Lasso Guard is a sophisticated open guard variation that combines elements of spider guard control with a unique leg threading mechanism. The position is characterized by threading your shin across the opponent’s trapped arm, creating a lasso-like control that severely restricts their mobility and posture. This guard offers exceptional control over one side of the opponent’s body while maintaining the ability to attack with sweeps, submissions, and transitions.
The mechanical advantage of Lasso Guard comes from the biomechanical stress placed on the opponent’s shoulder and arm. By pulling the trapped sleeve while pushing your shin against their tricep, you create a fulcrum that makes it extremely difficult for them to maintain base or generate forward pressure. This control allows you to manipulate their weight distribution and create opportunities for off-balancing attacks.
Lasso Guard is particularly effective in gi-based Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where sleeve grips provide the necessary control foundation. The position can be played from various configurations - with the non-lasso leg establishing hooks, creating distance with foot placement on the hip or bicep, or combining with other guard elements like collar control or De La Riva hooks. Advanced practitioners often use Lasso Guard as a transitional position, flowing between different open guard systems while maintaining constant pressure on the opponent.
The guard’s effectiveness lies in its ability to control distance while simultaneously threatening with attacks. When the opponent attempts to stand or pass, the lasso creates immediate off-balancing opportunities. When they stay low to avoid sweeps, the position opens up submission opportunities including triangles, omoplatas, and armbar variations. This dual threat system forces opponents into constant defensive reactions, making it a high-percentage control position for both sport competition and self-defense scenarios.
Historically, Lasso Guard gained prominence through Brazilian competitors in the early 2000s, with athletes like Robson Moura, Samuel Braga, and Michael Langhi demonstrating its effectiveness at the highest levels of competition. The position has since evolved to include numerous variations, entry methods, and integration with modern guard systems. Contemporary competitors continue to develop new applications, particularly in no-gi adaptations using overhook control instead of sleeve grips.
Understanding Lasso Guard requires appreciation for both its strengths and limitations. While it offers tremendous control over one arm, it commits your leg to a specific position that can be vulnerable to certain passing methods. Successful application demands constant grip management, hip mobility, and the ability to transition fluidly when the opponent begins to counter the position. Mastery involves developing the sensitivity to recognize when to maintain the lasso and when to abandon it for superior positions.
Key Principles
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Maintain constant tension on the trapped sleeve while extending your lasso leg to create maximum leverage against the opponent’s shoulder joint
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Control distance with your non-lasso leg by posting on the hip, bicep, or establishing secondary hooks to prevent forward pressure
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Keep your hips mobile and angled perpendicular to the opponent to maximize sweep angles and prevent them from stacking or settling their weight
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Establish secondary grips on the collar, lapel, or pants to create multiple control points that support your primary lasso control
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Threaten constant off-balancing movements to prevent the opponent from establishing stable passing grips or proper posture
Top vs Bottom
| Variant | Bottom Risk | Top Risk | Bottom Energy | Top Energy | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lasso Guard | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Sleeve extension trades mobility for sweeps |
| Inverted Lasso Guard | Medium to High | Medium to High | High | Medium | Inverted posture creates superior sweep angles |
| Russian Leg Lasso | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Deep lasso with extra grip controls |
Playing as Bottom
Key Principles
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Extend the lasso leg fully to create maximum leverage against the opponent’s shoulder while pulling the sleeve grip toward your chest
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Keep your hips active and mobile, constantly adjusting angles to prevent the opponent from settling their weight or establishing stable passing grips
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Use your non-lasso leg dynamically to post on the hip when they pressure forward, hook the leg when they attempt to circle, or create spider pressure on the free arm
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Maintain constant tension on all grips to prevent the opponent from freeing their arm or establishing superior controlling positions
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Chain attacks together fluidly, transitioning between sweeps, submissions, and guard recoveries based on the opponent’s defensive reactions
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Recognize when to abandon the lasso early if the opponent successfully counters, recovering to alternative guard positions before losing control completely
Primary Techniques
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- Success Rate: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
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Triangle Setup → Triangle Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 60%
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Omoplata Sweep → Omoplata Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 55%
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De La Riva Sweep → Back Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 60%
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Spider Guard Sweeps → Side Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 35%, Advanced 50%
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Armbar from Guard → Armbar Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 55%
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Kimura from Guard → Kimura Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 35%, Advanced 50%
Common Mistakes
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❌ Allowing the lasso leg to bend or collapse, reducing the leverage and control over the opponent’s arm
- Consequence: Opponent easily frees their arm and establishes dominant passing grips or posture, negating the guard’s effectiveness
- ✅ Correction: Actively extend and straighten the lasso leg while pulling the sleeve grip toward your chest to maintain maximum tension and control
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❌ Keeping hips flat on the mat instead of angled perpendicular to the opponent
- Consequence: Opponent can settle their weight directly onto you, reducing sweep angles and making it easier to pass around the guard
- ✅ Correction: Constantly adjust hip position to remain perpendicular to the opponent’s centerline, creating optimal angles for off-balancing and sweeps
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❌ Neglecting to control distance with the non-lasso leg, allowing opponent to close the gap and pressure forward
- Consequence: Opponent drives their knee through the center or stacks you, overwhelming the lasso control through superior positioning
- ✅ Correction: Actively use the non-lasso leg to post on the hip when opponent pressures forward, creating frames that maintain proper distance
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❌ Maintaining the lasso grip too long when the opponent has successfully countered, trying to force attacks from compromised positions
- Consequence: Opponent completes their pass or achieves dominant position while you remain committed to a position that no longer offers control
- ✅ Correction: Recognize early when the lasso is being defeated and proactively transition to alternative guards or retention strategies
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❌ Failing to establish secondary control points like collar grips, lapel grips, or opposite arm control
- Consequence: Opponent has free movement with their uncontrolled arm and can establish passing grips or disrupt your lasso control
- ✅ Correction: Always establish secondary grips with the free hand to create multiple control points that support and enhance the primary lasso
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❌ Using only the lasso without threatening attacks, allowing opponent to patiently work on passing rather than defending sweeps
- Consequence: Opponent methodically addresses the lasso control without urgency, eventually finding passing solutions through patient technique
- ✅ Correction: Constantly threaten sweeps and submissions to force defensive reactions that create additional opportunities and prevent patient passing
Playing as Top
Key Principles
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Address the lasso control systematically before attempting aggressive passing - clear or minimize the sleeve grip and leg positioning that create mechanical disadvantage
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Maintain wide base with your legs to prevent being swept, particularly protecting against triangle and hook sweep variations
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Control the opponent’s non-lasso leg immediately to prevent them establishing secondary controls or transitioning to other guard systems
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Use strategic posture changes between upright and forward pressure based on the opponent’s reactions and attack attempts
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Create angles that reduce the lasso’s perpendicular force vector, particularly by stepping over the leg or driving the knee through their guard
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Remain patient and methodical, recognizing that rushing into passing attempts while fully lassoed typically results in being swept or submitted
Primary Techniques
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Lasso Guard Pass → Side Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 60%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 55%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 60%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 25%, Intermediate 40%, Advanced 55%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 60%
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- Success Rate: Beginner 20%, Intermediate 35%, Advanced 50%
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Kimura from Standing → Kimura Control
- Success Rate: Beginner 15%, Intermediate 25%, Advanced 40%
Common Mistakes
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❌ Attempting aggressive passing immediately without addressing the lasso control first
- Consequence: Opponent easily sweeps you using the mechanical advantage of the fully established lasso position
- ✅ Correction: First address the lasso through grip breaks, posture adjustments, or strategic pressure before committing to passing attempts
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❌ Keeping base too narrow while caught in lasso, making you vulnerable to off-balancing attacks
- Consequence: Opponent sweeps you easily using hook sweeps, triangle sweeps, or omoplata variations that exploit your compromised base
- ✅ Correction: Maintain wide leg base even with one arm trapped, using your free arm and legs to create stable triangular support structure
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❌ Neglecting to control the opponent’s non-lasso leg, allowing them to establish secondary hooks or guards
- Consequence: Opponent transitions to De La Riva, X-guard, or other guard systems while maintaining the lasso, creating multi-layered problems
- ✅ Correction: Immediately establish control on the non-lasso leg with your free hand or by pinning it with your leg positioning
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❌ Remaining in static posture without making adjustments as the opponent attacks
- Consequence: Opponent patiently works their sweeps and submissions against your unchanging position, eventually finding success
- ✅ Correction: Dynamically adjust posture between upright and forward pressure based on opponent’s attacks, never allowing them to settle into optimal attacking position
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❌ Pulling back or away from the lasso instead of addressing it strategically
- Consequence: You extend the opponent’s lasso even further, increasing their leverage and making the position stronger for them
- ✅ Correction: Step over the lasso leg or drive forward strategically to reduce the perpendicular angle rather than pulling straight back
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❌ Using excessive strength to muscle through the lasso without proper technique
- Consequence: You expend enormous energy while making minimal progress, eventually fatiguing and becoming vulnerable to submissions
- ✅ Correction: Use technical solutions like specific grip breaks, angle changes, and pressure application rather than relying on strength alone