Lasso guard is the gi open guard where you hold a sleeve and thread your leg over that arm, so your shin hooks their arm from the outside. It is spider guard's partner: one leg pushes, the other wraps.
- In BJJ: a gi guard built on the sleeve grip, because the lasso only works when the arm cannot pull free.
- The lasso controls one whole side of your partner's body: the arm is trapped, the shoulder is pulled down and the hip on that side is yours to attack.
- Attacks: the omoplata, the triangle choke, the lasso sweep and the transition to spider guard or De La Riva.
What is lasso guard?
You grip a sleeve at the cuff, then bring your same-side leg over the top of that arm, around the outside and back under the armpit, so your foot ends up inside, near their ribs. Your shin now hooks the back of their arm and the sleeve grip keeps it there. Their arm is tied up and their posture is pulled down on that side.
The other leg is free. Most players put that foot on the opposite biceps or hip, which makes the classic spider-lasso combination, or hook it De La Riva style for a sweep.
How do you play lasso guard?
- Grip the sleeve at the cuff and pull the arm across, so their elbow bends and the armpit opens.
- Thread your same-side leg over the arm, around the outside and under the armpit. Point your toes and hook the foot inside, by their ribs.
- Keep the sleeve grip tight to your hip so the lasso stays deep. A loose sleeve is a lasso they can pull out of.
- Use the free leg: foot on the opposite biceps or hip to manage distance, or a De La Riva hook to load a sweep.
- Attack the trapped side: swing into the omoplata when they posture up, or sweep toward the lasso when they step forward.
The most common mistake is a shallow lasso with the foot stuck at the elbow. From there your partner can step over the leg or stack you and pass. The foot goes all the way through to the ribs, and the hip stays turned toward the lasso.
Is lasso guard legal in IBJJF competition?
Yes. The IBJJF Rules Book makes gripping inside the opening of the sleeve with the fingers a serious foul, so hold the sleeve on the outside of the cloth.
The IBJJF Rules Book defines the guard as using one or more legs to block the opponent from reaching side control or north-south. Getting past the legs to side control or north-south and holding it for three seconds scores the guard pass, 3 points; a reversal from the guard held for three seconds scores the sweep, 2 points.
How do you look after your knees in lasso guard?
A deep lasso puts your knee in a bent, loaded position while your partner leans on it, so release it when they stack hard rather than holding on. Fingers suffer too, as with every sleeve guard. Our BJJ training gear is rash guards and spats for rounds with and without the gi.
Sources
- IBJJF Rules Book, IBJJF
Related terms
Spider guard, De la Riva guard, Omoplata, Triangle choke, Open guard, Finger tape.