Lasso Guard Variations

The Lasso Guard system represents one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most versatile open guard frameworks, offering practitioners a wide array of tactical variations that blend control, sweeps, and submission attacks. At its core, the lasso guard uses a fundamental leg-threading mechanism where one leg wraps around the opponent’s arm, creating a powerful control point that disrupts posture and limits mobility. This foundational position branches into multiple variations, each with distinct strategic applications and technical nuances. Understanding how to transition between lasso variations allows practitioners to maintain offensive initiative while adapting to different opponent reactions and body types. The system’s effectiveness lies in its ability to create persistent off-balancing opportunities while maintaining a strong defensive structure. Advanced practitioners learn to chain lasso variations together, creating multi-layered attacking sequences that force opponents into defensive dilemmas where every escape attempt opens new offensive opportunities.

Starting Position: Lasso Guard Ending Position: Lasso Guard Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%

Key Principles

• Maintain active lasso hook tension throughout all variations
• Control opponent’s posture by breaking alignment between hips and shoulders
• Create angles to maximize off-balancing leverage
• Use grip fighting to prevent opponent from clearing the lasso hook
• Transition between variations based on opponent’s defensive reactions
• Combine lasso control with additional grips for enhanced control points
• Utilize hip mobility to adjust distance and create sweeping angles

Prerequisites

• Established open guard position with distance management
• One leg threaded through opponent’s arm creating lasso configuration
• Strong grip on opponent’s sleeve or wrist on lasso side
• Secondary control point established (collar, opposite sleeve, or pants)
• Hip positioning allows for mobility and angle creation
• Opponent’s posture broken or compromised to prevent immediate passing
• Active foot pressure on opponent’s hip or bicep on lasso side

Execution Steps

1. Establish base lasso guard configuration: From open guard, thread your right leg behind opponent’s left arm, bringing your shin across their back while gripping their left sleeve with your left hand. Your right foot hooks around their shoulder or upper arm, creating the fundamental lasso control point. Maintain tension by pulling their sleeve toward you while pushing your foot away, creating opposing forces that disrupt their posture. (Timing: Initial guard establishment)
2. Add spider lasso variation elements: Place your left foot on opponent’s right bicep or hip, extending the leg to create distance and prevent forward pressure. This spider-lasso hybrid configuration provides maximum control and off-balancing potential. Grip their right sleeve with your right hand, creating a two-sleeve control system. The combination of lasso hook and spider foot creates a powerful steering mechanism for directing opponent’s movement. (Timing: When opponent maintains upright posture)
3. Transition to inverted lasso when needed: When opponent attempts to clear the lasso by stepping back or standing tall, invert by rolling onto your shoulders while maintaining the lasso hook. Your free leg posts on the mat or wraps around opponent’s leg for additional control. This inversion creates new sweeping angles and prevents opponent from establishing distance. Maintain constant tension on the lasso sleeve throughout the inversion process. (Timing: Response to opponent creating distance)
4. Apply Russian lasso configuration: For increased control and submission entries, transition to Russian lasso by pulling opponent’s lassoed arm across their body while threading your lasso leg deeper behind their shoulder. Your foot hooks over their opposite shoulder, creating a diagonal control line. This configuration severely limits their mobility and opens triangle and omoplata attacks. Grip their collar with your free hand to break their posture forward. (Timing: When seeking maximum control for submissions)
5. Implement tactical grip variations: Adapt your secondary grips based on opponent’s defensive reactions. Switch between collar grips (for posture breaking), opposite sleeve grips (for bilateral control), and pants grips (for sweep mechanics). Each grip configuration creates different attacking opportunities while maintaining the core lasso control. Monitor opponent’s weight distribution to select optimal grip combinations. (Timing: Continuous adaptation throughout engagement)
6. Chain variations into attacking sequences: Transition fluidly between lasso variations to create offensive momentum. When opponent defends the spider-lasso sweep, transition to inverted lasso for back exposure. When they counter the inversion, switch to Russian lasso for submission attacks. This variation chaining prevents opponent from establishing stable defensive positioning and maintains constant pressure. Each variation transition creates brief moments of instability that can be exploited for sweeps or submissions. (Timing: Continuous flow based on opponent reactions)
7. Maintain retention through variation cycling: When guard passing pressure increases, cycle through lasso variations to create recovery opportunities. Use spider-lasso to create distance, inverted lasso to off-balance and create scrambles, and Russian lasso to lock down position when securing controls. This variation-based retention system prevents opponent from establishing passing momentum while creating counter-attacking opportunities. Always maintain at least one strong control point while transitioning between configurations. (Timing: Defensive retention when under passing pressure)

Opponent Counters

• Opponent grips your lasso ankle and forces it over their head to clear the hook (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: As they grip your ankle, immediately switch to inverted lasso or transition to De La Riva guard by bringing your lasso leg to their hip while maintaining sleeve control. If they commit to clearing, use their forward momentum to pendulum sweep or elevate to off-balance.
• Opponent stands tall and creates distance to escape lasso control (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Follow their upward movement by inverting or extending your lasso hook higher on their shoulder. Transition to standing guard techniques or use the distance to switch to single leg X-guard. Alternatively, attack with lasso sweep variations that capitalize on their high posture and exposed base.
• Opponent sprawls heavy on your spider foot to collapse the structure (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Retract your spider foot and transition to single lasso configuration with collar control, or switch to De La Riva guard. Use their forward pressure to execute hip bump or triangle setups. The key is accepting the pressure transition rather than fighting to maintain the spider-lasso hybrid.
• Opponent uses cross-grip on your lasso pants to anchor and prevent mobility (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Break their pants grip by extending your lasso leg forcefully while transitioning to inverted lasso or Russian lasso configuration. Alternatively, use the anchor point to your advantage by executing rotational sweeps around the fixed point. Consider switching to opposite side lasso if grip break proves difficult.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Allowing lasso hook to become passive without active tension
  • Consequence: Opponent easily clears the lasso by simply pulling their arm out, eliminating your primary control point and allowing immediate passing opportunities
  • Correction: Constantly maintain opposing forces by pulling sleeve toward you while pushing foot away. Think of the lasso as an active bow-and-arrow tension system, not a static hook. Regularly reset tension by micro-adjustments.
• Mistake: Failing to coordinate secondary grips with lasso control
  • Consequence: Opponent can create angles and pressure despite lasso hook, leading to guard passes or forcing you into purely defensive positions without offensive potential
  • Correction: Always establish strong secondary control points before attempting sweeps or transitions. Use collar grips for posture control, opposite sleeve for steering, or pants grips for sweeping mechanics. Never rely solely on lasso hook.
• Mistake: Remaining static in one lasso variation despite opponent’s adaptations
  • Consequence: Opponent develops specific counters to your preferred configuration and systematically breaks down your guard by targeting known weaknesses in that particular variation
  • Correction: Flow between variations based on opponent reactions. When they defend spider-lasso, switch to Russian lasso. When they counter inverted, return to standard lasso with different grips. Variation is your defensive and offensive tool.
• Mistake: Inverting without maintaining lasso sleeve control
  • Consequence: During inversion, opponent frees their arm and immediately establishes dominant passing position while you’re vulnerable in inverted posture with compromised structure
  • Correction: Before inverting, ensure lasso sleeve grip is extremely tight. During inversion, maintain sleeve proximity to your body. If grip feels weak, delay inversion until control is re-established or choose different variation.
• Mistake: Extending spider foot with locked knee instead of active pressure
  • Consequence: Opponent easily collapses your rigid leg structure by applying pressure, forcing your knee to bend uncomfortably and destroying the spider-lasso configuration entirely
  • Correction: Maintain slight bend in knee with active muscular engagement. Use pulsing pressure rather than static extension. This allows you to absorb and redirect opponent’s pressure while maintaining structural integrity and mobility.
• Mistake: Attempting Russian lasso without sufficient positional dominance
  • Consequence: Opponent uses the deep lasso commitment to stack you or create dangerous pressure angles, potentially leading to guard passes or neck cranks
  • Correction: Only enter Russian lasso when you’ve broken opponent’s posture significantly and controlled their opposite shoulder. Ensure you have sufficient space to invert if needed. Use progressive lasso deepening rather than immediate deep configuration.

Training Progressions

Week 1-2: Foundation - Basic lasso mechanics and single variation mastery Begin with standard lasso guard establishment, focusing on proper leg threading technique and sleeve grip fundamentals. Practice maintaining lasso tension against partner who remains relatively static. Work spider-lasso hybrid configuration with emphasis on coordinating both legs and both grips. Drill basic lasso sweep against light resistance. Goal is developing muscle memory for lasso hook creation and tension maintenance. (Resistance: Light)

Week 3-4: Variation Introduction - Learning inverted and Russian lasso configurations Add inverted lasso technique with controlled partner who steps back on command. Practice Russian lasso entry from standard lasso position. Drill transitions between standard, spider-lasso, and inverted variations without opponent interference. Begin recognizing which variation suits different opponent postures. Incorporate basic submission entries from Russian lasso (triangle and omoplata setups). (Resistance: Light)

Week 5-8: Integration and Chaining - Flowing between variations based on opponent reactions Practice variation chains against moderate resistance: spider-lasso to inverted to Russian lasso sequences. Partner provides specific defenses (ankle grab, distance creation, pressure) and you respond with appropriate variation changes. Drill sweep entries from each variation. Add secondary grip fighting while maintaining lasso control. Begin positional sparring from lasso guard with variation requirement (must use at least two different configurations per round). (Resistance: Medium)

Week 9-12: Tactical Application - Variation selection based on opponent type and strategy Spar from lasso guard against different opponent styles: pressure passers, distance managers, and scramble-based players. Practice selecting optimal lasso variation for each opponent type. Develop personal preference hierarchy while maintaining ability to use all variations. Integrate submission attacks and sweep combinations specific to each variation. Add counters to common lasso defenses. Begin using lasso variations in live rolling from open guard scenarios. (Resistance: Medium)

Week 13+: Advanced Development - Competition application and high-level variation systems Full-resistance positional sparring from lasso guard. Develop personal lasso variation system with primary and secondary options. Practice against skilled opponents who know lasso guard well. Refine timing for variation changes based on subtle opponent weight shifts. Integrate lasso variations into broader open guard system (connections with De La Riva, X-guard, spider guard). Film and analyze lasso guard usage for technical refinement. (Resistance: Full)

Ongoing Mastery - System refinement and adaptation to evolving meta-game Continue testing lasso variations against diverse opponents and current passing meta. Develop answers to modern lasso counters. Study high-level competition footage of lasso guard specialists. Experiment with hybrid variations and personal innovations. Teach lasso variations to others to deepen understanding. Maintain technical sharpness through regular drilling of fundamental mechanics even as advanced practitioner. (Resistance: Full)

Variations

Spider-Lasso Hybrid: Combines traditional lasso control with spider guard foot placement on opposite arm. One leg creates lasso hook while other leg extends with foot on opponent’s bicep or hip, creating bilateral arm control with maximum distance management. (When to use: Against opponents who maintain upright posture and attempt to create distance. Ideal for taller practitioners or when facing shorter opponents. Provides excellent control for setting up pendulum and flower sweep variations.)

Inverted Lasso Guard: Advanced variation where practitioner inverts onto shoulders while maintaining lasso hook. Creates unconventional angles for sweeps and back takes. Free leg can post or wrap opponent’s leg for additional control. (When to use: When opponent creates distance or attempts to disengage from lasso control. Excellent for creating scramble opportunities and accessing back exposure. Best utilized by flexible practitioners comfortable with inverted positions.)

Russian Lasso (Cross-Body Lasso): Deep lasso configuration where leg threads behind opponent’s shoulder and foot hooks over their opposite shoulder, creating diagonal control line. Severely restricts opponent’s mobility and opens high-percentage triangle and omoplata attacks. (When to use: When seeking maximum control for submission entries. Most effective after breaking opponent’s posture significantly. Works well in gi due to grip availability. Ideal against opponents who defend traditional lasso sweeps effectively.)

Single Lasso with Collar Control: Simplified lasso configuration focusing on one lasso hook combined with strong collar grip and foot on hip positioning. Reduces complexity while maintaining effective control and sweep potential. (When to use: When opponent successfully defends spider-lasso or against heavy pressure passers who collapse complex guard structures. Good for beginners developing lasso fundamentals. Effective in gi competition for controlling pace.)

Lasso-DLR Connection: Transitional variation that combines lasso control on one side with De La Riva hook on same-side leg. Creates powerful off-balancing potential and multiple sweep entries. Can switch emphasis between lasso and DLR based on opponent’s reactions. (When to use: Against opponents who defend pure lasso by creating lateral movement. Excellent for maintaining guard retention while opponent attempts to navigate around lasso control. Works well for building comprehensive open guard systems.)

Squid Guard Lasso Variation: Modern adaptation incorporating squid guard principles where lasso leg extends across opponent’s far shoulder while other leg creates lapel or leg control on near side. Creates unique sweeping angles and back take opportunities. (When to use: In gi competition against opponents familiar with traditional lasso defenses. When seeking unconventional attacks that opponents haven’t specifically prepared for. Best for advanced practitioners comfortable with complex lapel guard systems.)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: What are the three primary lasso guard variations and when should each be employed tactically? A: The three primary variations are spider-lasso hybrid (used against upright posture for distance control and sweep setups), inverted lasso (employed when opponent creates distance or attempts to disengage), and Russian lasso (utilized for maximum control and submission entries after breaking posture). Each variation addresses specific opponent reactions and defensive strategies, requiring practitioners to recognize postural cues and weight distribution patterns to select optimal configuration.

Q2: How do you maintain effective lasso hook tension and why is this critical for variation success? A: Effective lasso tension requires creating opposing forces by pulling opponent’s sleeve toward you while simultaneously pushing your foot away from your body in the opposite direction. This bow-and-arrow tension system must remain active through constant micro-adjustments rather than static holding. Critical because passive lasso hooks are easily cleared by opponents simply pulling their arm free, eliminating your primary control point and allowing immediate passing opportunities. Active tension ensures the lasso remains a legitimate threat that opponent must address.

Q3: What are the key differences between Russian lasso and standard lasso in terms of control mechanics and strategic application? A: Russian lasso creates diagonal cross-body control by threading the leg deeper behind opponent’s shoulder with foot hooking over opposite shoulder, severely restricting rotational mobility and creating strong submission entries. Standard lasso provides more mobility and variation potential but less maximum control. Russian lasso requires significant postural breaking before entry and commits you to specific attacking sequences (primarily triangle and omoplata), while standard lasso allows fluid variation changes and broader tactical options. Russian lasso is submission-focused while standard lasso balances sweeps and submissions.

Q4: How should secondary grip selection change across different lasso variations? A: In spider-lasso hybrid, use bilateral sleeve grips for maximum steering control. In inverted lasso, collar grips provide crucial posture control during inversion and prevent opponent from postural recovery. In Russian lasso, collar grips are essential for breaking posture forward and setting up triangles. For standard lasso with single configuration, alternate between collar grips (posture breaking), opposite sleeve (bilateral control), and pants grips (sweep mechanics) based on opponent’s defensive reactions. Grip selection must coordinate with lasso configuration to create synergistic control systems rather than isolated control points.

Q5: What are the most common lasso clearing attempts and how do variation transitions counter them? A: Common clearing attempts include gripping lasso ankle to force leg over head (counter with inversion or DLR transition), standing tall to create distance (counter with extended lasso or standing guard), sprawling on spider foot to collapse structure (counter with single lasso and collar control), and cross-gripping lasso pants to anchor (counter with rotational sweeps or opposite-side lasso). Variation mastery means recognizing each clearing attempt early and transitioning to the variation that makes opponent’s defense become your offensive opportunity, preventing them from establishing stable defensive positioning.

Q6: Why is spider-lasso hybrid particularly effective against certain opponent types? A: Spider-lasso hybrid creates bilateral arm control with one arm lassoed and opposite arm controlled via spider foot on bicep or hip, preventing opponent from establishing effective grips or creating forward pressure. Particularly effective against upright posture players who rely on distance management, taller opponents whose reach allows them to defend single-point controls, and explosive passers who need both arms free for dynamic passing entries. The configuration provides maximum distance control while maintaining offensive sweep potential, forcing opponent into predictable reactions that can be exploited.

Q7: How does inverted lasso create back take opportunities and what are the technical requirements? A: Inverted lasso creates back exposure by off-balancing opponent while you roll to inverted position, causing them to post hands or shift weight to prevent being swept. During their defensive reaction, their back becomes momentarily exposed. Technical requirements include maintaining lasso sleeve control throughout inversion (critical), using free leg to post or control opponent’s leg (prevents them from circling away), and timing the inversion with opponent’s forward pressure or distance creation attempts. Without proper sleeve control, inversion simply gives opponent dominant passing position while you’re structurally compromised.

Safety Considerations

When practicing lasso guard variations, maintain awareness of knee stress on the lasso leg, particularly during Russian lasso and inverted configurations where joint angles become extreme. Communicate clearly with training partners about knee discomfort, especially when they attempt to clear the lasso by forcing the leg. During inverted lasso practice, protect your neck by maintaining proper posting with free hand and avoiding full weight on cervical spine. When drilling against standing opponents, control descent speeds to prevent awkward landings. Partners clearing lasso hooks should never force the leg violently; instead use controlled technical clearing methods. For Russian lasso, ensure adequate hip and hamstring flexibility before attempting deep configurations. Beginners should master standard lasso mechanics before progressing to complex variations that require greater body awareness and joint mobility.

Position Integration

Lasso guard variations function as a comprehensive open guard subsystem that connects seamlessly with other guard types within the broader BJJ positional hierarchy. The lasso naturally transitions to De La Riva guard by moving the lasso leg to opponent’s hip, to X-guard by changing leg positioning under opponent’s base, and to spider guard by adjusting the lasso hook to bicep control. This integration allows practitioners to maintain continuous guard pressure while adapting to opponent’s passing strategies. Advanced players use lasso variations as both primary attacking positions and transitional recovery options when other guards are threatened. The lasso system particularly excels in the modern sport BJJ meta-game where distance management and angle creation determine guard retention success. Understanding lasso variation principles develops broader open guard concepts applicable across multiple guard systems, making it a fundamental position for intermediate to advanced practitioners.

Related Techniques

• Lasso Guard Sweeps - Primary offensive techniques from all lasso variations
• Spider Guard Variations - Closely related guard system with overlapping mechanics
• De La Riva Sweep Variations - Common transition target from lasso configurations
• Triangle from Spider Guard - High-percentage submission from spider-lasso hybrid
• Omoplata from Guard - Primary submission entry from Russian lasso
• Inverted Guard - Related inverted position with similar mechanics
• X-Guard Sweep - Common follow-up after lasso sweep attempts
• Pendulum Sweep - Classic sweep that works well from spider-lasso
• Grip Fighting Strategies - Essential skill for maintaining lasso control
• Sleeve Control - Critical principle for all lasso variations
• Omoplata Sweep - Alternative attack from Russian lasso configuration
• Spider Guard Pass - Understanding opponent’s counter-strategies

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The lasso guard system represents a mechanically sophisticated approach to open guard control where the fundamental principle involves creating a structural bow through opposition of forces—the sleeve pull toward you and the foot push away from you creates tension that compromises the opponent’s postural alignment between their shoulders and hips. What makes variation mastery critical is understanding that each lasso configuration creates different mechanical advantages: the spider-lasso provides maximum distance control through bilateral arm engagement, the inverted lasso generates off-balancing through unconventional angles that exploit gravity, and the Russian lasso creates submission opportunities through deep cross-body control that restricts defensive escape routes. The common error among intermediate practitioners is treating these as separate techniques rather than a unified system where variation selection responds to opponent’s defensive choices. Superior lasso guard play requires understanding the biomechanical vulnerabilities each configuration exploits—upright posture becomes weak against spider-lasso due to bilateral arm restriction, distance creation attempts fail against inverted lasso due to angle creation, and broken posture becomes dominated by Russian lasso through cross-body immobilization. Study how each variation creates specific defensive problems for opponents, then develop the transitional fluidity to move between configurations before opponent can establish stable counters.
• Gordon Ryan: In competition, lasso guard variations give you a proven system for controlling the pace against both pressure and distance passers, which covers basically everyone you’ll face at high levels. I’ve found spider-lasso hybrid to be the highest percentage against explosive passers because it prevents them from getting their hands where they want and kills their forward momentum before they can generate dangerous passing pressure. The key is staying one variation ahead of their defense—when they adapt to clear your spider-lasso, you’re already transitioning to inverted or Russian lasso before they complete their clearing attempt. Russian lasso specifically opens ridiculous submission percentages if you’ve broken their posture first; I hit triangles and omoplatas at probably 60-70% against opponents who aren’t specifically drilling lasso defenses. The biggest competition advantage is how lasso variations frustrate opponents’ game plans—they come in with specific passing strategies but your variation changes force them to abandon their system and react, which is where you want them mentally. Don’t get married to one configuration; winning at high levels means flowing between variations faster than opponent can develop specific counters. Also, use lasso variations to control match pace—spider-lasso slows things down while inverted lasso creates scrambles if you need to change the tempo. That tactical control wins matches as much as the technical execution.
• Eddie Bravo: Lasso guard is one of those positions that the 10th Planet system adapted heavily because it fits perfectly with our control-before-finish philosophy and works beautifully in no-gi with underhook variations replacing gi grips. What I love about lasso variations is how they create persistent off-balancing where opponent never feels stable, which opens creative attacking sequences that traditional guards can’t access. The inverted lasso specifically connects to our rubber guard and twister systems because you’re already inverted and controlling their upper body, so transitions to truck position or chill dog become really natural. We’ve developed specific no-gi lasso adaptations where instead of sleeve grips you’re controlling their wrist and using overhook or underhook configurations on the lasso side—same mechanical principles but grip adjustments for different rule sets. Russian lasso in the gi is absolutely money for triangles but also opens up unconventional attacks like transitioning to mounted triangle or using the deep lasso control to set up back takes through technical stand-ups. The real innovation opportunity in lasso variations is combining them with lapel guard systems or developing hybrid configurations that blend lasso with worm guard or squid guard principles—these modern adaptations force opponents to defend positions they’ve never specifically trained against, which is a massive tactical advantage in competition. My advice is master the fundamental variations first, then start experimenting with personal innovations that fit your body type and game.