What are some of your tricks and techniques for passing someones guard (punching them in the face isn't an option )?
I tend to lean weight to one side, drive my hand into that side's hip, push with my elbow on their knee while with the other hand/forearm pressing near their neck till you break their leg's grip. This leaves one suseptible to triangles and armbar though...yes that's speaking from experience haha
Put one hand on their stomach, stand up, put the same side knee under their tail bone, sit down driving your knee in their tail bone, with your other leg knee over their open leg into side mount.
This works much better at breaking a tight guard than the elbow trick.