The Complete Leg Weave Pass is the decisive finishing sequence that converts an established leg weave control position into dominant side control. This transition represents the culmination of the leg weave passing system, where the passer must navigate the critical final phase of clearing the bottom player’s remaining defensive hooks while maintaining forward pressure and upper body control. The technique bridges the gap between positional control and completed pass, requiring precise coordination of weight transfer, leg extraction, and chest-to-chest consolidation.
The pass succeeds or fails based on the passer’s ability to manage a fundamental tension: extracting the threaded leg requires movement and weight shift, yet any space created during extraction provides the guard player a window to re-insert hooks or establish frames. Elite passers resolve this dilemma through graduated pressure—maintaining relentless forward drive with the upper body while methodically freeing the lower body. The crossface shoulder pressure becomes the anchor that pins the opponent in place during the vulnerable extraction phase.
Within the broader guard passing ecosystem, the Complete Leg Weave Pass functions as the terminal node of multiple passing chains. Whether the passer arrived at the leg weave through a knee slice setup, headquarters sequence, or smash pass entry, the finishing mechanics converge on the same principle: clear the remaining hook while maintaining perpendicular pressure that denies guard recovery. The technique’s reliability at high levels makes it a staple of pressure-passing game plans, particularly against opponents with active and persistent half guard retention.
From Position: Leg Weave (Top) Success Rate: 55%
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Side Control | 55% |
| Failure | Leg Weave | 25% |
| Counter | Half Guard | 20% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute technique | Prevent or counter |
| Key Principles | Anchor the upper body before extracting the lower body—cross… | Intervene early—defensive success rate drops dramatically on… |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Anchor the upper body before extracting the lower body—crossface shoulder pressure pins the opponent while you free the weaved leg
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Extract the leg gradually through rotation rather than explosive pulling, which creates space the defender can exploit
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Maintain constant forward hip drive throughout extraction to prevent the defender from following your movement
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Transfer weight perpendicular to the opponent’s torso the instant the hook clears to establish immediate side control
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Use the non-weaved leg as a posting base that adjusts dynamically to maintain balance during the extraction sequence
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Commit to the pass completion decisively—half-measures during extraction allow hook re-insertion and position reset
Execution Steps
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Consolidate upper body anchor: Drive your crossface shoulder deep into the opponent’s jaw, turning their head away from you. Secure…
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Shift weight to chest and shoulder: Transfer your weight from being distributed across your body to concentrated through your chest and …
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Begin leg extraction with hip angle: Angle your hips slightly away from the opponent while keeping your chest pressure constant. Begin ro…
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Clear the remaining hook: As your foot rotates free, drive your knee toward the mat on the far side of the opponent’s legs. Us…
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Establish perpendicular alignment: The instant your leg clears the hook, swing your hips perpendicular to the opponent’s torso and drop…
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Secure hip-to-hip contact: Drop your near hip into contact with the opponent’s far hip, eliminating the space between your bodi…
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Consolidate side control: With perpendicular alignment and hip contact established, settle your weight and adjust your base. S…
Common Mistakes
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Lifting hips to extract the weaved leg rather than using rotational extraction
- Consequence: Creates significant space under the chest that allows the bottom player to insert frames, recover knee shield, or shoot for deep half guard, resetting the passing sequence entirely
- Correction: Keep hips low throughout extraction, using a windshield wiper rotation of the foot and shin to peel free rather than lifting. Your hips should slide along the mat surface, never rising above the opponent’s hip line.
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Releasing crossface pressure during leg extraction to use the arm for base
- Consequence: Bottom player turns into you, re-establishes frames, and recovers guard positioning. The crossface is the primary anchor—without it, the opponent has full head and shoulder mobility to escape.
- Correction: Maintain crossface throughout the entire extraction sequence. Use your far hand and non-weaved leg for base adjustments. The crossface shoulder never lifts until side control is fully consolidated.
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Rushing the extraction without consolidating upper body control first
- Consequence: The extraction fails because the opponent moves with your leg rather than being pinned in place. Each failed extraction attempt gives the defender data about your timing and direction.
- Correction: Spend two to three seconds settling your upper body pressure before beginning any leg movement. The opponent should feel maximum weight and discomfort before the extraction starts, ensuring they cannot follow your lower body movement.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Intervene early—defensive success rate drops dramatically once the passer begins leg extraction, so act during the consolidation phase before extraction starts
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Maintain your remaining half guard hook as the primary defensive connection, releasing it only when transitioning to a specific alternative guard position
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Establish and maintain frames against the passer’s shoulder and hip to prevent the upper body anchor that enables extraction
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Use hip movement constantly to prevent the passer from settling their weight and creating the stable platform needed for extraction
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Commit fully to one defensive pathway rather than half-attempting multiple escapes, which creates exploitable openings
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Monitor the passer’s weight distribution—the moment they shift weight to the upper body for extraction is your best counter-attack window
Recognition Cues
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Passer increases crossface shoulder pressure significantly, driving your head away—this signals they are building the upper body anchor for extraction
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Passer’s far hand moves to control your hip or belt, blocking your ability to insert your knee—this is the setup for hook clearance
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You feel the passer’s weaved leg begin rotating or angling outward, indicating the extraction motion has started
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Passer’s chest weight increases while their hip pressure momentarily lightens—the weight transfer phase that precedes leg extraction
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Passer’s non-weaved leg adjusts to a wider base, posting further from your body to stabilize during the extraction movement
Defensive Options
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Frame against passer’s shoulder and hip escape to re-insert knee shield - When: When you detect the passer consolidating upper body pressure but before leg extraction begins. Your frames must be established before their weight fully settles.
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Dive for deep half guard entry during weight transfer phase - When: When the passer shifts weight to their upper body for extraction, momentarily lightening their hip pressure. This creates the space needed to shoot underneath them.
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Bridge and re-engage half guard hook during extraction movement - When: When you feel the passer’s leg beginning to rotate free. An explosive bridge disrupts their balance during the mechanically vulnerable extraction phase.
Position Integration
The Complete Leg Weave Pass serves as the terminal finishing sequence within the leg weave passing system, connecting the transitional control phase to established dominant positions. It integrates with knee slice, smash pass, and backstep chains as the convergent endpoint where all leg weave variations resolve into side control. The technique bridges guard passing and consolidation, making it essential for any pressure-based top game. Failure to complete this transition efficiently allows bottom players to re-engage half guard cycles, making the finishing mechanics as important as the initial guard engagement. Mastery of this pass transforms the leg weave from a stalling position into a reliable gateway to the side control submission and advancement ecosystem.