Russian Leg Lasso Top is the passing position against one of the most complex lasso guard variations in modern BJJ. From top, the practitioner faces an opponent who has established a deep lasso configuration with their leg threaded through the passer’s arm, creating significant control and off-balancing potential. Unlike standard lasso guard, the Russian variation incorporates additional control points including collar grips, sleeve grips, and foot positioning that create a web of controls. The top player’s primary objective is to systematically dismantle these control points while maintaining base and preventing sweeps. Success requires understanding the mechanical principles of how the lasso works - the opponent uses their leg as a pulley system combined with gi grips to create rotational force. The position demands patience, precise grip fighting, and the ability to create angles that neutralize the lasso’s effectiveness. Elite competitors recognize this as a highly technical passing situation where rushing leads to being swept or submitted, while methodical pressure and position adjustment leads to successful guard passage. The sophisticated nature of Russian Leg Lasso means that top players must develop systematic approaches that address multiple defensive layers simultaneously - breaking or controlling key grips, managing the non-lasso leg to prevent combination attacks, maintaining proper distance and posture to negate sweep mechanics, and creating angles that make the lasso configuration untenable for the bottom player. Understanding the biomechanics of how the lasso generates force allows intelligent passers to position themselves in ways that neutralize these mechanics rather than fighting strength against leverage. Modern passing strategies incorporate a range of approaches from dynamic toreando-style passes that work around the lasso, to pressure-based methodical dismantling of controls, to strategic grip fighting that prevents the Russian Leg Lasso from reaching full effectiveness in the first place.
Position Definition
- Top player’s posture must remain upright with weight distributed through legs and hips, not leaning forward into the lasso control which amplifies the opponent’s mechanical advantage
- One arm is trapped in the lasso configuration with opponent’s leg threaded through, creating a binding effect that must be managed through proper positioning rather than pure strength
- Base maintained through proper foot positioning with wide stance, preventing the rotational sweeps that are the primary offensive threats from Russian Leg Lasso
- Opponent on their back with one leg creating the lasso while the other leg may be positioned for additional control points such as De La Riva hook, shin-to-shin contact, or butterfly hook
- Grips are actively contested with top player working to control opponent’s collar, pants, or belt while opponent seeks sleeve and collar combinations that enhance the lasso’s effectiveness
Prerequisites
- Opponent has established Russian Leg Lasso guard with leg threaded through arm
- Top player has maintained standing or combat base position
- Opponent has secured gi grips that enhance lasso control
- Top player has avoided being swept or pulled into closed guard
- Proper distance management preventing opponent from establishing additional control points
Key Offensive Principles
- Maintain upright posture with hips back to minimize the mechanical advantage of the lasso configuration
- Control opponent’s non-lasso leg to prevent combination attacks and sweep entries
- Break or control gi grips systematically, prioritizing sleeve grips that enhance rotational force
- Create pressure and angles that make the lasso position uncomfortable and unsustainable for bottom player
- Never lean forward or commit weight into the lasso as this amplifies opponent’s control and sweep potential
- Use leg positioning and weight distribution to counter rotational forces generated by the lasso
- Recognize when to address the lasso directly versus when to pass around it using positional adjustments
Available Attacks
Lasso Guard Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Knee Slice Pass → Half Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Toreando Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Long Step Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Leg Drag Pass → Leg Drag Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 28%
- Intermediate: 42%
- Advanced: 58%
Pressure Pass → Half Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 32%
- Intermediate: 47%
- Advanced: 62%
Double Under Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 22%
- Intermediate: 37%
- Advanced: 52%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent has strong collar and sleeve grips enhancing lasso control:
- Execute Grip Break → Open Guard (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Posture Recovery → Standing Guard (Probability: 30%)
If opponent’s lasso is high and tight creating immediate sweep threat:
- Execute Sprawl Defense → Headquarters Position (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Toreando Pass → Side Control (Probability: 35%)
If opponent’s non-lasso leg is uncontrolled and mobile:
- Execute Leg Drag Pass → Leg Drag Control (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Knee Slice Pass → Half Guard (Probability: 40%)
If lasso grip is broken or compromised:
- Execute Pressure Pass → Half Guard (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Lasso Guard Pass → Side Control (Probability: 50%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Shortest path to control
Russian Leg Lasso Top → Lasso Guard Pass → Side Control → Kimura from Side Control
High-percentage passing to submission
Russian Leg Lasso Top → Knee Slice Pass → Half Guard Pass → Mount → Armbar from Mount
Pressure-based control path
Russian Leg Lasso Top → Pressure Pass → Half Guard → Half Guard Pass → Side Control → Americana from Side Control
Dynamic passing approach
Russian Leg Lasso Top → Toreando Pass → Side Control → North-South → North-South Choke
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 40% | 30% | 15% |
| Intermediate | 55% | 45% | 25% |
| Advanced | 70% | 60% | 35% |
Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds