowly walking your knees backward. Walking back creates tight structural tension across the opponent’s ankles.
  • Inserting the Wedge Knee: Once sufficient space is created, take the knee on the side of your lapel-control hand and slide it into the center space between your opponent’s legs/glutes.
  • The Break Angle: Step your opposite knee outwards. Turn your hips slightly sideways to exert maximum pressure against their ankles while keeping your head up and looking straight ahead.
  • Scissor Sweep Defense: Staying high in your posture as you turn your body sideways is critical—if you lean forward during this lateral turn, your opponent will easily catch you with a scissor sweep.

Phase 3: Driving the Pass & Establishing Side Control

With the legs successfully popped open, you immediately shift into the passing phase before the opponent can reset their guard.

  1. Pop the Lead Knee: As the legs open, pop the knee on the side of your strong hip-control hand up between their legs. Lower your lapel-control hand to guide their leg down and open up their guard wider.
  2. Unified Drive: Lower your entire body slightly, then drive forward as a solid, unified unit. Keep your lead knee glued to theirs to eliminate daylight.
  3. The Cross Face & Backstep: Wrap your lead arm deeply around the back of the opponent’s neck to establish a strong cross face. Backstep your trailing leg over their legs.
  4. Hip Block & Disengagement: Place your free hand (the hand not supporting your base) firmly against the opponent’s hip to stop them from turning into you or restoring guard. Unhook your remaining foot from their body and settle into a solid cross body (side control) position.

Phase 4: White Belt Stripe Testing Rubric

When testing for your next stripe under Professor Matt Lippold, testing panel members evaluate you on the following criteria:

  • [ ] Hand Discipline: Did you keep your hands strictly on the inside frames (hip and lapels) without ever posting on the mat?
  • [ ] Posture Alignment: Was your head kept strictly over your hips throughout the initial setup and backward walk?
  • [ ] Proper Wedge Execution: Did you walk back on active toes and slide the wedge knee directly into the center between their legs?
  • [ ] Sweep Prevention: Did you maintain a high posture while turning sideways to prevent the scissor sweep?
  • [ ] Unit Drive & Control: Did you drive forward as a single unit, secure a deep cross face, block the hip, and disengage your foot cleanly into side control?

Ready to Test Your Skills?

If you are preparing for your next stripe test or simply want to sharpen your finishing mechanics, follow the steps below:

Your 3-Step Action Plan:

  • Sign the Waiver: New to the mats? Complete our Digital Waiver before your first class.
  • Check the Schedule: View our Official Class Schedule to join our next Fundamentals session.
  • Visit the Gym: Bring your clean white Gi and get ready to train with the best community in Omaha.

📧 Email Us: matt@legacybjjomaha.com

📞 Call/Text: (402) 651-7721

Join the Community Online:

Follow us for daily technique clips, student highlights, and gym updates: