Facing Lasso Guard Top presents unique technical challenges that require systematic understanding of grip breaking, pressure application, and passing mechanics. The opponent’s lasso creates a powerful lever against your trapped arm, restricting mobility and base while exposing you to constant sweep threats. Success in this position demands methodical approach to neutralizing the lasso’s mechanical advantage while advancing your passing game.
The fundamental problem when caught in lasso guard is the asymmetric control the bottom player establishes. Your trapped arm becomes a liability, unable to post effectively or establish grips that support passing. This forces you to rely heavily on your free arm and legs for base and pressure, making you vulnerable to off-balancing attacks. Understanding this mechanical disadvantage is essential for developing appropriate counter-strategies.
Effective top play against lasso requires prioritizing grip fighting and positional adjustments before attempting aggressive passing. Your first objective is addressing the sleeve grip and leg positioning that create the lasso control. This often involves specific grip breaks, posture adjustments, or creating angles that reduce the lasso’s effectiveness. Rushing into passing attempts while the lasso remains fully established typically results in being swept or submitted.
Successful passers against lasso guard demonstrate patience and systematic technique. They recognize that clearing the lasso completely may not be necessary - reducing its effectiveness enough to establish passing grips and pressure often suffices. Common strategies include stepping over the lasso leg to remove the perpendicular angle, driving the knee through to create smashing pressure, or using specific grip breaks combined with posture changes to minimize the leverage disadvantage.
The position also offers offensive opportunities when approached correctly. If the bottom player becomes too committed to maintaining the lasso, certain submission entries become available, particularly kimuras and armlocks on the non-lasso arm. Additionally, when they extend the lasso leg fully, leg lock entries can present themselves for those training in leg entanglement systems. These counter-attacking options force the bottom player to balance their offensive threats against their defensive vulnerabilities.
Advanced understanding involves recognizing the relationship between your posture, weight distribution, and the lasso’s effectiveness. Upright posture makes you vulnerable to sweeps but helps maintain base. Driving forward reduces sweep angles but exposes you to submissions. Learning to dynamically adjust between these positions based on the opponent’s reactions separates competent passers from those who struggle consistently against lasso guard.
Developing competency on top in lasso guard situations builds fundamental skills applicable across many guard passing scenarios: grip fighting under disadvantage, maintaining composure under constant pressure, and systematic problem-solving when faced with mechanical disadvantages. These attributes prove valuable far beyond this specific position.
Position Definition
- Your arm is threaded through the opponent’s shin creating a lasso control that restricts your mobility and base on that side
- The opponent maintains a tight sleeve grip on your trapped arm, creating a lever system against your shoulder
- Your trapped arm cannot effectively post or establish controlling grips while the lasso remains engaged
- You must rely primarily on your free arm and leg positioning to maintain base and generate passing pressure
Prerequisites
- Solid understanding of guard passing fundamentals including pressure, base maintenance, and grip fighting principles
- Experience with grip breaking techniques and strategies for dealing with extended guard controls
- Knowledge of stack passing, knee cut passing, and smash passing mechanics applicable to open guard situations
- Understanding of when to stand versus when to remain low during guard passing sequences
- Basic awareness of sweep defense and base recovery when off-balanced from guard positions
Key Offensive Principles
- Address the lasso control systematically before attempting aggressive passing - clear or minimize the sleeve grip and leg positioning that create mechanical disadvantage
- Maintain wide base with your legs to prevent being swept, particularly protecting against triangle and hook sweep variations
- Control the opponent’s non-lasso leg immediately to prevent them establishing secondary controls or transitioning to other guard systems
- Use strategic posture changes between upright and forward pressure based on the opponent’s reactions and attack attempts
- Create angles that reduce the lasso’s perpendicular force vector, particularly by stepping over the leg or driving the knee through their guard
- Remain patient and methodical, recognizing that rushing into passing attempts while fully lassoed typically results in being swept or submitted
Available Attacks
Lasso Guard Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Stack Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Knee Cut Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Smash Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Toreando Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Pressure Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Long Step Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Kimura from Standing → Kimura Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 15%
- Intermediate: 25%
- Advanced: 40%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent maintains tight lasso with strong sleeve grip and extended leg creating maximum leverage:
- Execute Lasso Guard Pass → Side Control (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Stack Pass → Side Control (Probability: 45%)
If opponent attempts to sweep by pulling you forward and off-balancing toward the lasso side:
- Execute Stack Defense → Headquarters Position (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Pressure Pass → Side Control (Probability: 50%)
If opponent’s non-lasso leg becomes available or loses positional control:
- Execute Knee Cut Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Leg Weave Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
If you successfully reduce lasso pressure through grip breaks or posture changes:
- Execute Toreando Pass → Side Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Long Step Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
If opponent over-commits to lasso and exposes their non-lasso arm or neck:
- Execute Kimura from Standing → Kimura Control (Probability: 45%)
- Execute Smash Pass → Side Control (Probability: 50%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Counter Kimura from Lasso Top
Lasso Guard Top → Kimura from Standing → Kimura Control → Kimura
Pass to Submission Chain
Lasso Guard Top → Knee Cut Pass → Side Control → Americana from Side Control
Stack Pass to Mount Attacks
Lasso Guard Top → Stack Pass → Mount → Armbar from Mount
Pressure Pass to North-South
Lasso Guard Top → Pressure Pass → North-South → North-South Choke
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 35% | 30% | 10% |
| Intermediate | 55% | 50% | 20% |
| Advanced | 70% | 65% | 35% |
Average Time in Position: 60-120 seconds typically required to systematically clear lasso and complete passing sequence
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
Dealing with lasso guard from top requires understanding the fundamental mechanical problem it creates. The opponent has established a lever system that uses your own arm against you, creating a perpendicular force that compromises your base and mobility. Your response must be systematic and technical rather than reactive or strength-based. The most effective approach involves first recognizing which specific variation of lasso control they’ve established - is it purely lasso, or combined with De La Riva hooks, collar grips, or other controls? Each variation requires slightly different solutions. Generally, your priority is reducing the perpendicular angle that gives the lasso its power. This can be accomplished by stepping over the lasso leg, driving your knee through to create a smashing angle, or using specific grip breaks that allow you to recover your trapped arm’s functionality. Superior passers demonstrate patience in this process, recognizing that attempting to pass before addressing the lasso’s mechanical advantage typically results in being swept. The position teaches important lessons about systematic problem-solving when facing mechanical disadvantage.
Gordon Ryan
When I’m caught in lasso guard, my immediate focus is on preventing the opponent from settling into their optimal attacking position. I don’t wait for them to establish their full system - I’m immediately working on grip breaks, posture adjustments, and creating movement that disrupts their control. The key is understanding that lasso is strongest when you remain static and allow them to find their sweep timing. If I can’t clear the lasso immediately, I focus on controlling their non-lasso leg to prevent them from establishing secondary systems like De La Riva or X-guard. Against high-level lasso players, I often find standing to be effective - it changes the angles and forces them to transition their controls, creating opportunities during that adjustment period. The psychological aspect is important too - many people panic when caught in lasso and try to muscle through it, which plays directly into the bottom player’s game. I stay calm, work systematically, and recognize that taking an extra 30 seconds to properly address the position before passing is more efficient than rushing and getting swept repeatedly.
Eddie Bravo
Lasso guard can be frustrating to deal with if you don’t have a systematic approach, especially in the gi where the grips are so strong. In our no-gi game, we adapt by treating overhook situations similarly to how gi players deal with lasso - the same perpendicular control principles apply. When facing lasso, I emphasize creating chaos through movement rather than trying to methodically clear everything. If I can get them moving and defending, they often lose the tight control needed for effective lasso. One approach we use is immediately attacking their non-lasso arm with kimura grips or guillotine threats - this forces them to defend rather than attack and often causes them to release or weaken the lasso. The creative aspect is important - if traditional passing isn’t working, look for unconventional solutions like cartwheel passes, leg drag variations, or even pulling guard yourself to reset the engagement. The worst thing you can do is stay in lasso guard for extended periods trying the same passing attempt repeatedly. Stay innovative, stay moving, and look for opportunities in the transitions rather than trying to win the static position battle.