The Lasso Guard Backstep Pass is a rotational passing technique that exploits the lasso guard’s directional vulnerability. The lasso’s power comes from the perpendicular angle of the guard player’s shin against the trapped arm, creating a lever that restricts mobility and base. The backstep defeats this mechanism by rotating away from the lasso, removing the perpendicular angle entirely as the passer’s body turns in line with the guard player’s shin. Rather than fighting the lasso’s leverage through direct grip breaking or forward pressure, the backstep changes the geometric relationship between bodies to neutralize the position structurally.
Execution requires precise coordination between grip management and rotational movement. The passer must reduce sleeve grip tension before or during the backstep to allow the trapped arm to slide free during rotation. The free leg steps behind in a deep arc while maintaining low hips, and the free hand controls the opponent’s non-lasso leg to prevent reguarding. The technique’s primary challenge is the vulnerability window during mid-rotation, when the passer’s weight is transitioning between feet and their base is narrowest—this is where sweep counters and back takes are most likely.
The backstep integrates effectively into a multi-directional lasso guard passing system. When combined with stack passes, knee cuts, and toreando variations, it creates angular threats that prevent the guard player from committing fully to any single defensive pattern. The backstep is particularly effective as a secondary option after a direct passing attempt has been defended, as the guard player’s defensive adjustments often create the momentary grip relaxation and shifted weight distribution that favor rotational entry.
From Position: Lasso Guard (Top) Success Rate: 55%
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Side Control | 45% |
| Success | Headquarters Position | 10% |
| Failure | Lasso Guard | 30% |
| Counter | Back Control | 15% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute technique | Prevent or counter |
| Key Principles | Initiate the backstep by stepping your free leg behind you a… | Maintain constant sleeve grip tension on the trapped arm—thi… |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
-
Initiate the backstep by stepping your free leg behind you and rotating your torso away from the lasso side—direction of rotation is critical for clearing the arm
-
Break or reduce sleeve grip tension before or simultaneously with the backstep to prevent the lasso from tightening during rotation
-
Maintain low hips and heavy base throughout the rotation to prevent being swept or having your back taken during the weight transfer
-
Control the opponent’s non-lasso leg with your free hand to prevent them from following your rotation or establishing secondary hooks
-
Commit fully to the backstep once initiated—hesitation mid-rotation leaves you in a compromised position between passing angles
-
Immediately consolidate into side control pressure as soon as the lasso clears—do not pause or stand up in transition
Execution Steps
-
Establish passing posture: Stand with combat base, posting your free-side foot firmly on the mat. Keep your trapped arm close t…
-
Reduce lasso grip tension: Use your free hand to strip or loosen the opponent’s sleeve grip on your trapped arm. This can be a …
-
Control non-lasso leg: Pin or redirect the opponent’s non-lasso leg with your free hand, controlling at the knee or ankle. …
-
Initiate backstep rotation: Step your free leg behind you in a deep arc, initiating a rotation away from the lasso side. The ste…
-
Clear trapped arm: As your body rotates away from the lasso, your trapped arm naturally slides free from the opponent’s…
-
Drop weight and consolidate: Immediately drive your chest and shoulder pressure into the opponent as the lasso clears. Do not sta…
-
Secure passing position: Complete the pass by establishing dominant grips in side control. Drive crossface pressure to turn t…
Common Mistakes
-
Stepping too shallow with the backstep, resulting in incomplete rotation
- Consequence: Arm remains partially trapped in the lasso and you are stuck between passing angles with compromised base
- Correction: Step deep behind the opponent’s hip line, ensuring the arc is wide enough to create full rotational clearance of the trapped arm
-
Initiating backstep without first reducing sleeve grip tension
- Consequence: Lasso tightens during rotation, locking the arm worse than starting position and exposing you to sweeps
- Correction: Always fight the sleeve grip or create a grip-loosening distraction before backstep—even partial grip reduction significantly improves rotation success
-
Standing too tall during backstep rotation with high center of gravity
- Consequence: Elevated base during weight transfer makes you vulnerable to being swept, off-balanced, or having your back taken
- Correction: Keep hips low and heavy throughout the entire backstep sequence, maintaining constant downward pressure into the opponent
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
-
Maintain constant sleeve grip tension on the trapped arm—this is your primary anchor against backstep rotation and must not slacken
-
Follow the passer’s rotation with your hips, turning to maintain the perpendicular angle to their body as they backstep
-
Use your non-lasso leg actively to post on their hip or insert hooks that physically obstruct the backstep path
-
Recognize early backstep indicators—weight shift, foot repositioning, increased sleeve grip fighting—and respond before full rotation initiates
-
If the backstep progresses past recovery, immediately transition to an alternative guard rather than clinging to a cleared lasso
-
Keep hips elevated and mobile rather than flat on the mat to maintain the ability to follow rotational passing attempts
Recognition Cues
-
Passer shifts weight onto their trapped-side leg and lifts or repositions their free foot behind them in preparation for the arc step
-
Passer begins fighting your sleeve grip with increased urgency or uses their free hand to peel your fingers
-
Passer’s shoulders begin rotating away from your lasso side while their hips drop lower for base during rotation
-
Passer pushes your non-lasso leg away or pins your knee to clear a path for the backstep rotation
-
Passer creates a forward pressure feint followed by sudden directional change away from the lasso—classic backstep telegraph
Defensive Options
-
Tighten sleeve grip and extend lasso leg to re-lock the arm before rotation completes - When: Early in the backstep when passer has begun weight shift but has not built full rotational momentum
-
Follow the rotation with hip movement and insert a De La Riva or butterfly hook on the stepping leg - When: When the passer has committed to the backstep and your lasso angle is beginning to deteriorate
-
Invert under the backstep and take the back as the passer rotates away - When: When the passer is mid-rotation with their back partially exposed and their attention focused on clearing the arm
Position Integration
The Lasso Guard Backstep Pass connects directly to the lasso guard passing system as the primary rotational option alongside linear approaches like stack passing and knee cutting. It addresses the fundamental problem of lasso control—the perpendicular lever angle against the trapped arm—through angular mechanics rather than direct grip fighting. The technique shares core rotational principles with other backstep passes from De La Riva, deep half, and single leg X-guard, meaning practitioners who develop backstep mechanics from one guard position transfer the concept across multiple open guard scenarios. Successfully completing the backstep typically lands in side control or headquarters position, connecting to the entire top control submission and transition ecosystem. The backstep also creates a critical decision point for the lasso player: committing heavily to sleeve grip retention to prevent the pass exposes them to the rotation sweep, while releasing early concedes guard position.