X-Guard Top represents the top player’s position when facing an opponent in X-Guard, where the bottom player has established an inverted configuration with one leg hooking behind the knee and the other controlling the hip or torso. This is fundamentally a guard passing scenario where the top player must navigate the opponent’s leverage-based control system. The primary challenge lies in maintaining balance and posture while systematically dismantling the bottom player’s structural controls. From the top position, success depends on understanding the mechanical disadvantages inherent to X-Guard - particularly the bottom player’s vulnerability to forward pressure and their reliance on specific grips and hooks for positional maintenance. The top player enjoys significant advantages including gravity, the ability to generate downward pressure, and multiple passing pathways that exploit the inverted nature of the guard. Strategic options include direct pressure passing, leg entanglement counters, and explosive movements that overwhelm the bottom player’s reactive capabilities. This position is critical in modern BJJ competition, as X-Guard has become a fundamental component of many guard systems. Proficiency in dealing with X-Guard from the top perspective is essential for any serious competitor, particularly in no-gi contexts where the position appears frequently.
Position Definition
- Top player maintains upright or forward-leaning posture with base on at least one leg
- Bottom player has established X-Guard structure with one leg hooking behind top player’s knee
- Top player’s hips positioned above opponent’s center of gravity creating downward pressure potential
- Top player maintains balance through strategic weight distribution and grip fighting
- One or both of top player’s legs remains potentially entangled requiring careful extraction
Prerequisites
- Opponent has successfully established X-Guard bottom position with hook behind knee
- Top player has maintained standing or combat base posture rather than being swept
- Bottom player has inverted their body underneath top player’s base
- Top player has at least one leg still weighted and providing base
- Grips have been established or are being contested between both players
Key Offensive Principles
- Maintain forward pressure and low center of gravity to prevent opponent from creating elevation
- Control distance by managing opponent’s sleeve grips and preventing arm extension
- Keep weight distributed strategically to prevent being swept while maintaining mobility
- Attack the bottom player’s structural controls systematically - removing hooks before advancing
- Use crossface and shoulder pressure when possible to flatten opponent and reduce mobility
- Recognize leg entanglement opportunities as opponent’s legs are already engaged
- Maintain calm patience while systematically dismantling the guard
Available Attacks
Smash Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Knee Slice Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Long Step Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Saddle Entry from Top → Honey Hole
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 60%
Outside Ashi Entry → Outside Ashi-Garami
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Leg Weave Pass → Headquarters Position
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Stack Pass → Side Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Back Step → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent has strong far leg hook behind knee and is creating elevation with near leg:
- Execute Smash Pass → Side Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Knee Slice Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
If opponent attempts to invert deeper or transition to leg entanglement position:
- Execute Saddle Entry from Top → Honey Hole (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Outside Ashi Entry → Outside Ashi-Garami (Probability: 50%)
If opponent’s hooks are shallow or grips are weak due to fatigue or poor positioning:
- Execute Long Step Pass → Side Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Leg Weave Pass → Headquarters Position (Probability: 60%)
If opponent commits heavily to one side during sweep attempt exposing their back:
- Execute Back Step → Back Control (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Stack Pass → Side Control (Probability: 55%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Leg entanglement finish path
X-Guard Top → Saddle Entry from Top → Honey Hole → Heel Hook
Smash pass to submission path
X-Guard Top → Smash Pass → Side Control → Kimura from Side Control
Back attack path
X-Guard Top → Back Step → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Outside ashi finish path
X-Guard Top → Outside Ashi Entry → Outside Ashi-Garami → Straight Ankle Lock
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 50% | 45% | 20% |
| Intermediate | 65% | 60% | 35% |
| Advanced | 80% | 75% | 50% |
Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds depending on skill differential and grip fighting success
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
X-Guard top position represents a fascinating study in leverage mechanics and systematic dismantling of opponent structure. The bottom player’s inverted configuration creates specific mechanical disadvantages that the educated top player can exploit ruthlessly. The primary weakness lies in their reliance on the far leg hook - once this critical connection is severed or compromised, the entire position collapses. Your strategic focus should be threefold: first, establish dominant grips that prevent opponent extension and distance manipulation; second, apply forward pressure that compromises their ability to generate elevation; third, systematically remove the far hook through crossface pressure, knee extraction, or leg weaving. The beautiful aspect of this position is that opponent attempts to strengthen their position often expose them to leg entanglement attacks - particularly when they invert deeper seeking ashi garami positions. A competent top player should view X-Guard not as a threatening position to escape from, but rather as an opportunity to demonstrate superior understanding of positional mechanics and transition to dominant positions or leg attack systems.
Gordon Ryan
When I’m in X-Guard top, I’m hunting for the pass but I’m also extremely aware of the leg attack opportunities. Most competitors make the mistake of only thinking about passing - they miss that X-Guard bottom is actually a terrible position for the bottom guy if you understand leg locks. The moment they start inverting or trying to transition to their leg attack systems, that’s when you counter and enter your own leg entanglement. I’ve finished countless matches from saddle entries against opponents who thought they were attacking from X-Guard. The key is pressure - constant, heavy forward pressure that makes them uncomfortable and forces mistakes. Don’t let them play their game at their pace. Strip their grips, smash through their structure, and if they give you the saddle entry, take it immediately. In competition, I probably finish more matches from leg locks off of X-Guard counters than I do from passing to traditional positions. The position has become so popular that being elite at dealing with it from top is absolutely mandatory for high-level no-gi competition.
Eddie Bravo
X-Guard top is where you need to be ready for anything because the bottom guy can transition fast if you’re not paying attention. At 10th Planet, we teach guys to recognize when the opponent is setting up their transitions and beat them to the punch. If they’re going inverted trying to get to ashi or saddle, you should be entering your leg attack before they complete theirs - it’s all about timing and recognition. The grip fighting is crucial here - you cannot let them control your sleeves and manipulate your posture. Once they have those grips, they can create angles and sweeps all day. I like the crossface smash pass from here because it takes away their mobility and forces them flat, which kills the X-Guard structure completely. But you’ve got to be fluid - if the smash isn’t there, maybe you step over and take the back, or you weave through and establish headquarters. The worst thing you can do is be static and predictable. Keep them guessing, keep the pressure on, and don’t be afraid to abandon one pass and switch to another if they’re defending well. X-Guard is beatable if you stay mobile and aggressive.