KALI FMA Leg Sweeps / takedowns pt1 Tutorial
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Leg Drag Execution·Kali Kombat·Added by Admin
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Leg Drag Execution
Genusレッグドラッグパス(Reggu Doraggu Pasu)
TransliterationTranslation: leg drag pass
Overview
The leg drag pass controls one of the opponent's legs and drags it across the passer's own centerline to the opposite hip, pinning the knee to the mat while the chest presses the opponent's thigh flat, eliminating hip mobility on one side and creating a direct passing lane to side control or the back. [1] The technique appeared in rudimentary form in the 1990s through Fernando 'Terere' Augusto, Leo Vieira, and Vitor 'Shaolin' Ribeiro. It was revolutionized by Rafael and Guilherme Mendes in the early 2010s, who used it as both a passing position and a back-take platform to win multiple IBJJF World Championships. [2]
Standard Leg Drag PassLeg Drag PassLeg DragDrags Pass
History & Origin
Effectiveness
One of the most important modern guard passes. Rafael Mendes used the leg drag to back take sequence to win multiple IBJJF World Championships. The technique works against all guard variations and provides direct access to both side control and back takes. [1]
Lineage
Terere, Leo Vieira, Shaolin (1990s-2000s) → Mendes brothers revolution (2010s) → Modern standard pass.
Competition Record
Rafael Mendes: multiple IBJJF World Championship titles using leg drag to back take. Guilherme Mendes: IBJJF World Champion. Mikey Musumeci, Gianni Grippo also use extensively.
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Control one leg and drag it across the passer's centerline to the opposite hip, pinning the knee to the mat
Force Vector — Chest presses the opponent's thigh flat while the grip drags laterally
Leverage Principle — Eliminates guard player's hip mobility on one side by pinning the leg across, creating a one-sided passing lane
Position & Entry
From standing vs open guard — Grip opponent's ankle or pant leg, step laterally and drag the leg across to pin
From De La Riva counter — Strip the DLR hook and immediately drag the leg across
From toreando transition — When toreando is partially defended, switch to leg drag by controlling one leg
Variants
Leg drag to back take — Mendes brothers signature, continue the drag to expose the back
Leg drag from standing — initiated from standing position
Leg drag from De La Riva counter — strip the hook and drag
Reverse leg drag — drag in the opposite direction
Leg drag as a pinning position — maintain the drag control without advancing, using it as a control point
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Controlled lateral pressure on the hip with no joint manipulation
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IBJJF — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part ...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The leg drag was revolutionized by the Mendes brothers (Rafael and Guilherme) at Art of Jiu-Jitsu in the early 2010s. Rafael Mendes (multiple IBJJF World Champion) used the leg drag to back take as his signature sequence. The technique had existed earlier — Fernando 'Terere' Augusto, Leo Vieira, and Vitor 'Shaolin' Ribeiro all used early versions in the 2000s. The leg drag is distinct from other passes because it is neither a toreando (standing lateral), a pressure pass (smashing weight), nor a knee pass — it creates its own category based on lateral leg control and hip pinning. Subsequent practitioners include Mikey Musumeci, Gianni Grippo, Keenan Cornelius, and the Miyao brothers. The leg drag functions both as a pass (advancement past the guard) and as a control position (maintaining the pin without advancing further).
Common Mistakes
!Not pinning the knee firmly to the mat — the drag must immobilize the leg
!Releasing the grip too early — maintain control until side control is established
!Not pressing chest into the thigh — the chest pressure is what prevents reguarding
!Not transitioning quickly to side control or back — the leg drag is a transitional position
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish standing position → Grip opponent's ankle or pant leg → Step laterally and drag the leg across your centerline → Pin knee to mat → Press chest into opponent's thigh → Advance to side control or continue to back take
Sources & References
Primary Source
BJJ Heroes — Leg Drag Guard Pass History
1BookArt of Jiu-Jitsu — Rafael Mendes competition system
[2] Art of Jiu-Jitsu — Mendes brothers competition footage and system
2BookBJJ Fanatics — Leg Drag instructional content
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
BJJ Heroes — Leg Drag Guard Pass History (bjjheroes.com) || Art of Jiu-Jitsu — Rafael Mendes competition system || BJJ Fanatics — Leg Drag instructional content
4OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
5CitationBJJ Heroes — Leg Drag Guard Pass History (bjjheroes.com)
[1] BJJ Heroes — leg drag history documenting Terere, Vieira, Shaolin, Mendes lineage
6CitationArt of Jiu-Jitsu — Rafael Mendes competition system
[2] Art of Jiu-Jitsu — Mendes brothers competition footage and system
7CitationBJJ Fanatics — Leg Drag instructional content
Community
Athletics
Requires
precise grip placement, hip positioning, lateral movement
Key muscles
adductors, obliques, grip flexors
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the basic principle behind all leg sweeps and takedowns?
The fundamental concept is sweeping the feet in the opposite direction of the head, in any direction. Kali Kombat emphasizes that while there are hundreds of ways to sweep a person, they all return to this one core principle.
What footwork do I need to set up a leg drag sweep?
You need to establish proper footwork to get into sweeping position, using techniques like the triangle step, v-step from the outside, and cross step (where your left foot goes to the outside of your opponent's foot). Kali Kombat teaches using a push and pull concept to move your opponent's foot and knee in one direction while pulling their body another way.
How does the push-pull concept work in executing sweeps?
Push on one side of your opponent's body and pull on the other, which can be applied to any joint or the whole body during a sweep. This simultaneous push-pull action is what creates the effective takedown.
How does the Leg Drag Execution work?
The leg drag pass controls one of the opponent's legs and drags it across the passer's own centerline to the opposite hip, pinning the knee to the mat while the chest presses the opponent's thigh flat, eliminating hip mobility on one side and creating a direct passing lane to side control or the back. The technique appeared in rudimentary form in the 1990s through Fernando 'Terere' Augusto, Leo Vieira, and Vitor 'Shaolin' Ribeiro.
Where does the Leg Drag Execution come from?
Appeared in rudimentary form in the 1990s-2000s through Terere, Leo Vieira, and Shaolin. Revolutionized by Rafael and Guilherme Mendes in the early 2010s at Art of Jiu-Jitsu.
Is the Leg Drag Execution legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; IJF: legal — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part of newaza; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; Unified MMA: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Leg Drag Execution?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — controlled lateral pressure on the hip with no joint manipulation
How do I set up the Leg Drag Execution?
The standard setup chain: Establish standing position → Grip opponent's ankle or pant leg → Step laterally and drag the leg across your centerline → Pin knee to mat → Press chest into opponent's thigh → Advance to side control or continue to back take.
How do I defend against the Leg Drag Execution?
Standard counters include: Granby roll / inversion — invert before the pin is established / Pummel legs free — retract the dragged leg before it is pinned / Underhook the far leg — prevent the passer from advancing / Berimbolo counter-attack — use the passer's lateral position against them.
What are the variants of the Leg Drag Execution?
Common variants: Leg drag to back take (Mendes brothers signature, continue the drag to expose th…); Leg drag from standing (initiated from standing position); Leg drag from De La Riva counter (strip the hook and drag); Reverse leg drag (drag in the opposite direction); Leg drag as a pinning position (maintain the drag control without advancing, using it as …).
How effective is the Leg Drag Execution in competition?
Rafael Mendes: multiple IBJJF World Championship titles using leg drag to back take. Guilherme Mendes: IBJJF World Champion.
What are common mistakes when doing the Leg Drag Execution?
Top errors to watch for: Not pinning the knee firmly to the mat — the drag must immobilize the leg / Releasing the grip too early — maintain control until side control is established / Not pressing chest into the thigh — the chest pressure is what prevents reguarding / Not transitioning quickly to side control or back — the leg drag is a transitional position.
What are other names for the Leg Drag Execution?
The Leg Drag Execution is also known as Reggu Doraggu Pasu, Standard Leg Drag Pass, Leg Drag Pass, Leg Drag, Drags Pass.