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Single Leg X Guard Bottom | BJJ Position Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202511 min read

Single Leg X Guard Bottom

bjjstateguardsinglegxbottomlegentanglement

State Properties

  • State ID: S277
  • Point Value: 0 (Guard position)
  • Position Type: Offensive guard position
  • Risk Level: Medium
  • Energy Cost: Medium
  • Time Sustainability: Medium

State Description

Single Leg X Guard (SLX) Bottom is a highly effective guard position where the bottom player controls one of the opponent’s legs using an X-frame configuration with their own legs. This position is particularly powerful against standing opponents and offers excellent sweeping mechanics through the combination of off-balancing and leg control. SLX is a fundamental position in modern BJJ, serving as both an attacking position and a transitional hub to other guard systems.

The position’s effectiveness comes from the X-shaped leg configuration that traps the opponent’s near leg while controlling their far leg with the foot, creating a mechanical advantage that makes it difficult for the opponent to maintain balance. This guard is especially prevalent in no-gi competition due to its reliability without grip dependencies.

Visual Description

You are positioned on your back or partially inverted with your legs forming an X-shape around one of your opponent’s legs. Your inside leg (the leg on the same side as the trapped leg) hooks behind the opponent’s near knee, with your foot hooking around the back of their leg. Your outside leg extends across your body, with your foot pressing against the opponent’s far hip or thigh, creating an outward pushing force. This X-configuration creates a stable control system that traps the opponent’s near leg while off-balancing them. Your upper body is typically angled toward the opponent’s trapped leg, with your arms working to control their near leg, ankle, or heel. The opponent is usually standing or in a low crouch, attempting to maintain balance and defend against the sweeping threats. Your hips are mobile and positioned to generate sweeping motion by extending and pulling simultaneously with your legs. The spatial relationship creates a mechanical advantage where your two legs control their one leg, making it difficult for them to establish stable base or escape the entanglement without giving up position.

Key Principles

  • X-Frame Integrity: Maintain the X-shape of legs - inside leg hooks, outside leg pushes
  • Hip Positioning: Keep hips close to trapped leg for maximum control
  • Push-Pull Dynamic: Simultaneously push with outside leg and pull with inside leg
  • Leg Elevation Control: Elevate opponent’s leg to compromise their balance
  • Constant Off-Balancing: Never let opponent establish stable base
  • Upper Body Control: Use hands to control trapped leg or ankle
  • Transition Readiness: Be prepared to adjust to X-Guard, Ashi Garami, or technical standup

Offensive Transitions

From this position, you can execute:

Sweeps

  • Single Leg X Sweep → Top Position (Success Rate: Beginner 50%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 80%)

    • Classic SLX sweep using push-pull mechanics to off-balance opponent

  • Technical Standup Sweep → Standing Position (Success Rate: Beginner 55%, Intermediate 70%, Advanced 85%)

    • Use SLX control to safely stand up while maintaining leg control

  • Waiter Sweep → Top Position (Success Rate: Beginner 45%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 75%)

    • Variation using underhook and leg elevation

Guard Transitions

Advanced Attacks

Defensive Responses

When opponent has this position against you (top player perspective):

Decision Tree

If opponent has high posture and good balance:

Else if opponent attempts to extract leg:

Else if opponent steps back to create distance:

Else (opponent remains engaged in range):

Expert Insights

John Danaher: “Single Leg X Guard represents one of the most mechanically sound guard positions in BJJ because it creates a true mechanical advantage - two legs controlling one leg. The key to understanding SLX is recognizing that it’s fundamentally an off-balancing position, not a static holding position. Your legs must work in opposition: the inside leg pulls while the outside leg pushes, creating a rotational force that breaks the opponent’s balance. The moment you achieve this position, you should immediately be working to sweep or transition. Static SLX is vulnerable SLX.”

Gordon Ryan: “I use Single Leg X extensively in competition because it’s nearly grip-independent, making it perfect for no-gi. The position also serves as a gateway to my entire leg lock game - from here I can transition to Ashi Garami, 50/50, or back control depending on how the opponent defends. The key is being aggressive with the off-balancing - I’m constantly elevating their leg and pushing their hips to keep them defensive. When they’re worried about being swept, that’s when I attack their trapped leg or transition to my preferred positions.”

Eddie Bravo: “Single Leg X is a fundamental position in the 10th Planet system because it works perfectly in no-gi and integrates with our leg lock game. We emphasize the technical standup from SLX as one of the highest percentage sweeps in our curriculum. The beauty of this position is that it’s relatively safe while offering multiple attacking options. We drill SLX entries from everywhere - butterfly guard, standing guard, even as a recovery from failed takedowns. It’s become essential in modern no-gi competition.”

Common Errors

Error: Keeping hips too far from the opponent’s trapped leg

  • Consequence: Distance weakens your control and reduces the mechanical advantage of the X-frame, allowing opponent to maintain balance and easily extract their leg or establish passing position
  • Correction: Keep your hips close and connected to the trapped leg. Your inside leg’s knee should be tight to their leg, and your hips should follow their leg as they move
  • Recognition: If opponent easily maintains balance or extracts their leg without significant effort, your hips are likely too distant

Error: Static leg configuration without active off-balancing

  • Consequence: SLX becomes a holding position rather than an attacking position - opponent can gradually work their defenses and passing sequences without immediate threat
  • Correction: Constantly elevate the trapped leg with your inside hook while pushing their far hip with your outside foot. Create continuous off-balancing motion
  • Recognition: If opponent appears comfortable and stable in your SLX, you’re not creating sufficient off-balancing pressure

Error: Weak outside leg push on far hip

  • Consequence: Without strong outward pressure on the far hip, the push-pull dynamic is compromised, reducing sweeping power and allowing opponent to establish stable base
  • Correction: Actively extend your outside leg to create strong pushing pressure on opponent’s far hip or thigh. This push is what creates the rotational off-balance
  • Recognition: Difficulty sweeping despite good inside leg position indicates insufficient outside leg pressure

Error: Neglecting upper body control and grips

  • Consequence: Legs alone provide off-balancing but upper body control is necessary to direct the sweep and prevent opponent from posting or escaping
  • Correction: Use hands to control the trapped leg, ankle, or heel. Upper body control completes the sweeping system
  • Recognition: Opponent successfully posts their hands or escapes despite good leg position indicates missing upper body control

Error: Staying in SLX too long without transitioning

  • Consequence: SLX is inherently transitional - staying too long allows opponent to develop counters and escape routes. The position’s power is in its dynamic application
  • Correction: Use SLX as an entry point to sweeps, leg locks, X-Guard, or technical standups. Maximum time in position should be 5-10 seconds before committing to an action
  • Recognition: Finding yourself stuck in SLX without clear offensive path indicates you’re being too passive

Training Drills

Drill 1: SLX Entry and Sweep Combinations

Partner stands in front of your open guard. Practice entering SLX from various positions (butterfly, seated guard, failed takedown) and immediately executing a sweep. Partner provides progressive resistance from 25% to 75%. Focus on seamless entry to sweep transition with emphasis on off-balancing mechanics. 10 repetitions per entry variation, 3 sets. This drill develops the fundamental entry and sweeping mechanics.

Drill 2: SLX Balance Breaking

Starting in established SLX position, partner attempts to maintain balance while you work constant off-balancing pressure using push-pull dynamics. Partner is not allowed to post hands for first minute, then adds hand posts for second minute. Focus on the coordination of inside leg pull and outside leg push to break balance. 2-minute rounds, 5 repetitions. Develops the feeling of proper off-balancing mechanics.

Drill 3: SLX to Multiple Positions Flow

Partner provides 50% resistance as you flow: SLX → sweep → reset → SLX → X-Guard → reset → SLX → Ashi Garami → reset → SLX → technical standup. The goal is smooth transitions and maintaining control throughout transitions. 5-minute continuous flow, switching roles every minute. This drill builds the transitional understanding of SLX as a hub position.

Optimal Submission Paths

Fastest path to submission (direct attack): Single Leg X Guard Bottom → Ashi Garami Entry → Inside Heel Hook → Won by Submission Reasoning: Direct leg lock path when opponent’s leg is isolated

High-percentage path (systematic): Single Leg X Guard Bottom → Single Leg X Sweep → Top Position → Mount → Armbar → Won by Submission Reasoning: Reliable sweep to dominant position with submission opportunities

Alternative submission path (back attack): Single Leg X Guard Bottom → Back Take from SLX → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission Reasoning: Back take opportunity when opponent attempts leg extraction

Graph View

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