Half Guard to Leg Weave Attacker

Also known as: Knee Weave Entry from Half Guard, Leg Weave Pass Entry (attacker)

The top passer begins in Half Guard, facing a knee shield or linked leg frame. The weaving limb is the arm. Securing that control is the entry checkpoint; a pass is complete only after the hips and remaining leg hooks are cleared.

Thread the arm through the available leg gap and connect to the lower thigh or knee. Use aligned shoulder pressure and chest pressure to bring the knees together without twisting the knee joint. Avoid leaving the weaving arm extended where the bottom player can sit up into a kimura.

Move the hips and feet without collapsing all weight over the woven arm. Remove the remaining foot or half-guard hook before establishing side control. If the bottom player turns or inserts a frame, keep control of distance and reset the pass rather than forcing a fixed angle.

Move through available space with a stable base. Stop and release any trapped neck, shoulder or knee before changing direction; do not force a roll or stack to preserve the route.

Pair the weaving arm with head position and control of the opposing elbow. This hip control limits the knees following as you start to circle; reaching for a crossface before the weave is stable gives up the head-and-arm position needed to keep the shield folded.

From Position: Half Guard (Top)

Film Study

Watch Half Guard to Leg Weave (Attacker) in action — curated instructionals

The most basic half guard pass, no-gi — taught by Danny Mitchell · 1:29 · Watch on YouTube

Passing knee shield with the leg weave pass — taught by BJJ4Breakfast · 2:33 · Watch on YouTube

Key Attacking Principles

What are the key principles for executing Half Guard to Leg Weave?

• Weave the arm: Thread the arm through the available leg gap and connect to the lower thigh or knee.
• Manage the knee shield: Use aligned shoulder pressure and chest pressure to bring the knees together without twisting the knee joint.
• Keep the elbow protected: Avoid leaving the weaving arm extended where the bottom player can sit up into a kimura.
• Maintain an outside base: Move the hips and feet without collapsing all weight over the woven arm.
• Clear the legs before settling: Remove the remaining foot or half-guard hook before establishing side control.
• Follow the hips: If the bottom player turns or inserts a frame, keep control of distance and reset the pass rather than forcing a fixed angle.

Prerequisites

What do you need before attempting Half Guard to Leg Weave?

• The top passer begins in Half Guard, facing a knee shield or linked leg frame.
• Thread the arm through the available leg gap and connect to the lower thigh or knee.
• Use aligned shoulder pressure and chest pressure to bring the knees together without twisting the knee joint.
• The weaving limb is the arm. Securing that control is the entry checkpoint; a pass is complete only after the hips and remaining leg hooks are cleared.

Execution Steps

How do you execute Half Guard to Leg Weave step by step?

1. Weave the arm: Thread the arm through the available leg gap and connect to the lower thigh or knee.
2. Manage the knee shield: Use aligned shoulder pressure and chest pressure to bring the knees together without twisting the knee joint.
3. Keep the elbow protected: Avoid leaving the weaving arm extended where the bottom player can sit up into a kimura.
4. Maintain an outside base: Move the hips and feet without collapsing all weight over the woven arm.
5. Clear the legs before settling: Remove the remaining foot or half-guard hook before establishing side control.
6. Follow the hips: If the bottom player turns or inserts a frame, keep control of distance and reset the pass rather than forcing a fixed angle.

Possible Outcomes

Result	Position	Probability
Success	Leg Weave	55%
Failure	Half Guard	30%
Counter	Deep Half Guard	15%

Opponent Counters

How might your opponent counter Half Guard to Leg Weave?

• The passer’s arm connecting your legs is the relevant control, not a leg threaded across your hip. (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Re-check the prerequisite before continuing. Thread the arm through the available leg gap and connect to the lower thigh or knee. → Leads to Deep Half Guard
• Maintain a useful knee angle and upper-body frame before the passer folds the legs together. (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Re-check the prerequisite before continuing. Use aligned shoulder pressure and chest pressure to bring the knees together without twisting the knee joint. → Leads to Half Guard
• Move the hips and pummel the knee back between the bodies while the weave is still loose. (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Re-check the prerequisite before continuing. Avoid leaving the weaving arm extended where the bottom player can sit up into a kimura. → Leads to Half Guard
• Prevent the passer from flattening your shoulders while controlling the legs. (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Re-check the prerequisite before continuing. Move the hips and feet without collapsing all weight over the woven arm. → Leads to Half Guard

Common Attacking Mistakes

What mistakes should you avoid when executing Half Guard to Leg Weave?

1. Skipping the checkpoint: weave the arm

• Consequence: The intended control is not established before the next movement; the missing requirement is: Thread the arm through the available leg gap and connect to the lower thigh or knee.
• Correction: Thread the arm through the available leg gap and connect to the lower thigh or knee.

2. Skipping the checkpoint: manage the knee shield

• Consequence: The intended control is not established before the next movement; the missing requirement is: Use aligned shoulder pressure and chest pressure to bring the knees together without twisting the knee joint.
• Correction: Use aligned shoulder pressure and chest pressure to bring the knees together without twisting the knee joint.

3. Skipping the checkpoint: keep the elbow protected

• Consequence: The intended control is not established before the next movement; the missing requirement is: Avoid leaving the weaving arm extended where the bottom player can sit up into a kimura.
• Correction: Avoid leaving the weaving arm extended where the bottom player can sit up into a kimura.

4. Skipping the checkpoint: maintain an outside base

• Consequence: The intended control is not established before the next movement; the missing requirement is: Move the hips and feet without collapsing all weight over the woven arm.
• Correction: Move the hips and feet without collapsing all weight over the woven arm.

5. Skipping the checkpoint: clear the legs before settling

• Consequence: The intended control is not established before the next movement; the missing requirement is: Remove the remaining foot or half-guard hook before establishing side control.
• Correction: Remove the remaining foot or half-guard hook before establishing side control.

Training Progressions

How do you train Half Guard to Leg Weave (Attacker)?

Phase 1 - Identify the configuration Work cooperatively on weave the arm. Thread the arm through the available leg gap and connect to the lower thigh or knee. Pause at the checkpoint, check both partners’ comfort, and reset before adding resistance.

Phase 2 - Rehearse the connection Work cooperatively on manage the knee shield. Use aligned shoulder pressure and chest pressure to bring the knees together without twisting the knee joint. Pause at the checkpoint, check both partners’ comfort, and reset before adding resistance.

Phase 3 - Add an early response Work cooperatively on keep the elbow protected. Avoid leaving the weaving arm extended where the bottom player can sit up into a kimura. Pause at the checkpoint, check both partners’ comfort, and reset before adding resistance.

Phase 4 - Link only verified checkpoints Work cooperatively on maintain an outside base. Move the hips and feet without collapsing all weight over the woven arm. Pause at the checkpoint, check both partners’ comfort, and reset before adding resistance.

Safety Considerations

What are the safety concerns for Half Guard to Leg Weave?

Move through available space with a stable base. Stop and release any trapped neck, shoulder or knee before changing direction; do not force a roll or stack to preserve the route.