# Toreando Pass

> An outside guard pass that controls the legs and redirects them away while the passer circles to the hips and shoulders.

- **Canonical page:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/toreando-pass
- **Markdown:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/toreando-pass.md
- **JSON:** https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/toreando-pass
- **Category:** pass
- **Format:** gi
- **Level:** fundamental
- **Aliases:** bullfighter pass, torreando, outside passing
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-25

## What it is

The toreando pass uses pants or ankle grips to steer the guard player's legs away from the passer's path. Instead of forcing through the center, the passer creates an outside lane, circles around the knees, and then closes distance to prevent recovery.

The pass is most effective as part of a movement chain. If the guard player squares the hips, the passer can switch sides, enter a knee cut, or convert to a leg drag. The critical moment is the transition from leg control to upper-body control.

## Key principles

- Move the legs and your feet at the same time.
- Keep the guard player's knees pointed away from your passing lane.
- Close the shoulder distance before releasing leg grips.
- Change direction when the hips begin to square.

## Common entries

- **Open guard:** Secure both pant legs or ankles before the guard player establishes upper-body grips.
- **Spider guard break:** Clear the feet from the arms and immediately redirect the knees.
- **Standing pass:** Use posture and mobile footwork to create an outside angle.


## Productive next actions

- **Side control:** Block the near hip and climb to the shoulders after circling the knees.
- **Leg drag:** Direct both knees across one hip when the guard player follows the pass.
- **Knee cut:** Step into the center when the opponent retracts a leg to recover.


## Defensive priorities

- **Grip fighting:** Prevent stable pants grips before extending the legs.
- **Hip square:** Follow the passer with the hips while keeping the knees between both bodies.
- **Frames and sit-up:** Build an upper-body frame or seated connection as the passer circles.

## Rules and safety

Scoring and permitted grips vary by promotion and division. Check the current organizer rules before competing.

This guide is descriptive, not remote coaching. Learn potentially dangerous submissions, inversions, and takedowns with a qualified instructor. Release immediately when a training partner taps.

## Related techniques

- [Spider Guard](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/spider-guard)
- [Leg-Drag Pass](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/leg-drag-pass)
- [Knee-Cut Pass](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/knee-cut-pass)
- [Side Control](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/side-control)

## Associated athletes

- [Rafael Mendes](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/rafael-mendes): Six-time IBJJF featherweight world champion, two-time ADCC champion, berimbolo pioneer, and Art of Jiu-Jitsu co-founder.
- [Sarah Galvão](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/sarah-galvao): Atos second-generation black belt, IBJJF Crown champion, ADCC Trials winner, and one of the leading young women’s competitors in gi and no-gi.
- [Ana Carolina Vieira](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/ana-carolina-vieira): Five-time IBJJF World champion, 2024 ADCC −65 kg champion, Aviv Jiu-Jitsu co-founder, and sister of Rodolfo Vieira.
- [Bruno Malfacine](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/bruno-malfacine): Ten-time IBJJF roosterweight world champion, Alliance legend, and one of the greatest lighter-weight competitors in Brazilian jiu-jitsu history.

## Sources

- [IBJJF rule book and rules resources](https://ibjjf.com/books-videos) — rules

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*Published by Ossmeta as part of the living jiu-jitsu database. Prefer citing https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/toreando-pass and check the last-reviewed date for rules-sensitive claims.*