BJJ Graph

Single Leg X-Guard

Dec 09, 20259 min read

Single Leg X-Guard (SLX) is a specialized open guard variation where the bottom player entangles one of the opponent’s legs using a specific hooking configuration. The bottom player wraps one leg around the opponent’s trapped leg (typically at the ankle or lower calf) while the other foot creates an active hook on the opponent’s hip or inner thigh. This configuration creates exceptional control over the opponent’s balance and base, offering powerful sweeping leverage and direct pathways to modern leg lock positions. SLX serves as both a high-percentage sweeping platform and a critical gateway position in the contemporary leg entanglement game, bridging traditional guard play with submission-oriented leg locking systems. The position’s effectiveness stems from its ability to control the opponent’s weight distribution while maintaining active offensive threats. By elevating and off-balancing the opponent, the bottom player can create sweep opportunities in multiple directions or transition seamlessly into more complex leg entanglements. The versatility of SLX makes it particularly valuable in no-gi competition, where it serves as a foundational element of modern guard retention and attack systems. The modern game has evolved significantly in how both players approach this position, with systematic methods emerging from competitors who have refined the position for maximum effectiveness. Understanding both perspectives—bottom and top—is essential for complete mastery of this critical modern BJJ position.

Key Principles

  • Maintain constant elevation of opponent’s trapped leg to prevent them from establishing heavy pressure or stable base

  • Use active foot positioning with hooks that constantly adjust to opponent’s weight shifts and balance changes

  • Control opponent’s ankle and knee simultaneously using leg wrap to limit their mobility and escape options

  • Create off-balancing angles by directing force away from opponent’s remaining base point

  • Position hips strategically relative to opponent’s center of gravity to maximize leverage for attacks

  • Maintain readiness to transition between upper body attacks and lower body attacks based on opponent’s reactions

  • Prevent opponent from establishing forward pressure by keeping their weight elevated and distributed over unstable points

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeOffensiveDefensive with offensive options
Risk LevelMediumMedium
Energy CostMediumMedium
TimeMediumMedium

Key Difference: Leg isolation creates sweep-submission duality

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain constant elevation of opponent’s trapped leg to prevent them from establishing heavy pressure or stable base

  • Use active foot positioning with hooks that constantly adjust to opponent’s weight shifts and balance changes

  • Control opponent’s ankle and knee simultaneously using your leg wrap to limit their mobility and escape options

  • Create off-balancing angles by directing force away from opponent’s remaining base point

  • Position your hips underneath opponent’s center of gravity to maximize sweeping leverage

  • Maintain readiness to transition between upper body attacks (sweeps) and lower body attacks (leg locks) based on opponent’s reactions

  • Prevent opponent from establishing forward pressure by keeping their weight elevated and distributed over your hooks

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Passive foot positioning with static hooks that don’t adjust to opponent’s movement

    • Consequence: Opponent easily clears hooks and passes guard, establishing dominant position without facing meaningful resistance
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain active, dynamic hooks that constantly reposition based on opponent’s weight shifts and balance changes, using foot pressure to redirect their movement

  • ❌ Failing to elevate opponent’s trapped leg, allowing them to flatten hips and establish downward pressure

    • Consequence: Opponent establishes stable base with heavy pressure, neutralizing sweeping threats and creating passing opportunities
    • ✅ Correction: Keep opponent’s trapped leg elevated throughout by extending hips upward and maintaining tension in leg wrap, preventing them from settling weight downward

  • ❌ Inadequate ankle control with loose leg wrap that allows opponent’s leg to rotate or escape

    • Consequence: Opponent extracts their trapped leg easily, passing guard or establishing superior position without difficulty
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain tight control at opponent’s ankle and calf using inside leg, keeping constant tension that prevents rotation or extraction of trapped leg

  • ❌ Poor hip positioning with hips too far away from opponent’s center of gravity

    • Consequence: Loss of sweeping leverage and inability to off-balance opponent effectively, resulting in stalled position or successful opponent disengagement
    • ✅ Correction: Position hips directly underneath opponent’s center of mass with active elevation, maximizing leverage for sweeps and maintaining control over their balance

  • ❌ Telegraphing leg lock entries with obvious grip changes or body repositioning

    • Consequence: Opponent recognizes leg attack intentions early and defends effectively, often countering with passing sequences that establish dominant control
    • ✅ Correction: Disguise transitions to leg entanglements by maintaining consistent grip patterns and body positioning until final commitment, using sweeping threats to mask leg attack setups

  • ❌ Neglecting upper body control while focusing exclusively on leg configurations

    • Consequence: Opponent uses free upper body to establish grips, frames, or passing grips that neutralize lower body control
    • ✅ Correction: Coordinate upper body controls (sleeve grips, collar ties, or underhooks) with leg positioning to create comprehensive control system

  • ❌ Remaining static in position without creating constant off-balancing movements

    • Consequence: Opponent adjusts their base and posture to neutralize threats, establishing defensive stability that prevents successful attacks
    • ✅ Correction: Continuously shift angles and elevation to keep opponent’s balance compromised, never allowing them to settle into stable defensive posture

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain wide base with free leg positioned to prevent sweeps and maintain balance against directional pulls

  • Control opponent’s upper body through collar ties, cross faces, or shoulder pressure to limit their ability to sit up and create angles

  • Keep trapped leg’s knee aligned toward opponent to prevent full extension and reduce leverage for sweeps

  • Distribute weight strategically—too much forward pressure allows technical standup, too little allows full extension sweeps

  • Prioritize grip fighting to prevent opponent from securing strong sleeve or collar controls that enhance their sweeping power

  • Systematically address the bottom hook first as it represents the primary sweeping threat and base control

  • Maintain hip mobility to follow opponent’s movements and prevent them from generating momentum for directional sweeps

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Standing fully upright with narrow base while trapped leg remains extended

    • Consequence: Creates optimal sweeping angle for opponent and reduces ability to base out when swept
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain wide base with free leg positioned diagonally, keep knees bent to lower center of gravity, and align trapped knee toward opponent

  • ❌ Putting all weight forward onto opponent without controlling upper body

    • Consequence: Allows opponent to technical standup or create space for guard recovery while providing no passing progress
    • ✅ Correction: Balance pressure application with upper body control through collar ties or cross face, maintaining ability to react to opponent’s movements

  • ❌ Ignoring grip fighting and allowing opponent to secure strong sleeve controls

    • Consequence: Opponent gains ability to control posture, prevent pressure application, and enhance sweeping mechanics significantly
    • ✅ Correction: Actively strip grips, maintain hands in defensive positions, and prioritize breaking sleeve grips before advancing position

  • ❌ Attempting to forcefully rip trapped leg free without addressing hooks systematically

    • Consequence: Wastes energy, often results in opponent tightening position, and may lead directly into sweep or submission
    • ✅ Correction: Systematically address bottom hook first through proper angle creation and pressure, then work to clear top hook before extracting leg

  • ❌ Remaining static in response to opponent’s leg configuration adjustments

    • Consequence: Allows opponent to optimize their position, find ideal sweeping angles, and potentially transition to stronger positions
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant hip mobility, follow opponent’s movements with proper base adjustments, and proactively disrupt their positional optimization

  • ❌ Failing to recognize transition opportunities to leg attacks when opponent overextends

    • Consequence: Misses high-percentage finishing opportunities and allows opponent to reset guard structure without consequence
    • ✅ Correction: Develop awareness of kneebar and ankle lock opportunities when opponent extends legs for sweeps, maintain readiness to capitalize on overextension

  • X-Guard - Parent position - SLX is a variation that controls one leg while X-Guard controls both

  • Ashi Garami - Primary transition target for leg lock entries from SLX

  • Outside Ashi-Garami - Direct leg entanglement entry from SLX with leg isolation

  • Inside Ashi-Garami - Alternative leg entanglement configuration accessible from SLX

  • Butterfly Guard - Related open guard position that shares similar sweeping mechanics

  • De La Riva Guard - Common entry position into SLX using similar leg hooking concepts

  • Reverse De La Riva Guard - Alternative entry position with similar leg control principles

  • Deep Half Guard - Related guard position with similar off-balancing mechanics

  • Saddle - Advanced leg entanglement accessible through SLX transitions

  • 50-50 Guard - Related leg entanglement position with different control dynamics