What are the advantages to passing the guard standing?
More difficult for the opponent to attack a submission because of distance.
You are able to make better use of your speed advantage and move side to side on top.
Standing will negate the advantages of some styles of guard ex. Butterfly guard and closed guardLet’s see how some of Gracie Barra’s instructors pass the guard standing.

1) Passing the Closed Guard
Most of us learn our first closed guard pass from the knees but many black belts (like Professor Rodrigo Freitas of Gracie Barra Manhattan Beach & Professor Mikey Gomez of Gracie Barra Temecula here) prefer standing to pass the closed guard. One of the advantages is that it is easier to open the tightly closed ankles while standing.

2) Standing Leg Drag Pass
Head instructor at GB HQ in Irvine, California show one of the essential standing passes with some key details on the leg grip and hip movement.

3) X Guard Pass
Prof. Kiko Meneghetti of GB Barao Geraldo shows how we can negate one of the opponent’s hooks to back step out of the Xguard. Note Prof. Kiko’s specific grips.

4) Standing Bull Fighter Pass Variation / Passagem de Guarda Aberta
This standing pass come from GB Vitoria. The grip in the belt is especially effective to control the guard player’s hip movement.

5) Standing Bullfighter / Leg Drag hybrid pass
I’m not sure if this standing guard pass by Prof. Villem Coelho of GB Jacarepagua is a Bullfighter or a Leg Drag variation, but it is an awesome standing pass combining elements of both classic passes!

See also on Gracie Barra : GB Techniques: Take The Back!
https://graciebarra.com/2016/07/take-the-back/

Credits: Mark Mullen
Gracie Barra Black belt based in Saigon, Vietnam
Instagram: markmullen.bjj