The Long Step Around Ringworm is a specialized guard passing technique designed to circumvent the complex lapel configurations that define ringworm guard. When an opponent establishes ringworm—typically involving multiple lapel wraps around your legs and arms—standard pressure passing becomes ineffective because the fabric barriers prevent hip contact and create persistent mechanical obstacles.
This technique employs an exaggerated long step to change the passing angle dramatically, allowing you to step completely around the lapel configuration rather than fighting through it. The key insight is that ringworm guard’s strength lies in controlling specific passing lanes; by taking a wide arc with your passing leg, you exit those controlled lanes entirely. The long step creates distance from the lapel wrap while simultaneously closing the gap to a dominant passing position.
Strategically, this pass is most effective when you recognize that direct clearing of the ringworm configuration would require excessive energy expenditure. Rather than engaging in a prolonged grip-fighting battle to remove multiple lapel wraps, the long step accepts the configuration’s existence and navigates around it. This approach preserves energy and catches opponents who have invested heavily in establishing complex lapel systems, as they often don’t anticipate passes that simply bypass their control structure.
From Position: Lapel Guard (Top)
Key Attacking Principles
What are the key principles for executing Long Step Around Ringworm?
- Step wide enough to completely exit the controlled passing lanes created by the ringworm configuration
- Maintain forward pressure throughout the long step to prevent opponent from adjusting their lapel configuration
- Use your lead hand to control their far hip, preventing them from following your movement with their hips
- Keep your hips low during the step to avoid getting swept by elevation attacks
- Commit fully to the direction change—half-measures leave you exposed to both the original guard and back takes
- Time the long step when opponent is focused on maintaining their lapel grips rather than their hip movement
- Connect the long step directly to your passing sequence without pausing in neutral positions
Prerequisites
What do you need before attempting Long Step Around Ringworm?
- Opponent has established ringworm guard with multiple lapel configurations creating barriers to standard passing
- You have identified that direct lapel clearing would require excessive time and energy expenditure
- Your posture is broken or compromised by the lapel configuration but you maintain some base
- You have at least one hand free to control opponent’s hip during the passing sequence
- Sufficient space exists to execute the wide stepping arc without wall or boundary interference
- Opponent’s weight is committed to maintaining their lapel configuration rather than mobile hip defense
Execution Steps
How do you execute Long Step Around Ringworm step by step?
- Assess configuration: Identify all lapel wraps and determine which passing lanes are blocked. Recognize that the ringworm has created multiple barriers making direct passing inefficient. This assessment determines whether long step is appropriate versus other solutions.
- Establish hip control: Place your lead hand on opponent’s far hip, using a cupping grip to prevent them from following your movement. This grip is critical—without it, the opponent can rotate their hips to maintain guard as you step around.
- Initiate long step: Take an exaggerated step with your outside leg, arcing wide around the lapel configuration. The step should be significantly wider than a normal passing step—your foot should land past the plane of their hip on the far side.
- Drive forward pressure: As your stepping foot lands, immediately drive your shoulder into their torso while maintaining the hip grip. This forward pressure prevents them from sitting up to pursue back control and begins flattening their guard structure.
- Extract trailing leg: Pull your trailing leg free from any remaining lapel entanglement by using your forward momentum. The lapel wrap loses much of its mechanical advantage once you’ve changed the passing angle so dramatically.
- Consolidate position: Complete the pass by establishing side control or knee on belly. Use your chest pressure to pin their shoulders while your arms establish standard control grips. Clear any remaining lapel fabric to prevent guard recovery attempts.
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Side Control | 55% |
| Success | Half Guard | 10% |
| Failure | Lapel Guard | 20% |
| Counter | Back Control | 15% |
Opponent Counters
How might your opponent counter Long Step Around Ringworm?
- Hip chase—opponent rotates their hips to follow your movement and re-establish guard angle (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Maintain strong far hip control throughout the step and increase forward pressure to pin their hip to the mat → Leads to Lapel Guard
- Sit-up to back take—opponent releases lapel grips and pursues your back as you step around (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Drive shoulder pressure immediately upon landing and keep your elbow tight to prevent them from getting under your arm → Leads to Back Control
- Leg pummeling—opponent attempts to reinsert guard hooks as you pass around (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Step completely past their hip before consolidating, and use knee pressure to block hook reinsertion → Leads to Half Guard
- Lapel reconfiguration—opponent adjusts the lapel wrap to the new passing angle (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Move faster than they can reconfigure—the long step should be explosive and continuous, not allowing adjustment time → Leads to Lapel Guard
Safety Considerations
What are the safety concerns for Long Step Around Ringworm?
The Long Step Around Ringworm is generally low-risk compared to other guard passes, as it involves controlled stepping rather than explosive movements or joint manipulation. However, practitioners should be aware of potential knee stress from the wide stepping arc, particularly if executed on sticky or uneven mats. Ensure adequate warmup of hip flexors and groin muscles before drilling, as the exaggerated step requires significant hip mobility. When applying forward pressure after the step, avoid driving directly into partner’s face or throat—aim for chest and shoulder contact. Partners playing ringworm guard should tap immediately if lapel wraps create choking pressure during the passing attempt. During initial learning phases, execute at reduced speed to develop proper mechanics before adding explosive timing.