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Inverted Lasso Guard

Dec 09, 202510 min read

Inverted Lasso Guard represents an advanced variation of traditional lasso guard where the practitioner maintains the lasso hook while inverting their body position, typically rolling backwards onto their shoulders while keeping one leg laced through the opponent’s arm. This position emerged from modern sport jiu-jitsu as competitors discovered that inverting created superior angles for sweeps and back takes that were difficult to counter from standard lasso positioning.

The fundamental structure involves threading one leg through the opponent’s arm while maintaining grip control on the same-side sleeve, then rolling backwards into an inverted posture. This inversion creates a fulcrum effect where the lasso hook becomes dramatically more powerful, as the practitioner’s entire body weight can now be used to off-balance the opponent. The position is particularly effective against opponents who successfully establish strong base against traditional lasso guard, as the inversion changes the vector of force completely.

From the bottom perspective, inverted lasso guard demands exceptional flexibility, core strength, and spatial awareness. The inverted practitioner must maintain constant tension on the lasso hook while managing their own body position, often supporting weight on their shoulders and upper back. The position naturally flows into berimbolo entries, kiss of the dragon back takes, and various overhead sweeps. The key is maintaining the lasso lock throughout the inversion, as losing this connection typically results in the pass.

From the top perspective, defending inverted lasso guard requires understanding the sweep mechanics and maintaining forward pressure while preventing the hip rotation that enables back takes. Top players must decide between extracting the lassoed arm, countering the inversion with their own movement, or accepting the sweep to land in a favorable position. The position creates significant dilemmas as defending the sweep often opens submission entries, while defending submissions can expose the back.

The position’s effectiveness stems from its ability to generate momentum and angles that are geometrically difficult to counter. When the bottom player inverts, they create rotational force that compounds with the lasso hook’s leverage, making sweeps highly probable even against larger opponents. Additionally, the inverted position obscures the bottom player’s intentions, as the same setup can lead to berimbolo, overhead sweep, or kiss of the dragon depending on the opponent’s reaction.

Inverted lasso guard fits into broader guard systems as a transitional position rather than a static holding pattern. It connects naturally to spider guard, traditional lasso guard, and de la riva guard, often appearing mid-sequence when opponents attempt to pass standard open guard positions. Modern competitors use it as part of integrated systems where they flow between upright and inverted positions to maintain offensive pressure. The position exemplifies the evolution of sport jiu-jitsu toward more dynamic, movement-based guard systems that prioritize constant attacking over positional stalemates.

Key Principles

  • Maintain lasso hook tension throughout inversion - losing the lock eliminates all sweep mechanics

  • Use shoulder and upper back as base points - neck pressure indicates poor weight distribution

  • Generate rotational momentum rather than static pulling - movement creates unstoppable force

  • Inversion is transitional not terminal - stay inverted only as long as needed to complete technique

  • Control opponent’s posture with free leg and grips - prevent them from establishing vertical base

  • Chain inversion with other guard positions - seamless transitions prevent opponent adaptation

  • Hip mobility determines effectiveness - limited flexibility requires modified angles

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeOffensiveDefensive with offensive options
Risk LevelMedium to HighMedium to High
Energy CostHighMedium
TimeShortMedium

Key Difference: Inverted posture creates superior sweep angles

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain continuous tension on lasso hook throughout inversion - any slack allows arm extraction and position loss

  • Use shoulders and upper back as weight-bearing surfaces, never the neck - proper weight distribution prevents injury and maintains mobility

  • Generate rotational momentum with hip movement - the sweep power comes from angular momentum, not static pulling

  • Keep free leg active for posting and attacking - this leg controls opponent’s hip and initiates berimbolo sequences

  • Chain inversions with returns to upright guard - constant position changes prevent opponent adaptation and create openings

  • Control distance with grips and leg position - preventing opponent from creating space is essential for maintaining offensive pressure

  • Recognize when inversion has accomplished its purpose and return to stable position - extended inversion drains energy without added benefit

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Placing weight on neck instead of shoulders during inversion

    • Consequence: Creates dangerous cervical spine pressure, risks serious injury, and eliminates hip mobility needed for techniques
    • ✅ Correction: Roll weight onto shoulder blades and upper back, keeping chin tucked to chest but weight distributed across broad surface area rather than concentrated on neck vertebrae

  • ❌ Releasing lasso hook tension during the inversion movement

    • Consequence: Allows opponent to extract their arm completely, eliminating all sweep mechanics and leaving bottom player in vulnerable inverted position without control
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant pulling pressure with lassoed leg throughout the roll, treating the hook as a fixed connection point that never slackens regardless of body movement

  • ❌ Remaining inverted too long without initiating technique

    • Consequence: Drains energy rapidly, allows opponent to establish counter-grips and pressure, telegraphs limited technical repertoire
    • ✅ Correction: Use inversion as transitional moment to enter sweep or back take, spending maximum 2-3 seconds inverted before completing technique or returning to upright guard

  • ❌ Failing to control opponent’s hip with free leg

    • Consequence: Allows opponent to step around and pass, eliminates berimbolo entries, reduces sweep angles and effectiveness
    • ✅ Correction: Keep free leg active, posting on opponent’s hip or threading behind back to control their base and create attacking angles

  • ❌ Using only arm strength to pull on sleeve grip

    • Consequence: Grips fail under pressure, techniques lack power, arms fatigue quickly making position unsustainable
    • ✅ Correction: Connect sleeve grip to body position and hip movement, using entire body rotation to generate force rather than isolated arm pulling

  • ❌ Inverting without proper grip establishment first

    • Consequence: Opponent easily counters inversion with pressure, pass opportunities open immediately, position never develops offensive potential
    • ✅ Correction: Establish strong lasso hook and secure sleeve grip before initiating inversion, ensuring all control points are locked before changing body position

  • ❌ Allowing opponent to pin inverted hip to mat with their weight

    • Consequence: Eliminates all hip mobility, prevents rotation needed for sweeps and back takes, creates easy passing opportunity
    • ✅ Correction: Keep hips elevated and mobile throughout inversion, never letting opponent control them with downward pressure - adjust angle or return to upright guard if hips become pinned

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Recognize inversion immediately and respond within 1-2 seconds - delayed reactions allow bottom player to establish angle and initiate attacks

  • Maintain forward pressure angle while preventing shoulder rotation - pressure must be directional, not purely downward

  • Control opponent’s hips with free hand to limit mobility - hip control is the key to preventing berimbolo and overhead sweeps

  • Extract lassoed arm systematically, not explosively - violent pulling typically fails and opens counter-attacks

  • Use strategic weight shifts to make inversion uncomfortable - forcing bottom player to support your weight exhausts them rapidly

  • Threaten counters that force opponent to abandon inversion - submission threats and pass attempts make holding inverted position untenable

  • Stay connected rather than creating distance - space allows bottom player to reset and reinvert with better angles

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Driving forward pressure directly into inverted opponent’s hips

    • Consequence: Feeds directly into overhead sweep mechanics, adding momentum to bottom player’s technique and making sweep nearly impossible to stop
    • ✅ Correction: Angle pressure toward shoulders and chest rather than hips, keeping hips back and base wide to prevent forward momentum that assists sweeps

  • ❌ Creating distance by stepping back away from inverted guard

    • Consequence: Opens massive space for berimbolo entries, allows bottom player to thread legs and rotate behind back easily
    • ✅ Correction: Stay connected with strategic pressure points while controlling hips, preventing rotation without giving space

  • ❌ Attempting to forcefully rip lassoed arm free with explosive pulling

    • Consequence: Typically fails against tight lasso, exhausts grip strength, and creates momentum that bottom player can use for sweeps
    • ✅ Correction: Extract arm systematically by first addressing the ankle grip, creating slack in the lasso, then removing arm in controlled manner

  • ❌ Remaining static with square hips while opponent inverts

    • Consequence: Eliminates mobility needed to counter rotations, makes body easy target for sweeps from multiple angles
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain active base with constant micro-adjustments, keeping hips mobile and ready to follow opponent’s movement or counter-rotate

  • ❌ Ignoring free leg that isn’t involved in lasso

    • Consequence: Allows bottom player to post on hip, control distance, and initiate berimbolo or other techniques unopposed
    • ✅ Correction: Control free leg with hand or by pinning with hip, preventing it from posting or creating angles

  • ❌ Dropping weight onto inverted opponent’s chest with full commitment

    • Consequence: Transfers all weight to opponent’s strongest structural position (shoulder bridge), enables easy sweep with hip extension
    • ✅ Correction: Distribute weight strategically, keeping majority on own base with controlled pressure on opponent’s less mobile points

  • ❌ Failing to recognize inversion initiation, responding only after position established

    • Consequence: Misses optimal defensive window, allows bottom player to secure ideal angle making counters exponentially more difficult
    • ✅ Correction: Develop pattern recognition for inversion cues (shoulder drop, hip rotation), respond immediately during transition rather than after completion

  • Lasso Guard - Parent position - inverted lasso is a dynamic variation of traditional lasso

  • Spider Guard - Common entry point - spider guard often transitions to inverted lasso

  • De La Riva Guard - Adjacent guard system - shares similar hip positioning and sweep mechanics

  • Inverted Guard - Related inverted position - shares body mechanics and spatial requirements

  • Reverse De La Riva Guard - Complementary guard - often combined in sequences

  • X-Guard - Sweep destination - many inverted lasso sweeps finish in X-guard

  • Back Control - Offensive target - kiss of the dragon and berimbolo lead to back

  • Triangle Control - Submission option - inverted position enables overhead triangle entries

  • Omoplata Control - Submission threat - natural shoulder lock entries from inverted position