Lasso Guard

The Lasso Guard is a versatile Guard position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that involves wrapping one of your legs around your opponent’s arm to create control, immobilize their movement, and set up sweeps, submissions, or transitions. It is a primarily gi-based guard due to its heavy reliance on grip control.

Key Elements

Control Points

  • Secure a Four Finger Sleeve Grip or Spider Guard Sleeve Grip on the opponent's wrist or sleeve to control their arm.
  • Insert one leg deeply, wrapping it around the opponent’s arm (the lasso leg). The shin or foot typically hooks behind their upper arm or shoulder.
  • The other leg remains active, either posting on their hip, playing Spider Guard, or controlling the far leg.

Purpose

  • Disrupt the opponent’s posture and balance.
  • Limit their ability to pass your guard by immobilizing the arm trapped in the lasso.

Transitions

  • The lasso hook and sleeve grip allow for dynamic transitions to other guards, such as De La Riva or Spider Guard.

Techniques from Lasso Guard

Sweeps

Lasso Sweep

  • Off-balance your opponent by extending your lasso leg and pulling on their sleeve, sweeping them toward the trapped arm.

Tripod Sweep

  • Use the lasso leg and a Pant Grip on the opponent’s far leg to sweep them backward.

Submissions

Triangle Choke

  • Pull the opponent into a compromised posture and transition your legs into the triangle setup.

Omoplata

  • Use the trapped arm to off-balance the opponent and pivot for the submission.

Transitions

Advantages of Lasso Guard

  • Strong defensive position that stalls your opponent's ability to pass.
  • Excellent control over one side of the opponent's body, making it easier to dictate the pace.
  • Opportunities for quick sweeps and submissions with little risk.

Challenges of Lasso Guard

  • Requires significant grip strength and endurance, especially against opponents who break grips effectively.
  • Can be susceptible to guard passes like the Smash Pass or Over-Under Pass if the lasso leg is not actively engaged.

The Lasso Guard is a fundamental tool for guard players who want to combine control, creativity, and offensive opportunities in their game. It integrates seamlessly with many other positions and strategies in both gi and no-gi contexts.

Advancing Lasso Guard

Transitions from Lasso Guard

Transition to Spider Guard

  • Release the lasso hook and extend the leg to push on the opponent’s biceps while maintaining Sleeve Grips, transitioning into Spider Guard.

Transition to De La Riva Guard

  • Remove the lasso and insert your foot to hook behind the opponent’s far leg, establishing De La Riva control.

Back Take Transition

  • Use the lasso leg to off-balance the opponent, pivot around their body, and secure control for a Back Take Sweep.

Submissions from Lasso Guard

Triangle Choke

  • Pull the opponent forward to break their posture, remove the lasso leg, and lock your legs around their neck and arm for the choke.

Omoplata

  • Extend the lasso leg and pivot your hips to trap the opponent’s arm, then move into the shoulder lock.

Armbar

  • Use the lasso leg to control their posture, release the grip on the far sleeve, and pivot into the armbar position.

Sweeps from Lasso Guard

Lasso Sweep

  • Extend the lasso leg and pull on the sleeve grip while controlling the far leg or hip, sweeping the opponent toward the trapped arm side.

Overhead Sweep

  • Use the lasso leg to elevate the opponent while pulling their sleeve, flipping them over your head and transitioning to top control.

Balloon Sweep

  • Combine the lasso leg and grips to lift the opponent off balance and sweep them backward.

Tripod Sweep

  • Use the lasso grip and hook the far leg with your free foot, extending to topple the opponent backward.

Passes from Lasso Guard

Untangling the Lasso

  • Pin the lasso leg to the mat and walk your hips backward to free your arm, then proceed to pass using a Knee Cut or Toreando.

Over-Under Pass

  • Once the lasso is neutralized, drop your weight forward and use the Over-Under Pass to clear the remaining guard control.

Smash Pass

  • Flatten the lasso leg while pressuring the opponent’s hips, controlling their mobility, and advancing to Side Control.

Escapes from Lasso Guard

Arm Pull Escape

  • Pull your trapped arm backward while rotating your shoulders to loosen the lasso grip.

Step-Over Escape

  • Pin the lasso leg and step your far leg over it to nullify the guard and work toward a Knee Slide Pass.

Posture and Sprawl

  • Maintain a strong base, posture up to neutralize the lasso pressure, and sprawl to extract the trapped arm.

Takedowns to Enter Lasso Guard

Guard Pull to Lasso Guard

  • Grip the opponent’s sleeves, sit back into a guard pull, and immediately establish the lasso hook with your leg.

Collar Drag to Lasso Guard

  • Use a Collar Drag to bring the opponent forward and set up the lasso position as you sit into guard.

These techniques rely on Frames, Angles, and Leverage to maximize control and capitalize on the opportunities that the Lasso Guard provides for both offense and defense.

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