10 Tips for An Unstoppable Lasso Guard
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Lasso Guard·BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu Channel
Are you tired of getting your lasso guard beat ? this video o share will help you understand the lasso guard a lot more …
Lasso Guard
SubFamilyラッソーガード(Rassō Gādo)
TransliterationTranslation: lasso guard
Overview
The Lasso Guard subfamily covers the open guard position where the guard player wraps one leg over the opponent's arm and threads it through, creating a 'lasso' that entangles the arm and provides powerful control. [1] The lasso guard is a gi-dependent position because the foot must grip or hook the gi material to maintain the lasso wrap. [1],[2] The lasso provides very strong one-sided control that can be used for sweeps, omoplata entries, and triangle set-ups. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The lasso guard provides powerful control by wrapping the leg over the opponent's arm and threading it inside the elbow crease, creating a controlling hook that restricts the passer's arm movement and generates strong sweeping angles. [1]
Lineage
The lasso guard was developed in gi BJJ competition, using the sleeve grip wrapped around the attacker's arm with the shin. [1]
Competition Record
Lasso guard is frequently used in gi BJJ competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Using the legs and hips to control the opponent from the bottom — maintaining distance management and attack angles
Joints Involved — Hips (primary engine for sweeps and attacks), knees (framing and hooking), ankles (secondary hooks)
Force Vector — Pulling, framing, and hip-escaping — creating angles for attacks while preventing passing
Positional Mechanic — The guard is an active offensive position — leg control compensates for bottom positioning by threatening sweeps and submissions
Position & Entry
From seated or supine position — Maintain distance with feet on the opponent's hips or legs, hands controlling grips or collars
From closed guard break — When the opponent opens the closed guard, transition to open guard by establishing foot and grip controls
Videos
Lasso Guard Sweeps
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Lasso Guard·The Grapple Lab
Lasso Guard Sweeps. In this weeks video we look specifically at lasso sweeps when your opponent lifts their leg into com…
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Guard positions are defensive; injury risk comes from transitions, not the position itself
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— IJF — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — ground...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from ...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points por...
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — no penalty for playing guard
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Lasso guard wraps one leg over and around the opponent's arm, threading the foot behind their shoulder or bicep — creating a powerful control that limits their passing ability (Keenan Cornelius, Lapel Guard Encyclopedia, 2010s)
✓The lasso 'locks' the opponent's arm: the leg wraps over the bicep and the foot hooks behind, creating a fulcrum that controls the arm
✓Lasso guard is one of the strongest gi guards for controlling distance and preventing passes — the leg wrap physically prevents the opponent from advancing
✓From lasso, the primary attacks are: omoplata (spin under the lasso'd arm), triangle (free the lasso and transition), and sweeps (use the lasso as a lever)
✓The lasso can be deep (foot exits behind the shoulder blade) or shallow (foot hooks the bicep) — deep lasso is more controlling, shallow lasso is more mobile
✓Lasso guard is primarily a gi technique: the sleeve grip is essential for maintaining the wrap
✓Combining lasso on one side with spider guard on the other creates the 'lasso-spider' hybrid — one of the most effective gi guard systems
Common Mistakes
!Playing lasso without a strong sleeve grip — the sleeve grip anchors the entire position
!Using a shallow lasso when a deep lasso is available — the deeper the wrap, the more control
!Staying in lasso without attacking — the lasso creates opportunities; exploit them with sweeps and submissions
!Playing lasso on both sides simultaneously — one lasso combined with spider or collar-sleeve on the other side is optimal
!Not developing the omoplata entry from lasso — it is the highest-percentage submission from this position
!Using lasso guard in no-gi — the lasso requires sleeve grips; it does not translate to no-gi
!Wrapping the leg without controlling distance with the other foot — the free leg must manage spacing
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Achieve Guard Contact — establish leg control around or against the opponent
2Control Grips — secure sleeve, collar, or wrist control for manipulation
3Manage Distance — use legs and grips to control the range and prevent passing
4Threaten Submissions/Sweeps — create offensive threats to keep the opponent reactive
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] IBJJF Rules (2024) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] The Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2003)
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] The Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2003)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationThe Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] IBJJF Rules (2024) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] The Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2003)
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] The Guard (Moreira & Beneville, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility, active legs, grip management
Favours
long legs for distance control and guard retention
Key muscles
hip flexors, adductors, quadriceps, core, grip
Sub-techniques
Double Lasso Guard
GenusThe Double Lasso Guard uses the lasso wrap on both sides — both legs threaded over and through the opponent's arms — creating a symmetrical control that severely restricts the opponent's ability to use their arms. [1] The double lasso is extremely controlling but limits the guard player's own mobility, making it primarily a stalling or submission-setup position. [1,2] From double lasso, the guard player can attack with sweep combinations and triangle chokes. [2,3]
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Standard Lasso Guard
GenusThe Standard Lasso Guard uses a single lasso wrap on one side, with the other leg positioned as a secondary control (on the hip, bicep, or in spider guard configuration). [1] The standard single lasso provides strong one-sided control while maintaining enough mobility for the guard player to sweep, attack, and transition. [1,2] It is the most commonly used lasso guard configuration, balancing control with offensive versatility. [2,3]
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my opponent lifts their foot to combat base while I'm in lasso guard?
When your opponent lifts their foot to counter sweeps, you can keep the lasso tight and look for a de la Riva hook on that leg instead, or transition to a different sweep by moving your hips out and bringing your foot underneath their far leg.
Why shouldn't I let go of the lasso grip during a sweep?
The Grapple Lab instructor emphasizes that letting go of the lasso grip allows your opponent to scramble up to their elbow, turning it into a scrambling battle that favors the stronger or more athletic player.
How should I position my lasso leg when sweeping to avoid getting passed?
Keep your lasso leg flared out with good outside pressure and avoid collapsing your knee inward as you turn your hips, as this makes it too easy for your opponent to pass your guard.
Where should I place the lasso when my opponent stands up from guard?
According to BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu, when your opponent stands up, move the lasso to their back instead of their hip to maintain leverage, since a standing opponent can deadlift you if the lasso is on the hip.
What's the most important thing to focus on when playing lasso guard?
BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu states that the priority is maintaining your primary lasso grip while always keeping secondary grips available—don't rely on a single grip or your opponent will break it and gain control.
How does the Lasso Guard work?
The Lasso Guard subfamily covers the open guard position where the guard player wraps one leg over the opponent's arm and threads it through, creating a 'lasso' that entangles the arm and provides powerful control. The lasso guard is a gi-dependent position because the foot must grip or hook the gi material to maintain the lasso wrap.
Where does the Lasso Guard come from?
The lasso guard was developed in gi BJJ as a powerful open guard control system, becoming a major competition guard in the 2000s and 2010s. It is widely used at all levels of gi competition for its strong control and submission opportunities.
Is the Lasso Guard legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from guard score 2 points; IJF: restricted — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — groundwork from guard permitted …; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points portion; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — no penalty for playing guard; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Lasso Guard?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — guard positions are defensive; injury risk comes from transitions, not the position itself
How do I set up the Lasso Guard?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Guard Contact → Control Grips → Manage Distance → Threaten Submissions/Sweeps.
How do I defend against the Lasso Guard?
Standard counters include: Guard Pass — systematically work to clear the legs and establish a dominant position / Leg Pin — control one or both legs to neutralize guard retention / Pressure Passing — use heavy chest pressure to flatten and immobilize the guard player.
What are the variants of the Lasso Guard?
Common variants: Spider guard (gripping both sleeves with feet on the biceps for distanc…); De la Riva guard (one hook behind the opponent's lead leg with opposite foo…); Lasso guard (lasso grip wrapping the leg around the opponent's arm); Collar-sleeve guard (controlling collar with one hand and sleeve with the othe…).
How effective is the Lasso Guard in competition?
Lasso guard is frequently used in gi BJJ competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Lasso Guard?
Top errors to watch for: Playing lasso without a strong sleeve grip — the sleeve grip anchors the entire position / Using a shallow lasso when a deep lasso is available — the deeper the wrap, the more control / Staying in lasso without attacking — the lasso creates opportunities; exploit them with sweeps and submissions / Playing lasso on both sides simultaneously — one lasso combined with spider or collar-sleeve on the other side is opt….
What are other names for the Lasso Guard?
The Lasso Guard is also known as Rassō Gādo, Lasso Guard, Guarda Laço, Spiral Guard.