BJJ Graph

Leg Weave

Dec 09, 20258 min read

Leg Weave is a sophisticated guard passing position where one player threads their leg between the opponent’s legs to establish control and disrupt defensive structures. This position represents a critical juncture in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where the passer creates a mechanical advantage through leg positioning while the bottom player must employ specific defensive strategies to prevent the pass or create counter-attacks.

The position is most commonly encountered during half guard passing sequences, where the top player weaves their knee-side leg through the guard structure to neutralize the bottom player’s hooks and frames. This creates a unique control dynamic where the top player can distribute weight effectively while the bottom player faces limited mobility and must rely on precise framing and timing to escape or reverse.

From the bottom perspective, leg weave represents a high-pressure defensive scenario requiring immediate frame establishment and hip movement to prevent complete flattening. The bottom player must understand specific escape pathways including knee shield recovery, deep half entries, and dogfight transitions. From the top perspective, the position offers multiple passing options based on opponent reactions, including knee slice, smash pass, and leg drag variations.

Mastery of both perspectives is essential for modern grapplers, as the leg weave has become increasingly prevalent in high-level competition where traditional guard retention methods are systematically dismantled. Understanding the mechanical principles, pressure points, and timing windows from both angles creates a complete picture of this transitional battleground.

Key Principles

  • Leg weave disrupts guard structure by threading through defensive frames, creating asymmetric control that favors the passer

  • Bottom player must immediately establish frames and hip movement to prevent complete flattening and maintain escape options

  • Top player maintains constant forward pressure with low hips to consolidate position and prevent guard recovery

  • Position creates multiple passing dilemmas where defending one threat opens pathways to alternative passes

  • Understanding weight distribution between upper body and leg positioning is critical for both maintaining and escaping control

  • The weave position is fundamentally transitional - both players must be prepared to flow to adjacent positions based on reactions

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeDefensiveOffensive/Controlling
Risk LevelHighLow to Medium
Energy CostHighMedium
TimeShortMedium

Key Difference: Threading leg trades mobility for passing power

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Establish and maintain strong defensive frames using forearms against opponent’s neck, shoulder, or hip to prevent complete flattening

  • Keep active hip movement and angle creation to prevent top player from settling their weight and consolidating position

  • Protect the underhook battle - fight to maintain or recover underhook on the near side to limit top player’s control

  • Use far-side leg (hook) actively to disrupt balance and prevent top player from stepping over or completing passes

  • Create space through bridging and shrimping movements to insert knee shield or recover full guard structure

  • Monitor and defend crossface pressure - prevent head control which enables easier passing sequences

  • Maintain awareness of back exposure - avoid turning too far into opponent when attempting escapes

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Allowing top player to establish deep crossface without fighting for frames

    • Consequence: Complete flattening occurs, eliminating hip mobility and making escapes extremely difficult. Top player can consolidate position and pass at will.
    • ✅ Correction: Immediately establish forearm or elbow frame against opponent’s neck or shoulder as leg weave begins. Keep active resistance to prevent head control. Prioritize frame maintenance over other defensive actions initially.

  • ❌ Releasing far-side leg hook prematurely in attempt to escape

    • Consequence: Top player completes pass immediately to side control or mount without resistance. Loss of only remaining connection point accelerates positional loss.
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain far-side hook throughout escape attempts unless deliberately transitioning to deep half or other guard recovery. Use hook to off-balance opponent and create scramble opportunities. Only release when secured alternative position.

  • ❌ Remaining static and accepting the position without hip movement

    • Consequence: Top player settles weight and consolidates leg weave, making escape progressively more difficult. Energy depletes while defending without attempting improvement.
    • ✅ Correction: Keep constant hip movement even if small - shrimp, bridge, angle changes. Never accept static position. Create micro-adjustments that prevent opponent from settling and set up larger escape movements.

  • ❌ Turning fully into opponent to escape, exposing back

    • Consequence: Top player takes back control or achieves crucifix position. What began as guard pass defense becomes back attack defense with worse odds.
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain awareness of back exposure threshold. When turning to dogfight or deep half, keep shoulders within 45 degrees of mat. If forced further, transition to turtle with defensive posture rather than giving up back mount.

  • ❌ Using only upper body strength to fight frames without hip engagement

    • Consequence: Arms fatigue quickly while top player maintains pressure through better leverage. Frame battle is lost leading to flattening and pass.
    • ✅ Correction: Coordinate frame pressure with hip movement and leg engagement. Use shrimping motion to create angle that makes frames more effective. Engage core and legs to support arm frames rather than isolated upper body pushing.

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Thread the lead leg deep between opponent’s legs while maintaining upper body connection and forward pressure

  • Keep hips low and driving forward to prevent bottom player from creating space or recovering guard

  • Control opponent’s upper body with grips or underhooks to prevent them from sitting up or framing effectively

  • Use the weaved leg to pin opponent’s bottom leg while freeing the top leg for passing

  • Maintain constant pressure and angle changes to prevent bottom player from establishing defensive frames

  • Chain multiple passing threats together to create dilemmas for the bottom player

  • Keep weight distributed between the weaved leg and supporting leg to maintain balance and prevent sweeps

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Threading leg too shallow between opponent’s legs without deep penetration

    • Consequence: Bottom player can easily recover knee shield or butterfly hooks, negating the leg weave control
    • ✅ Correction: Drive the lead leg deep between opponent’s legs until your knee is past their hip line, ensuring maximum disruption of their defensive structure

  • ❌ Allowing hips to rise too high or losing forward pressure during the weave

    • Consequence: Bottom player creates space to recover guard or sit up, losing passing momentum
    • ✅ Correction: Keep hips low and constantly driving forward with chest pressure directed at opponent’s upper body throughout the passing sequence

  • ❌ Neglecting upper body control while focusing solely on leg positioning

    • Consequence: Bottom player sits up, frames effectively, or creates angles that allow guard recovery
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain at least one strong upper body grip (collar, sleeve, or underhook) while threading the leg, using upper body control to prevent opponent from sitting up

  • ❌ Committing too much weight to the weaved leg, losing balance and base

    • Consequence: Bottom player can execute sweeps or recover guard by attacking the top player’s compromised balance
    • ✅ Correction: Distribute weight between weaved leg, supporting leg, and hands to maintain a stable base while applying pressure

  • ❌ Staying static in the leg weave position without chaining passing sequences

    • Consequence: Bottom player adjusts to the position and finds defensive solutions or escape routes
    • ✅ Correction: Continuously threaten multiple passing directions (knee slice, leg drag, smash pass) to create dilemmas and prevent the bottom player from settling into defensive postures

  • Half Guard - Parent position where leg weave commonly develops during passing sequences

  • Knee Shield Half Guard - Primary recovery target for bottom player escaping leg weave pressure

  • Deep Half Guard - Common counter-entry when top player drives forward pressure in leg weave

  • Side Control - Primary completion target for top player passing from leg weave

  • Headquarters Position - Related passing position with similar pressure and control concepts

  • Dogfight Position - Transitional position when bottom player comes up on elbow from leg weave

  • Lockdown - Alternative bottom strategy to trap weaving leg and counter passing pressure

  • Flattened Half Guard - Common result when bottom player fails to defend leg weave effectively

  • Leg Drag Position - Alternative passing finish when bottom player turns during leg weave