Atlas/Guard/X-Guard
Guard position·straight ankle lock (near-side foot right at hand level), kneebar (transition by extending trapped leg over hips), heel hook (rotate into ashi garami entries)
X Guard

X-Guard

Crossed leg hooks - explosive sweeps

Dominance
68
vs 32
Control depth
Proximal
Guarding
Transitions
20
outbound
Submissions
20
downstream
//01—About this position

What it is

Bottom position where one leg hooks behind their knee while the other contacts their hip, forming an X-shape. The crossed leg configuration creates leverage for explosive sweeps using their hip as a fulcrum. Common entry points from butterfly guard, single leg X, or after scrambles.

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
68 vs 32
Disadvantaged↓ 36Dominant
Control depth · Proximal — Elevate and sweep from crossed leg hooks
Dominance — Passing perspective
32 vs 68
Disadvantaged↓ -36Dominant
Control depth · Distal — Wide base while clearing hook and hip pressure
//02—Concept tags
ATTACKSWEEP
//03—Transitions outbound

20 ways out.

All20transitionsin the App Store↗
X-Guard →
Arm Drag to Back
Over-under grip - upper body control from back
Type
Back take
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
Single Leg X to Ashi Garami
Basic leg isolation - straight ankle locks
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
X-Guard Sweep
Sitting on torso - heavy hips, dominant control
Type
Sweep
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
X-Guard to Inside Ashi Garami
Inside control - different angles for leg attacks
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
X-Guard to Outside Ashi Garami
Outside control - mobile position for leg attacks
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
X-Guard to Cross Ashi Garami
Crossed leg trap - better heel hook control
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
50/50 Entry
Symmetrical leg entanglement - equal attack potential
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
De La Riva Hook Entry
Shin hook behind leg - off-balance, sweeps, back takes
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
Reverse De La Riva Hook Entry
Reverse leg hook engaged - inverted angles, back access
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
Deep Half Guard Entry
Hip penetration beneath opponent - sweep leverage
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
Technical Stand Up
Equal standing - fight for grips
Type
Standup
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
X-Guard to Single Leg Control
One leg captured - finish the takedown
Type
Standup
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
93 Guard
Deep De La Riva hook plus inside shin wedge - berimbolo platform
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
Kneebar Control
Straight-legged knee isolation - hip-fulcrum control for kneebar attacks
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
False Reap
Legal reap shape - off-balancing, heel and back exposure
Type
Entanglement
Tier
Core
Perspective
Guarding
X-Guard →
X-Guard to Stack Pressure
Stacking weight on shoulders - compressed guard
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
X-Guard →
Double Underhooks
Both underhooks on legs - lift and stack control
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
X-Guard →
Leg Drag
Leg dragged across body - modern pass hub
Type
Advance
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
X-Guard →
93 Guard
Deep De La Riva hook plus inside shin wedge - berimbolo platform
Type
Position adjustment
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
X-Guard →
Kneebar Control
Straight-legged knee isolation - hip-fulcrum control for kneebar attacks
Type
Scramble
Tier
Core
Perspective
Passing
//04—Submissions downstream

20 finishes live
from this position.

All20submissionsin the App Store↗
SUB-001
Kneebar
Guarding
Live
8/10
SUB-002
Heel Hook
Guarding
Watch
7/10
SUB-003
Inside Heel Hook
Guarding
Watch
7/10
SUB-004
Saddle Heel Hook
Guarding
Watch
7/10
SUB-005
Straight Ankle Lock
Guarding
Watch
7/10
SUB-006
Outside Heel Hook
Guarding
Watch
6/10
SUB-007
Toe Hold
Guarding
Watch
6/10
SUB-008
Inverted Heel Hook
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-009
Rolling Kneebar
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-010
Mikey Lock
Guarding
Long
5/10
SUB-011
Aoki Lock
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-012
Prone Ankle Lock
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-013
Calf Slicer
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-014
Estima Lock
Guarding
Long
4/10
SUB-015
Armbar
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-016
Calf Compression
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-017
Calf Crank
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-018
Calf Crusher
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-019
Reverse Calf Slicer
Guarding
Long
3/10
SUB-020
Triangle Choke
Guarding
Long
2/10
//05—Linked positions

Browse the graph.

Control82
Back Control
Over-under grip - upper body control from back
7 ↗ transitionsControlling
Entanglement62
Ashi Garami
Basic leg isolation - straight ankle locks
11 ↗ transitionsEntangling
Control85
Mount
Sitting on torso - heavy hips, dominant control
9 ↗ transitionsControlling
Entanglement60
Inside Ashi Garami
Inside control - different angles for leg attacks
7 ↗ transitionsEntangling
// X-Guard · Guard

Read this position
on your phone.

Open X-Guard in Grapla for the full detail block, all 20 outbound transitions, the counter graph, and the option to log this position straight to your journal.

Download on the
App Store