The Leg Weave Top Position is an advanced guard passing control where the top player threads one leg between the bottom player’s legs while maintaining upper body control. This position creates a powerful passing platform by neutralizing the bottom player’s leg-based guards and frames, particularly effective against opponents who rely heavily on knee shield, butterfly hooks, or other leg-based defensive structures. The leg weave represents a transitional control point in modern BJJ guard passing systems, bridging the gap between initial guard engagement and final passing positions like side control or mount. The position is characterized by the top player’s leg creating a weave pattern through the opponent’s guard, disrupting their defensive structure while maintaining forward pressure and control. Mastery of the leg weave position requires precise weight distribution, understanding of angles, and the ability to chain multiple passing sequences together. Elite practitioners use this position to create passing dilemmas where the bottom player must choose between defending different passing threats, often leading to successful guard passes with high percentage rates at advanced levels. The position has become increasingly prevalent in modern no-gi grappling where traditional gi grips are unavailable, forcing practitioners to rely more heavily on positional mechanics and weight distribution.
Position Definition
- Top player’s lead leg is threaded between bottom player’s legs, creating a weaving pattern that disrupts defensive leg positioning and prevents the bottom player from establishing effective guard retention frames
- Upper body control maintained through grips on the opponent’s collar, sleeves, or underhooks, with the top player’s chest pressure directed toward the bottom player’s upper body to prevent them from sitting up or creating distance
- Bottom player on their back or side with limited ability to establish butterfly hooks, knee shield, or other leg-based defensive structures due to the top player’s leg positioning disrupting their base and frame
- Top player’s hips positioned forward and low, creating constant forward pressure that drives through the bottom player’s center line while maintaining balance and preventing the bottom player from recovering guard or sweeping
- Weight distribution favoring the lead leg side, with the top player’s base controlled through their non-weaving leg and hands, creating a stable platform that allows for dynamic passing movements while maintaining pressure
Prerequisites
- Initial guard engagement from standing or combat base position
- Successful opening of closed guard or engagement with open guard variations
- Control of at least one upper body grip (collar, sleeve, or underhook)
- Bottom player unable to establish effective knee shield or butterfly hook retention
- Top player’s posture and base stable enough to thread leg without being swept
Key Offensive 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
Available Attacks
Leg Weave Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Knee Slice Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Leg Drag Pass → Leg Drag Position
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Smash Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Over-Under Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Long Step Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Transition to Mount → Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Back Step → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 15%
- Intermediate: 30%
- Advanced: 45%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent attempts to create frames with arms or recover knee shield position:
- Execute Knee Slice Pass → Side Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Leg Weave Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
If opponent turns away or attempts to come up to turtle position:
- Execute Leg Drag Pass → Back Control (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Back Step → Back Control (Probability: 50%)
If opponent flattens out completely and attempts to use leg positioning to prevent pass:
- Execute Smash Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Over-Under Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
If opponent attempts deep half guard entry or underhook sweep:
- Execute Back Step → Back Control (Probability: 45%)
- Execute Sprawl Defense → Headquarters Position (Probability: 50%)
Optimal Submission Paths
High-percentage control to submission path
Leg Weave Top → Side Control → Americana from Side Control
Back attack path via exposure
Leg Weave Top → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Mount control to armbar path
Leg Weave Top → Mount → Armbar from Mount
Leg entanglement path for advanced practitioners
Leg Weave Top → Ashi Garami → Inside Heel Hook
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 50% | 35% | 5% |
| Intermediate | 65% | 55% | 10% |
| Advanced | 75% | 70% | 15% |
Average Time in Position: 30-60 seconds for pass completion at advanced level
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The leg weave represents a sophisticated passing mechanism that exploits fundamental principles of base disruption and frame negation. When you thread your leg between the opponent’s legs, you’re systematically destroying their ability to create the leg-based frames that are essential to modern guard retention. The key is understanding that this is not merely a leg position, but a complete control system. Your weaved leg must pin their bottom leg while your upper body controls prevent them from sitting up. The biomechanics demand that you maintain constant forward pressure with your hips while using your grips to control their upper body rotation. This creates a situation where the bottom player cannot effectively use their legs for framing or their upper body for posture recovery. The position becomes exponentially more powerful when you understand it as a platform for creating passing dilemmas rather than a singular passing technique. By threatening knee slice, leg drag, and smash pass simultaneously, you force the opponent into defensive choices that inevitably open passing lanes.
Gordon Ryan
In competition, the leg weave is one of my highest percentage passing positions because it completely shuts down modern guard retention systems that rely on leg-based frames. When I get my leg threaded deep between their legs, I’m immediately looking to chain passes together - if they defend the knee slice, I’m going to the leg drag; if they defend the leg drag, I’m smashing through or taking the back. The position works so well because most people train guard retention based on keeping the passer at distance with knee shields and butterfly hooks, but the leg weave destroys those frames before they can even establish them. What makes this position elite-level is that you’re not just passing - you’re controlling the pace and creating situations where every defensive movement opens up a different passing opportunity. Against high-level opponents, I’m constantly adjusting my pressure and grips to keep them guessing which pass is coming. The leg weave gives me that control and those options, which is why it’s a fundamental part of my no-gi passing system.
Eddie Bravo
The leg weave is sick for no-gi because it takes away all those annoying leg frames that people use to stall out guard passing. When you thread that leg deep, you’re basically telling their legs ‘you don’t work anymore’ and then it’s game over for their guard. I teach my guys to think of it as creating a highway to the pass - once your leg is woven in, you’ve got a straight shot to side control or the back depending on how they react. The beauty of this position is that it works perfectly with the modern leg lock game too. If they try to enter on your legs while you’re in the leg weave, you’re already in perfect position to counter with leg entanglements or take their back. What’s really innovative about the leg weave is how it bridges old school pressure passing with new school leg lock systems. You can use it to pass traditionally, or you can use it as an entry point into the saddle or other leg attack positions. That versatility makes it essential for the complete modern grappler who needs to threaten both positional dominance and leg attacks.