Atlas/Guard/Cross-Saddle
Guard position·inside heel hook (primary high-percentage finisher), kneebar (secondary attack from same entanglement), toe hold (tertiary option)
Cross Saddle Position
Saddle Cross
Cross-Body Saddle

Cross-Saddle

Crossed leg entanglement - hip control, heel hook angles

Dominance
78
vs 22
Control depth
Proximal
Guarding
Transitions
15
outbound
Submissions
20
downstream
//01—About this position

What it is

Leg entanglement where the attacker crosses their body over the defender's trapped leg while controlling the far leg. The crossed configuration controls hip movement and creates strong angles for heel hooks. Bridges outside ashi and inside ashi positions in modern leg attack systems.

What you do

The step-by-step execution guide lives in the app — 6-step breakdown, biomechanics, and situational tips.

Open1position detailin the App Store↗
Dominance — Guarding perspective
78 vs 22
Disadvantaged↓ 56Dominant
Control depth · Proximal — Attack with crossed entanglement and heel hooks
Dominance — Passing perspective
22 vs 78
Disadvantaged↓ -56Dominant
Control depth · Distal — Defend leg and escape crossed entanglement urgently
//02—Concept tags
ENTANGLEMENTBRIDGELEVERAGEHUB
//03—Transitions outbound

15 ways out.

All15transitionsin the App Store↗
Cross-Saddle →
Ashi to Cross Ashi
Crossed leg trap - better heel hook control
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Cross-Saddle →
Cross-Saddle to Ashi Garami
Basic leg isolation - straight ankle locks
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Cross-Saddle →
50/50 Entry
Symmetrical leg entanglement - equal attack potential
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Cross-Saddle →
Cross-Saddle to Outside Ashi Garami
Outside control - mobile position for leg attacks
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Cross-Saddle →
Cross-Saddle to Inside Ashi Garami
Inside control - different angles for leg attacks
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Cross-Saddle →
Reverse Ashi Entry
Outside leg position - different submission angles
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Cross-Saddle →
Outside Sankaku Entry
Triangle on leg - heel hooks and knee bars
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Cross-Saddle →
Double Outside Ashi Entry
Both legs controlled - strong entanglement position
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Cross-Saddle →
Cross-Saddle to Reverse Outside Ashi
Reversed orientation - different submission mechanics
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Cross-Saddle →
Single Leg X Entry
One leg hooked, one elevating - sweep angles
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Cross-Saddle →
X-Guard Entry
Crossed leg hooks - explosive sweeps
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Cross-Saddle →
De La Riva Hook Entry
Shin hook behind leg - off-balance, sweeps, back takes
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Cross-Saddle →
Reverse De La Riva Hook Entry
Reverse leg hook engaged - inverted angles, back access
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Cross-Saddle →
Reap Clamp
Reap with clamp pressure
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
Cross-Saddle →
Combat Base
One knee up, one down - stable passing platform
Type
Escape
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
//04—Submissions downstream

20 finishes live
from this position.

All20submissionsin the App Store↗
SUB-001
Inside Heel Hook
Guarding
Live
10/10
SUB-002
Heel Hook
Guarding
Live
9/10
SUB-003
Saddle Heel Hook
Guarding
Live
9/10
SUB-004
Kneebar
Guarding
Live
8/10
SUB-005
Outside Heel Hook
Guarding
Live
8/10
SUB-006
Inverted Heel Hook
Guarding
Watch
7/10
SUB-007
Straight Ankle Lock
Guarding
Watch
7/10
SUB-008
Toe Hold
Guarding
Watch
7/10
SUB-009
Inverted Toe Hold
Guarding
Watch
7/10
SUB-010
Mikey Lock
Guarding
Watch
7/10
SUB-011
Calf Slicer
Guarding
Watch
6/10
SUB-012
Aoki Lock
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-013
Prone Ankle Lock
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-014
Calf Compression
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-015
Calf Crusher
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-016
Estima Lock
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-017
Z-Lock
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-018
Calf Crank
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-019
Reverse Calf Slicer
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-020
Hip Slicer
Guarding
Long
3/10
//05—Linked positions

Browse the graph.

Entanglement64
Cross Ashi Garami
Crossed leg trap - better heel hook control
9 ↗ transitionsEntangling
Entanglement62
Ashi Garami
Basic leg isolation - straight ankle locks
11 ↗ transitionsEntangling
Entanglement65
50/50 Guard
Symmetrical leg entanglement - equal attack potential
11 ↗ transitionsEntangling
Entanglement62
Outside Ashi Garami
Outside control - mobile position for leg attacks
7 ↗ transitionsEntangling
// Cross-Saddle · Guard

Read this position
on your phone.

Open Cross-Saddle in Grapla for the full detail block, all 15 outbound transitions, the counter graph, and the option to log this position straight to your journal.

Download on the
App Store