CROSS STEP PASS FROM LEG WEAVE
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Standard Leg Weave Pass·Bryce Nie·Added by Admin
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Standard Leg Weave Pass
Genusレッグウィーブパス(Reggu Wību Pasu)
TransliterationTranslation: leg weave pass
Overview
The leg weave pass threads one arm between the opponent's legs — behind the top knee-shield leg and in front of the bottom hook — binding both legs together, then drives the forehead into the opponent's abdomen and pikes the hips to flatten the opponent's hips to the mat before circling laterally to side control. [1] Rodolfo Vieira (multiple IBJJF World Champion at heavyweight, later UFC fighter) is the practitioner most closely associated with the technique as part of his legendary pressure passing system. Fabio Gurgel (4x World Champion, Alliance head) has also contributed refinements. [2]
Leg Weave PassHip Smash PassLeg WeaveWeave Pass
History & Origin
Traditional pressure passing technique with no single inventor. Rodolfo Vieira popularized and refined it as part of his championship pressure passing system. [1]
Effectiveness
Core pressure passing technique used by heavyweight and ultra-heavyweight world champions. Particularly effective against half guard and knee shield. [1]
Lineage
Traditional BJJ pressure pass. Refined by Rodolfo Vieira (IBJJF World Champion, UFC fighter) and Fabio Gurgel (4x World Champion, Alliance).
Competition Record
Rodolfo Vieira: multiple IBJJF World Championship titles at heavyweight using leg weave as core pass.
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Arm threads between opponent's legs, binding both together; forehead drives into abdomen
Force Vector — Pike hips upward to flatten opponent's hips to mat; weight distribution through head pressure
Finishing Mechanic — Circle laterally to advance past the bound legs into side control
Position & Entry
From knee shield half guard — Thread arm between the knee shield and bottom hook to bind the legs
From half guard top — Weave the arm through the leg tangle and begin driving forward
From Z-guard — Thread arm past the Z-guard frame and bind the legs
Variants
Leg weave from half guard — most common entry
Leg weave from knee shield — thread past the shield
Leg weave with collar grip — gi-specific addition
Leg weave to mount — continue advancing past side control
Arm weave variation — threading the arm differently
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Moderate — pressure-based with head/weight on abdomen; can cause discomfort but low injury risk
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
✓Rodolfo Vieira's 'Jiu-Jitsu Domination: Smash. Pass. Finish.' (BJJ Fanatics) is the premier instructional for this technique. Fabio Gurgel includes the leg weave in his 'Pressure Passing System' (Grapplearts). Bruno Frazatto teaches it as a dedicated system through Digitsu. Weight distribution and head pressure are more important than speed — this is a patient, grinding pass.
Common Mistakes
!Not threading the arm deep enough — the bind must secure both legs
!Head position too high — forehead must drive into opponent's abdomen
!Not piking hips — hips must be elevated to flatten the opponent
!Rushing the circle — must maintain pressure throughout the lateral advance
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish top position in half guard → Thread arm between opponent's legs → Bind both legs together → Drive forehead into abdomen → Pike hips to flatten opponent → Circle laterally → Establish side control
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu Domination: Smash. Pass. Finish. (Vieira, BJJ Fanatics)
1BookJiu-Jitsu Domination: Smash Pass Finish (Vieira, BJJ Fanatics)
[1] Vieira — Jiu-Jitsu Domination instructional
2BookGrapplearts — Leg Weave Guard Pass (Kesting)
[2] Grapplearts — Kesting leg weave analysis and counters
3BookLeg Weave Pass Seminar (Frazatto, Digitsu)
4OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
5CitationJiu-Jitsu Domination: Smash Pass Finish (Vieira, BJJ Fanatics)
[1] Vieira — Jiu-Jitsu Domination instructional
6CitationGrapplearts — Leg Weave Guard Pass (Kesting)
[2] Grapplearts — Kesting leg weave analysis and counters
7CitationLeg Weave Pass Seminar (Frazatto, Digitsu)
Community
Athletics
Requires
patience, sensitivity to weight distribution, head pressure endurance
Key muscles
neck, shoulders, core, hip flexors
Frequently Asked Questions
What hand positions should I use when doing a leg weave pass?
According to Bryce Nie, use a collar grip (long step grip) with one hand and grab the pants or use a cigarette grip to control the knee with the other hand. Hand control of the leg is essential—without it, your opponent can establish a knee shield or escape.
What should I do after establishing the leg weave pass?
Bryce Nie recommends walking back toward the hips and switching to a leg drag position, which you can then use to take the back. However, you have options—if you prefer, you can stabilize side control instead.
How do I prevent my opponent from getting under-hook control during a leg weave pass?
Bryce Nie emphasizes keeping your arm positioned under the opponent's armpit to prevent them from hugging the back or establishing an under-hook position where they can attack you.
How does the Standard Leg Weave Pass work?
The leg weave pass threads one arm between the opponent's legs — behind the top knee-shield leg and in front of the bottom hook — binding both legs together, then drives the forehead into the opponent's abdomen and pikes the hips to flatten the opponent's hips to the mat before circling laterally to side control. Rodolfo Vieira (multiple IBJJF World Champion at heavyweight, later UFC fighter) is the practitioner most closely associated with the technique as part of his legendary pressure passing system.
Where does the Standard Leg Weave Pass come from?
Traditional pressure passing technique with no single inventor. Rodolfo Vieira popularized and refined it as part of his championship pressure passing system.
Is the Standard Leg Weave Pass 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 Standard Leg Weave Pass?
Danger rating 3/10. Low-moderate — pressure-based with head/weight on abdomen; can cause discomfort but low injury risk
How do I set up the Standard Leg Weave Pass?
The standard setup chain: Establish top position in half guard → Thread arm between opponent's legs → Bind both legs together → Drive forehead into abdomen → Pike hips to flatten opponent → Circle laterally → Establish side control.
How do I defend against the Standard Leg Weave Pass?
Standard counters include: Early frame before the weave is established / Hip escape before hips are pinned / Rolling omoplata — catch the weaving arm / Underhook the far arm.
What are the variants of the Standard Leg Weave Pass?
Common variants: Leg weave from half guard (most common entry); Leg weave from knee shield (thread past the shield); Leg weave with collar grip (gi-specific addition); Leg weave to mount (continue advancing past side control); Arm weave variation (threading the arm differently).
How effective is the Standard Leg Weave Pass in competition?
Rodolfo Vieira: multiple IBJJF World Championship titles at heavyweight using leg weave as core pass.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Leg Weave Pass?
Top errors to watch for: Not threading the arm deep enough — the bind must secure both legs / Head position too high — forehead must drive into opponent's abdomen / Not piking hips — hips must be elevated to flatten the opponent / Rushing the circle — must maintain pressure throughout the lateral advance.
What are other names for the Standard Leg Weave Pass?
The Standard Leg Weave Pass is also known as Reggu Wību Pasu, Leg Weave Pass, Hip Smash Pass, Leg Weave, Weave Pass.