Leg Drag Pass
The Leg Drag Pass is a highly effective Guard Pass that focuses on isolating and controlling the opponent's legs to neutralize their guard and transition to dominant positions like Side Control or Back Control. The pass involves dragging one of the opponent’s legs across their body, pinning it, and preventing guard recovery while you secure control.
Key Goals of the Leg Drag Pass
Control the Opponent’s Legs
- Isolate one leg while using your grips to immobilize both legs.
Neutralize the Hips
- Prevent the opponent from turning into you or recovering Guard by controlling their hip movement.
Transition to a Dominant Position
- Secure Side Control or Back Control by maintaining tight Pressure and Connections.
Steps for the Leg Drag Pass
Engage the Guard
- From a standing or low posture, break any grips the opponent has on your sleeves, collar, or pants.
- Control their legs using Pant Grips, Ankle Grip, or C-Grip Sleeve Grip.
Drag the Leg Across
- Grab the opponent’s far-side leg (or shin) with one hand and drag it across their body, aiming to stack their knees together.
- Use your free hand to pin their hips or control their other leg to prevent them from framing or countering.
Pin the Leg
- Drop your weight to pin their legs to the mat or your thigh.
- Stay tight to the opponent, using Weight Distribution to deny space for movement.
Control the Upper Body
Establish a Dominant Position
- Once their legs are fully neutralized, transition into Side Control, Knee on Belly, or even Back Control if they turn away to escape.
Key Concepts for Success
Leg Isolation
- The pass relies on keeping their legs pinned together and away from their base.
Hip Control
- Immobilize their hips to prevent Frames or guard recovery.
Pressure and Tightness
- Use your chest, hips, and grips to maintain tight Connections throughout the pass.
Variations of the Leg Drag Pass
Standing Leg Drag
- From a standing position, grab their leg and drag it across their body, then drop your weight to pin it.
Low Leg Drag
- Perform the pass from a kneeling or combat base, focusing on tight pressure and staying low.
Transition to Back Control
- If the opponent turns away to recover, use the leg drag position to establish Back Control by controlling their hips and hooking their back.
Common Mistakes
Loose Grips
- If your grips on their leg are weak, the opponent can recover guard or create space to escape.
Rushing the Transition
- Failing to fully pin their legs and hips before moving to Side Control can result in a scramble.
Not Controlling the Upper Body
Strategy
- The Leg Drag Pass is particularly effective against Open Guard styles like De La Riva, Reverse De La Riva, and X Guard. It neutralizes their ability to elevate or off-balance you by removing one leg from the equation.
- Combine it with passes like the Toreando or Guard Passes/Knee Cut to create a passing system that adjusts to the opponent’s defenses.
Tip
The Leg Drag Pass shines when executed with precision and patience. Focus on tight Connections and control the opponent’s hips to consolidate your position after the pass!
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