The Leg Weave Pass is executed from half guard top by threading your inside leg between and over the opponent’s legs while maintaining crushing upper body pressure. The technique creates a configuration where your shin pins both of the opponent’s legs flat to the mat, eliminating their hip mobility and guard retention ability. The pass proceeds through three distinct phases: establishing upper body control with crossface and hip grip, completing the leg weave to immobilize the opponent’s lower body, and extracting the trapped leg to finish in side control. Each phase must be completed methodically before advancing to the next. The key mechanical insight is that the weave transfers leg control responsibility from your trapped leg to your free leg, allowing you to extract the trapped leg without the opponent being able to re-engage their guard.
From Position: Half Guard (Top)
Key Attacking Principles
What are the key principles for executing Leg Weave Pass?
- Maintain constant downward pressure through chest and shoulder throughout the entire pass sequence to prevent shrimping
- Thread the inside leg completely through the opponent’s guard to create the weave configuration that pins both legs
- Control the opponent’s far hip with your free hand to prevent them from turning or creating angular movement
- Keep your weight distributed primarily on your chest and shoulder contact points rather than on your knees or hands
- Progress systematically through each stage of the pass without rushing - patience prevents common reversal opportunities
- Use shoulder pressure to flatten the opponent and prevent them from achieving a side-facing position
- Extract the trapped leg only after the opponent’s legs are completely controlled and immobilized by the weave
Prerequisites
What do you need before attempting Leg Weave Pass?
- Established top position in half guard with opponent on their back or partially flattened
- Crossface control or underhook position secured to manage upper body and prevent opponent from turning
- Inside leg positioned close to the opponent’s bottom leg with knee ready to begin threading through
- Far hand controlling opponent’s far hip to prevent angular movement and bridging
- Opponent’s knee shield cleared or controlled so it does not obstruct the threading path
- Hips positioned low and forward to prevent the opponent from recovering full guard or creating distance
Execution Steps
How do you execute Leg Weave Pass step by step?
- Establish heavy crossface pressure: From top half guard, drive your shoulder across the opponent’s face while securing a strong crossface with your near arm. Your weight should be distributed primarily through your chest and shoulder, creating downward pressure that makes it difficult for the opponent to turn into you or create effective frames. Keep your head positioned on the far side of the opponent’s head to maximize the crossface angle.
- Control the far hip: With your far hand, reach across and grip the opponent’s far hip or pants at the hip level. This grip is crucial as it prevents the opponent from turning into you or bridging effectively. Your elbow should be positioned tight to your body to maintain connection and prevent the opponent from creating space between your bodies. This grip acts as a tether throughout the entire passing sequence.
- Thread the inside leg through: Begin threading your inside leg (the leg trapped between the opponent’s legs) by lifting your knee and driving it forward and over the opponent’s bottom leg. Your shin should slide across the opponent’s bottom thigh as you weave your leg through. This creates the characteristic weaving pattern that gives the technique its name. Maintain heavy chest and shoulder pressure throughout this movement to prevent the opponent from shrimping away or inserting a knee shield.
- Complete the leg weave configuration: Continue threading your leg until your foot emerges on the far side of the opponent’s legs, with your shin positioned across both of their thighs. Your leg should now be weaved through so that both of the opponent’s legs are trapped beneath your shin. Keep your hips low and forward pressure constant. The opponent’s ability to use their legs for framing, shrimping, or guard recovery should now be severely compromised by the weight of your weaved leg.
- Drive the opponent’s knees to the mat: Using the pressure from your weaved leg combined with forward hip pressure, drive the opponent’s knees flat to the mat. This completely removes their ability to create frames with their legs or recover guard. Your chest should be heavy on their upper body while your weaved leg controls their lower body. Maintain the crossface and hip control throughout this phase. You should feel no resistance from their legs before proceeding.
- Extract your trapped leg: With the opponent’s legs controlled and flattened, begin extracting your previously trapped leg (the original half guard leg). Since their legs are now pinned by your weave, they cannot re-grip your leg. Pull your knee through smoothly while maintaining all other pressure and control points. Keep your hip low throughout extraction to prevent them from inserting a knee shield into the gap as your leg comes free.
- Transition to side control: Once your leg is free, swing it behind you and establish full side control. Your chest should drop onto the opponent’s chest with perpendicular alignment, your hips should be low and heavy, and you should maintain the crossface control. Transition your hip grip to an underhook or establish your near knee tight against their hip. Unweave your other leg and settle into a proper side control configuration before considering the pass complete.
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Side Control | 60% |
| Failure | Half Guard | 25% |
| Counter | Half Guard | 15% |
Opponent Counters
How might your opponent counter Leg Weave Pass?
- Opponent bridges explosively as you begin the weave (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Anticipate the bridge by keeping your base wide and your hips low. When they bridge, use their momentum to complete the weave more quickly as their legs momentarily lighten. If they create excessive space, transition to a knee slice pass instead of forcing the weave. → Leads to Half Guard
- Opponent secures a deep underhook on the near side (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: If they get the underhook before you establish the weave, abandon this pass and address the underhook first. Use a whizzer to control their arm, switch your passing direction to the opposite side, or transition to a different passing approach. Never force the weave against a deep underhook as it exposes you to sweeps and back takes. → Leads to Half Guard
- Opponent shrimps away repeatedly as you thread the leg (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Follow their hip movement while maintaining pressure with your entire body, not just your legs. Each time they shrimp, advance your position slightly and reset your crossface and hip control. The key is moving your whole body forward as a unit rather than chasing with just your legs. → Leads to Half Guard
- Opponent inserts knee shield before weave is completed (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: If the knee shield is inserted early, switch to the knee shield leg weave variation. Use your crossface-side hand to push their knee down toward their bottom leg, then re-initiate the threading sequence. Alternatively, abandon the weave and chain to a smash pass or long step pass that addresses the knee shield directly. → Leads to Half Guard
- Opponent rolls for a leg lock as you establish the weave (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Your weaved leg position provides excellent defense against most leg attack attempts from bottom half guard because the weave creates a natural entanglement that protects your knee line. Maintain heavy top pressure and keep your leg woven. If they commit to rolling, follow their rotation and establish a more dominant position or take the back. → Leads to Side Control
Safety Considerations
What are the safety concerns for Leg Weave Pass?
When practicing the leg weave pass, maintain control of your weight distribution to avoid placing excessive pressure on the opponent’s neck or spine. The crossface should create control without cranking the neck laterally. When your partner is defending, be aware that attempting to forcefully extract your trapped leg before proper control is established can lead to knee strain for both practitioners. Communication is essential during drilling - the bottom person should tap if they feel uncomfortable pressure on their neck or if they cannot breathe properly. When threading the leg through, move deliberately rather than explosively to avoid accidentally kicking or kneeing your partner. In competition or advanced training, be aware that aggressive bridging attempts from bottom can create injury risk if you’re not properly based, so maintain wide base and low hips throughout.