Toreando Pass
Also known as: Bullfighter Pass, Toreada
The toreando (bullfighter) pass is a dynamic, high-speed pass that redirects your opponent's legs while you circle around to side control. Named after the bullfighter's movement around the bull, it's one of the most aesthetically beautiful passes in BJJ. The toreando works by moving faster than they can adjust—grip their legs, redirect them to one side, and you're past before they can reframe.
🎯Key Details
Grip on the pants/legs
Control at the knees or lower thigh. Too low (at the ankles) and you have no control. Grip tight enough that you can redirect their entire lower body.
Direction is sideways, not down
Push their legs to one side, not down into the mat. Down lets them recover. Sideways takes them past the point where they can adjust.
Your hips circle
As you push their legs one direction, your hips circle the opposite direction. Hands and hips move as one coordinated action.
Immediate connection
Don't pause after redirecting their legs. Immediately drive your chest to their torso. Any hesitation = guard recovery.
Head position
Keep your head up and forward. Looking down slows you down and lets them adjust.
⚠️Common Mistakes
Pushing legs down instead of sideways
Down lets them spring back. Push to the side to take them past recovery.
Pausing after redirecting
The redirect and connection are one motion. Hesitation kills the toreando.
Standing too far away
Start close enough that you can connect immediately after redirecting. Distance = they recover.
Losing grips during the movement
Maintain control until you connect. Lost grips = they re-guard.
🚀Setups
- •Standing over open guard
- •After they drop for De La Riva
- •Fake knee slice, toreando the other way
- •After breaking grips standing
🛡️Counters / Defenses
- •Sit-up and collar tie
- •Lasso the arm
- •Shoot for single leg
- •Invert to re-guard
🔄Variations
📍Applicable Positions
🔗Related Techniques
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