Leash: What does it mean to leash a jungler in LoL?
In League of Legends, a leash is when a teammate helps the jungler take down a jungle monster—like the blue buff—by drawing its attention and dealing some early damage, without stealing the kill. This tactic lets the jungler clear the camp faster, take less damage, and get moving on their path more efficiently, often leading to earlier ganks and better overall map presence.
While leashing can be useful at different points in a match, it’s most common at the start of the game. Helping the jungler get a smoother opening makes a big difference—it can give your team early momentum and put pressure on the enemy before they’re ready to react.
How to Leash the Right Way
First, wait for the jungler to decide which camp they’re starting at—usually the one closest to where they begin. Once they’ve chosen, the nearby laners should head over before the camp spawns, and get ready to attack the first monster when it appears.
The laners’ job is to land a few hits to get the monsters’ attention and soften them up. This draws some damage away from the jungler so they don’t get chunked right away. Once the monsters are low on health, the laners should head to their lanes and let the jungler finish off the camp.
Done properly, this helps the jungler stay healthier and clears the camp faster. But timing and communication are key—if the leash is too short or too late, it can end up doing more harm than good. A well-coordinated leash gives your team an early edge and sets the tone for the rest of the match.