The cartwheel pass is an explosive, dynamic open-guard pass used against a seated guard player. By launching your hips and legs over the opponent, you bypass their frames and land directly into side control or threaten the back. This pass is highly effective against opponents relying on arm-based frames or when their posture is upright and mobile.
Start
Standing vs seated guard
End
Back take / side control
Prerequisites: Posting hand for base · Toreando footwork · Understanding of back exposure · Shoulder roll mechanics
Steps
1
Establish Distance and Threaten Toreando
From standing, use a two-on-one or collar tie to keep the opponent's posture upright and hands engaged, threatening a toreando pass to force them to post or reach.
2
Set Your Posting Hand
Place your lead hand (usually same side as opponent’s posting arm) firmly on the mat just outside their hip, fingers splayed for maximal base and wrist safety.
3
Angle Your Hips and Load Your Weight
Shift your hips slightly off-line (about 30–45°) from the opponent’s centerline, loading your weight onto your posting hand and opposite foot to create a springing base.
4
Initiate the Cartwheel
Drive off your loaded foot, kicking your hips and legs up and over the opponent’s torso, aiming to clear both their shoulders and head with your legs while keeping your eyes on their far hip.
5
Midair Adjustment for Back Exposure
As your legs pass overhead, rotate your hips so your lead leg lands behind their back/shoulder and your trailing leg lands near their far hip, creating a T-angle for immediate back exposure or side control.
6
Land with Chest-Heavy Pressure
As you land, drop your chest directly onto their near shoulder or upper back, keeping your hips low and knees wide for maximal control and to prevent guard recovery.
7
Secure Control or Transition to Back
Immediately establish a seatbelt grip if their back is exposed, or underhook their far arm and sprawl your hips if they turn in, settling into side control.
Key details most people miss
The posting hand must be placed far enough from their hips to avoid being grabbed or entangled, but close enough to maintain base.
Initiate the cartwheel only when the opponent’s arms are committed forward or their posture is upright—timing is critical to avoid being caught mid-air.
Land with your hips at a diagonal angle rather than directly perpendicular, maximizing your ability to chase the back or block their hip escape.
Keep your eyes on their far hip throughout the cartwheel to orient your landing and prevent over-rotation.
Common mistakes
Posting the hand too close to the opponent’s body allows them to underhook or catch your wrist, leading to sweeps or submissions.
Launching the cartwheel when the opponent is leaning back results in missing the target and giving up space for guard recovery.
Failing to rotate the hips midair causes you to land square, allowing the opponent to frame and re-guard.
Landing upright or with high hips makes it easy for the opponent to invert or scramble underneath you.
Counters & responses
They try: Opponent sits back and retracts frames as you initiate
You do: Abort the cartwheel and immediately switch to a long-step or knee-cut pass, using your posted hand for base.
They try: Opponent grabs your posting wrist or arm
You do: Rotate your posting elbow outward and circle your hand free before launching, or switch to a knee-slice if grip is strong.
They try: Opponent inverts under you as you pass
You do: Sprawl your hips and redirect your weight backward, using your free hand to block their inversion path and reset grips.
They try: Opponent frames hard on your landing leg
You do: Angle your landing leg further behind their back and switch to a back take by threading your arm for a seatbelt as you land.
Drill prescription
6 rounds × 2 min; start with partner seated and hands forward, passer attempts cartwheel pass at 50–70% resistance; goal: 4 clean landings into side control or back exposure per round.
How the masters teach it
Lucas Lepri
Uses the cartwheel pass as a surprise attack off toreando feints, emphasizing precise hand posting and hip angle.