BJJ Graph

Cross Ashi-Garami Bottom

Dec 09, 202514 min read

Cross Ashi-Garami Bottom is a defensive leg entanglement position where you are on your back with your opponent controlling one of your legs in a cross-configuration ashi garami grip. This position emerged from modern leg lock systems and represents a critical defensive scenario where the bottom player must manage heel hook threats while seeking to escape or counter-attack. Unlike standard ashi garami where the attacker’s legs are on the same side, cross ashi features the top player’s legs crossing over to the opposite side, creating different leverage angles and escape requirements.

The position is characterized by the opponent having your leg trapped between their legs with their hips turned perpendicular to your body, creating a powerful control structure for heel hooks and toe holds. As the bottom player, you must maintain defensive leg positioning, control distance with frames, and understand the mechanics of both escaping and entering your own leg attacks. This position is common in no-gi competition and requires sophisticated understanding of leg entanglement theory to navigate safely.

Cross Ashi-Garami Bottom is considered a medium-risk position because while heel hook submissions are available to the top player, the bottom practitioner has multiple pathways to escape, enter their own leg attacks, or transition to more favorable positions. Success in this position depends on remaining calm under pressure, maintaining proper defensive leg configuration, and capitalizing on the opponent’s positional adjustments to create escape or counter-attack opportunities.

Position Definition

  • Bottom player is on their back with one leg trapped between opponent’s legs in a crossed configuration, with the opponent’s legs positioned on the opposite side of the trapped leg creating cross-body entanglement
  • Top player’s hips are perpendicular or angled to bottom player’s hips with feet positioned to control the trapped leg’s movement and create heel hook or toe hold finishing mechanics
  • Bottom player’s free leg remains mobile and positioned to create frames, push on opponent’s hips or shoulders, and prevent the opponent from achieving optimal finishing position
  • Bottom player’s upper body is free to post on elbows or sit up to create defensive frames and manage distance, with hands actively controlling opponent’s grips or pushing on their body to limit submission threats

Prerequisites

  • Opponent has established leg entanglement from standing, guard passing, or transition from another leg lock position
  • Bottom player’s leg is secured between opponent’s legs in cross configuration
  • Top player has achieved perpendicular hip positioning relative to bottom player
  • Bottom player is on their back or side with compromised base

Key Defensive Principles

  • Keep your trapped leg’s knee flexed and heel pulled toward your hip to prevent full leg extension and heel hook finishing mechanics
  • Use your free leg to create frames on opponent’s hips, shoulders, or head to manage distance and prevent them from settling into optimal finishing position
  • Maintain upper body posture by sitting up or posting on elbows to create active defensive frames rather than lying flat on your back
  • Control opponent’s hands and wrists to prevent them from securing deep heel hook grips or locking their grip configuration
  • Stay calm and systematic in your escape attempts rather than explosive movements that can lead to injury or worse position
  • Recognize opportunities to enter your own leg attacks when opponent adjusts position or loosens control
  • Always be aware of tap-worthy positions and submit early if a heel hook is locked in to prevent serious injury

Available Escapes

Ashi Garami Escape → Open Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 60%

Inside Ashi Entry → Inside Ashi-Garami

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 40%
  • Advanced: 55%

X-Guard to Ashi Transition → X-Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 20%
  • Intermediate: 35%
  • Advanced: 50%

Saddle Defense → Single Leg X-Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 40%
  • Advanced: 55%

Outside Ashi Entry → Outside Ashi-Garami

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 20%
  • Intermediate: 35%
  • Advanced: 50%

Technical Standup → Standing Position

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 15%
  • Intermediate: 30%
  • Advanced: 45%

Opponent Counters

Counter-Attacks

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent secures deep heel hook grip with figure-four configuration locked and begins external rotation:

If opponent has cross ashi control but hands are not yet secured in heel hook grip:

If opponent loosens leg control to transition to saddle or adjust position:

If opponent’s inside leg becomes exposed during adjustment or grip change:

Common Defensive Mistakes

1. Lying flat on back without posting on elbows or sitting up to create defensive frames

  • ❌ Consequence: Allows opponent to settle into optimal finishing position with full control of distance and grip opportunities
  • ✅ Correction: Immediately sit up or post on elbows to create active frames and manage distance, using free leg to push on opponent’s hips or shoulders

2. Allowing trapped leg to fully extend with knee straight

  • ❌ Consequence: Gives opponent optimal leverage for heel hook finish with full leg extension creating maximum rotational force on knee
  • ✅ Correction: Keep knee flexed and heel pulled toward hip at all times, using hamstring strength to resist leg extension

3. Explosive or panicked movements when heel hook threat is present

  • ❌ Consequence: Can lead to self-inflicted injury by moving against the submission or creating sudden force on compromised joint
  • ✅ Correction: Stay calm and move systematically, recognizing when position is lost and tapping early to prevent injury

4. Failing to control opponent’s hands and allowing deep heel hook grips

  • ❌ Consequence: Once heel hook grip is secured with figure-four configuration, escape becomes nearly impossible and injury risk is extreme
  • ✅ Correction: Prioritize hand fighting to prevent opponent from locking fingers together or achieving deep heel exposure

5. Not recognizing or capitalizing on opponent’s positional adjustments

  • ❌ Consequence: Misses escape windows when opponent loosens control to improve position or change grips
  • ✅ Correction: Stay aware of opponent’s movements and immediately attack escape opportunities when leg control loosens

6. Attempting to roll or spin out of cross ashi without proper timing

  • ❌ Consequence: Feeds directly into heel hook finish by creating rotation that opponent can follow and amplify
  • ✅ Correction: Only attempt rotational escapes when opponent’s leg control is compromised and escape path is clear

Training Drills for Defense

Cross Ashi Defensive Positioning Drill

Partner establishes cross ashi control without finishing grips. Bottom player practices maintaining defensive leg configuration (knee flexed, heel to hip), sitting up to create frames, and controlling partner’s hands. Hold each defensive position for 30 seconds, focusing on maintaining proper structure without attempting escapes.

Duration: 5 minutes (10 rounds of 30 seconds)

Escape Window Recognition Drill

Partner establishes cross ashi and alternates between tight control and intentionally loosening leg position or adjusting grips. Bottom player must recognize the escape window and immediately execute appropriate escape (standard escape, inside ashi entry, or X-guard transition). Repeat 20 times with varying timing.

Duration: 10 minutes

Hand Fighting from Cross Ashi Bottom

Partner establishes cross ashi and actively attempts to secure heel hook grips while bottom player focuses exclusively on hand fighting to prevent deep grips. No escapes allowed - only grip prevention. Partner should achieve various levels of grip control to challenge bottom player’s defensive hand fighting.

Duration: 5 minutes (switch roles)

Counter-Entanglement Entry Drill

From established cross ashi bottom position, partner deliberately creates openings for counter-attacks (inside leg exposed, posting for balance, transitioning to saddle). Bottom player practices entering their own leg attacks (inside ashi, outside ashi, X-guard) at appropriate moments. Focus on timing and recognition rather than finishing.

Duration: 8 minutes

Escape and Survival Paths

Escape to Guard Reset Path

Cross Ashi-Garami Bottom → Ashi Garami Escape → Open Guard

Counter-Attack to Inside Ashi Path

Cross Ashi-Garami Bottom → Inside Ashi Entry → Inside Ashi-Garami → Inside Heel Hook → Won by Submission

Defensive Transition to Sweep Path

Cross Ashi-Garami Bottom → X-Guard to Ashi Transition → X-Guard → X-Guard Sweep → Mount

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner30%25%5%
Intermediate45%40%15%
Advanced60%55%30%

Average Time in Position: 20-45 seconds

Expert Analysis

John Danaher

Cross ashi-garami represents one of the most mechanically sound positions for heel hook application due to the perpendicular hip alignment and crossed leg configuration. As the bottom player, your defensive strategy must be built around two critical hierarchies: first, preventing the opponent from securing the heel hook grip configuration, and second, maintaining a flexed knee position to eliminate the straight-leg mechanics required for effective heel hook finishing. The crossed leg configuration creates a powerful wedge against your leg, so your escape timing must coincide with the opponent’s positional adjustments - when they transition toward saddle, adjust their grips, or reposition their hips, the wedge temporarily loosens and creates your escape window. Understanding the biomechanical relationship between hip angle, leg configuration, and submission leverage is essential for both defending heel hooks and recognizing when the position has deteriorated beyond safe recovery, at which point immediate submission is the only intelligent choice.

Gordon Ryan

Cross ashi bottom is a position you absolutely need to understand if you’re competing in modern no-gi, because everyone is hunting for this position and the heel hook finish. In competition, I’ve found that the key to surviving cross ashi is staying one step ahead - you need to be escaping before they fully settle into the position, not after they’ve locked everything in. The biggest mistake I see is people waiting until the heel hook grip is deep before they start moving, and by then it’s too late. When I’m caught in cross ashi, I’m immediately sitting up, framing on their hips with my free leg, and hand fighting to prevent the figure-four grip. If they get the grip locked, the match is over - you tap or you get injured. The counter-attacking opportunities are real though, especially if your opponent gets greedy and rushes to finish without securing proper control. I’ve entered inside ashi from bottom cross ashi many times when opponents got impatient and gave me their inside leg. Stay calm, stay defensive, and capitalize when they make positional mistakes.

Eddie Bravo

Cross ashi from bottom is one of those positions where you really need to understand the whole leg lock game to survive, because traditional defensive thinking doesn’t work here. The 10th Planet approach to defending cross ashi is built around active offense - we’re not just trying to escape, we’re looking to enter our own leg attacks the moment the opportunity presents itself. When someone has you in cross ashi, they’re also giving you access to their legs, and if you understand inside and outside ashi entries, you can turn defense into offense instantly. The key innovation we’ve developed is using the free leg not just as a frame, but as an active tool to create angles for counter-entanglements. Instead of just pushing their hips away, we’re hooking their far leg, creating triangles with our legs, and constantly threatening to enter our own control positions. This forces the top player to be more conservative with their attack, which creates more escape opportunities. But yeah, if someone locks in that heel hook grip with the figure-four, you’re done - tap immediately and live to roll another day. There’s no ego in leg locks, only healthy knees and blown-out knees.