Leg drag control from the top position represents one of the most dynamic and effective passing positions in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This position serves as a critical transition point in your passing sequence, where you have successfully compromised your opponent’s guard structure but have not yet achieved a fully consolidated position. The power of leg drag control lies in its versatility—from here, you have direct pathways to side control, mount, back control, and various submission attacks, while maintaining strong positional dominance that limits your opponent’s defensive options.
The fundamental mechanics of establishing leg drag control involve isolating one of the opponent’s legs, pulling it across their body, and using it as a control point to dominate their hips. Your grip on their leg, combined with pressure on their upper body (typically the shoulder or head), creates a control system that prevents guard recovery while forcing the opponent into defensive positions. The crossed leg configuration naturally limits their hip mobility and creates mechanical disadvantages that you can exploit. Your body positioning must be dynamic rather than static—you are constantly adjusting angles, pressuring different control points, and threatening multiple advances to prevent your opponent from stabilizing their defense.
The strategic value of leg drag control comes from the multiple high-percentage options it provides. Unlike some passing positions where you have one clear objective, the leg drag creates a decision tree where you can flow between different attacks based on your opponent’s reactions. If they turn away to protect their guard, you take the back. If they stay flat, you transition to mount or side control. If they attempt to sit up, you can secure a crucifix or attack the exposed arm. This multiplicity of options creates what advanced practitioners call a ‘dilemma system’—every defensive choice the opponent makes opens a different offensive pathway for you.
From a competitive perspective, mastering leg drag control has become essential for any guard passing system. The position is particularly effective in no-gi grappling where traditional gi-based passing techniques are unavailable, though it remains highly effective in the gi as well. High-level competitors use the leg drag not just as a passing technique but as a complete position with its own retention principles, submission attacks, and counter sequences. The key to success is understanding that you must constantly be advancing—leg drag control is never a resting position, but rather a dynamic transition that you drive toward a dominant endpoint.
Position Definition
- Top player maintains control of bottom player’s near-side leg, typically with their arm threading under or around it and gripping the hip, pants, or belt. This leg control is pulled across the bottom player’s body, creating the characteristic crossed-leg position that defines the leg drag and serves as the primary control mechanism.
- Top player’s chest or shoulder applies constant pressure to the bottom player’s near hip, driving them onto their side and preventing them from facing directly into the top player. This hip pressure is critical—it prevents the bottom player from using their legs effectively for defense and creates the threat of back exposure that dominates the position’s dynamics.
- Top player’s free hand controls the bottom player’s far shoulder, head, or establishes a crossface that prevents rotation back toward the top player. This upper body control completes the system by limiting the bottom player’s ability to sit up, turn in, or create effective frames for escape.
Prerequisites
- You have entered opponent’s guard space and secured control of one leg
- Opponent’s guard structure has been compromised sufficiently to pull leg across their body
- You have established at least one upper body control point (shoulder, head, or collar)
- Your base and posture allow you to drive pressure while maintaining balance for transitions
Key Offensive Principles
- Leg drag control is transitional—never stop moving toward consolidation or submission
- Hip pressure is your primary control—drive continuously into opponent’s hip with your chest
- Threaten back take constantly to limit opponent’s defensive options
- Shoulder control prevents opponent from facing you or sitting up to recover guard
- Create angles rather than driving straight—diagonal pressure is harder to defend
- Be prepared to transition immediately when opponent creates space or turns
- Weight distribution must be dynamic—shift between control points based on opponent’s movement
Available Attacks
Leg Drag Pass to Side Control → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 65%
- Advanced: 80%
Leg Drag to Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 75%
Leg Drag to Mount → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 70%
Leg Drag to Knee on Belly → Knee on Belly
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Leg Drag to North-South → North-South
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 65%
Leg Drag to Crucifix → Crucifix
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 15%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 55%
Leg Drag to Inside Ashi → Inside Ashi-Garami
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 60%
Leg Drag to Kimura Control → Kimura Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 18%
- Intermediate: 38%
- Advanced: 58%
Leg Drag to Technical Mount → Technical Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 22%
- Intermediate: 42%
- Advanced: 62%
Leg Drag to Darce Setup → D’arce Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 12%
- Intermediate: 30%
- Advanced: 50%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent turns away to protect guard and exposes back:
- Execute Leg Drag to Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 75%)
- Execute Leg Drag to Technical Mount → Technical Mount (Probability: 25%)
If opponent stays flat on back and fights upper body control:
- Execute Leg Drag to Mount → Mount (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Leg Drag Pass to Side Control → Side Control (Probability: 40%)
If opponent attempts to sit up or turn into you:
- Execute Leg Drag to Crucifix → Crucifix (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Leg Drag to North-South → North-South (Probability: 50%)
If opponent rolls to turtle to escape:
- Execute Leg Drag to Darce Setup → D’arce Control (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Follow to Back Control → Back Control (Probability: 45%)
If opponent defends upper body strongly but you maintain leg control:
- Execute Leg Drag to Inside Ashi → Inside Ashi-Garami (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Leg Drag to Knee on Belly → Knee on Belly (Probability: 35%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Leg Drag to Back Attack
Leg Drag Control Top → Leg Drag to Back Take → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Leg Drag to Mount Finish
Leg Drag Control Top → Leg Drag to Mount → Mount → Armbar from Mount
Leg Drag to Darce
Leg Drag Control Top → Opponent Rolls to Turtle → Darce Choke → Won by Submission
Leg Drag to Crucifix
Leg Drag Control Top → Leg Drag to Crucifix → Crucifix → Choke from Crucifix
Leg Drag to Leg Lock
Leg Drag Control Top → Leg Drag to Inside Ashi → Inside Ashi-Garami → Inside Heel Hook
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 50% | 55% | 15% |
| Intermediate | 70% | 75% | 30% |
| Advanced | 85% | 90% | 45% |
Average Time in Position: 3-7 seconds before transition to side control, back control, mount, or opponent escape