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IntermediateLasso Guard Sweep
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About This Technique
Technique Overview
The Lasso Guard Sweep is a dynamic reversal technique primarily used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It's effectively utilized from the Open Guard position and involves ensnaring the opponent’s arm with your leg to gain leverage for a sweep.
Japanese Name
- N/A (This technique does not have a widely recognized Japanese name.)
Position
- Open Guard
Execution: Step-by-Step Guide
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Initial Setup from Open Guard
- Begin in your Open Guard position with your opponent kneeling in front of you.
- Control both of your opponent's sleeves with your hands.
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Establishing the Lasso Hook
- Start by threading your right leg outside your opponent's left arm.
- Bring your leg back in, hooking it around and under your opponent’s arm, ideally wrapping your shin around their triceps.
- Secure your foot deep into their armpit.
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Working the Off-balance
- Simultaneously, your left leg should cross over your opponent’s right thigh.
- Utilize your left foot to hook their far hip or inner thigh, depending on reach and opponent's stance.
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Adjusting the Angle
- Aim to turn slightly perpendicular to your opponent while staying on your right hip.
- This rotation tightens your lasso and causes additional off-balancing.
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Initiating the Sweep
- Pull their left sleeve down and across their body with your left hand.
- With your hips, lift your right hook leg—this pressure up and over guides your opponent off their base.
- Extend your legs forcefully following the same direction as the angle you’ve created.
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Completing the Sweep and Transition
- As your opponent starts to tip, switch grips to control their belt or pant leg for better leverage.
- Continue the motion to roll them over your body, directing them to their side, until their back touches the ground.
- Follow through, ending in a dominant Topside Control or Mount position.
Important Considerations
- Leg Positioning: The depth of your lasso hook can affect the efficiency of the sweep. The deeper your hook, the better the leverage.
- Maintaining Sleeve Control: Retaining a firm grip on the opponent's sleeves throughout the sweep is crucial to prevent them from posting and regaining balance.
- Timing and Technique Over Strength: Ensure you execute the move fluidly, using your opponent's forward pressure against them for best results.
Practice and Precautions
- Practice Drills: Repeated drills focusing on the insertion of the lasso and the swing required for the sweep.
- Partner Work: Communicate and practice with partners experienced in open guard dynamics to learn the nuances of timing and leverage.
The Lasso Guard Sweep serves as both an effective protective measure against aggressive guard passes and a powerful offensive tool to gain a dominant position over an opponent. Practice regularly to seamlessly integrate it into your BJJ repertoire.
How to Execute
# Lasso Guard Sweep from Open Guard
## Setup
- **Initial Position Details**: Start in the open guard position with your opponent kneeling or standing. You should be positioned on your back, facing your opponent.
- **Grips and Controls Needed**:
- Secure a sleeve grip on one of your opponent's arms. This will be the side you will lasso.
- With your free hand, establish a cross-collar grip on your opponent. This grip can help control their posture.
- Use your feet on your opponent's hips to maintain distance and control as you maneuver into the lasso position.
## Steps
1. **Create Distance**:
- Place your foot on your opponent's hip on the same side as your sleeve grip.
- Push off the hip to create space and to angle your body slightly to the side.
2. **Insert the Lasso**:
- With your other leg (the one opposite to your sleeve grip), swing your leg over your opponent's arm, and hook your foot around their far side or back, ideally placing your foot between their arm and torso.
- Pull their sleeve with your hand while extending your leg to maintain tension and control.
3. **Establish Additional Control**:
- Adjust your non-lassoing leg to either hook behind their leg or maintain a foot on the hip, depending on your opponent's posture and reaction.
- Use your cross-collar grip to pull down and off-balance your opponent, further disrupting their base.
4. **Execute the Sweep**:
- Pull your opponent's sleeve towards you and towards the mat while simultaneously kicking the lasso leg and lifting your hips.
- Use the momentum to roll your opponent over to the side where they are lassoed, aiming to bring them down to their back.
5. **Finish in a Dominant Position**:
- As your opponent falls, follow through by coming up on top, ideally passing their legs and securing side control.
- Maintain control of the sleeve to prevent any immediate counters or escapes.
## Key Points
- **Important Details to Remember**:
- Keep the sleeve grip tight to ensure your opponent cannot easily retract their arm.
- The lasso leg should be active, maintaining tension to control your opponent's posture and balance.
- Use your core and hips to generate the power needed for the sweep.
- **Common Mistakes to Avoid**:
- Failing to create enough angle or space when inserting the lasso, which can lead to weak control.
- Allowing your opponent to posture up, which can nullify the effectiveness of the lasso guard.
- Neglecting to follow through to a dominant position, potentially allowing your opponent to scramble and recover guard.
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