Unlock Your Guard Game with These 5 X-Guard Types
In the dynamic world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), grappling, MMA, and even wrestling, a strong bottom game is your ticket to survival and submission success. One of the most versatile and powerful positions from the bottom is the X-Guard. Popularized by masters like Marcelo Garcia and Roberto "Gigi" Paez, the X-Guard lets you control your opponent's posture, off-balance them, and launch sweeps or transitions to attacks.
Stephan Kesting, the renowned Grapplearts instructor and black belt wizard, breaks down five key variations of the X-Guard in a must-watch analysis. Whether you're a white belt building fundamentals or a brown belt refining your arsenal, these setups will transform how you play guard. We'll dive deep into each type, covering entries, grips, advantages, and real-world applications across combat sports. Plus, we'll tie in tips on gear like gis and rash guards to keep you training comfortably at Apollo MMA.
What Makes X-Guard So Powerful?
Before jumping into the variations, let's set the foundation. The classic X-Guard hooks one of your opponent's legs between your own, creating an 'X' shape with your legs. Your far leg goes over their thigh, while the near leg cups under their calf or hamstring. This disrupts their base, making standing passes nearly impossible and setting up sweeps like the basic X-sweep or berimbolo spins.
Beginner Tip: Start drilling entries from butterfly guard or open guard. Grip their pants at the knee and ankle, then shrimp your hips to thread the leg. Use a quality BJJ gi from brands like Fuji or Tatami (available at your preferred MMA retailer) for better sleeve and pant control—crucial for these grips.
For MMA fighters, X-Guard shines in no-gi with wrestling shoes or grips on shorts, blending seamlessly into takedown defense or stand-up transitions. Kickboxers and Muay Thai practitioners can adapt it for clinch work against leg kicks.
Now, let's explore Kesting's five types, progressing from basic to advanced.
1. Standard X-Guard: The Reliable Foundation
The bread-and-butter version everyone learns first. Your outside leg crosses over their trapped leg's thigh, inside leg hooks the calf from below. Key grips: sleeve on the far arm and pant cuff on the free leg.
Pros:
- Excellent posture control—pull their arm across to break stance.
- Easy sweeps: Lift the free leg and roll them over your shoulder.
- Transitions to back takes or leg entanglements.
Cons: Predictable if overused; opponents learn to counter by basing down.
Practical Drill: From kneeling, enter by elevating hips and inserting legs. Practice against a standing partner. In MMA, use it post-takedown attempt to reverse positions.
Gear Note: No-gi fighters, grab Sanabul or RDX shorts for secure grips—slippery fabrics kill control.
2. Reverse X-Guard: Flip the Script for Aggression
A game-changer for proactive guard players. Instead of the standard over-under hook, your legs invert: outside leg under their thigh, inside leg over the top. This orients you facing away, ideal for back attacks.
Entry: From standard X, switch hooks or enter directly from shin-on-shin.
Advantages:
- Hidden back exposure for rear-naked chokes.
- Strong against pressure passers—use your hips to spin under them.
- Sets up rolling armbars or leg locks.
Challenges: Riskier on the hips; requires hip mobility.
Real-World Application: BJJ competitors love this for berimbolo entries. Wrestlers adapt it for ankle picks. In MMA, chain it with knee shields against ground-and-pound.
Pro Tip: Wear a Hyperfly rash guard to prevent gi burns during spins—long sessions demand skin protection.
3. Julio Cesar X-Guard: The Sweep Machine
Named after the legendary Julio Cesar Pereira, this twist emphasizes deep leg penetration. Your inside leg goes extra deep under their hip, almost to the knee, while the outside leg stays high on the thigh.
Grips: Cross-grip their belt or pants high, plus sleeve control.
Why It Rocks:
- Massive sweeping power—opponents topple like dominoes.
- Controls both legs for stacked passes.
- Fluid to S-mount or technical stand-up.
Drawbacks: Demands precise distance; too shallow and it fails.
Training Example: Drill against resistant partners. Start slow: 5 reps per side. For boxing/Muay Thai crossovers, it counters sprawls beautifully.
Apollo MMA Essential: Invest in Venum shin guards for stand-up sparring drills leading into this guard.
4. Lapel X-Guard: Gi Grappling Gold
Exclusively for gi players, this feeds the opponent's lapel into your setup for extra control. Thread their own sleeve lapel around your leg, pinning their thigh down while your other leg crosses over.
Setup: Ball up the lapel, wrap it over your shin, and cinch tight.
Benefits:
- Unbreakable control—lapel acts like a rope.
- Enables collar chokes or arm drags.
- Devastating sweeps from weird angles.
Limitations: No-gi equivalent is tough; gi-only.
Advanced Progression: Combine with worm guard for De La Riva hybrids. Perfect for competition prep in IBJJF or ADCC rulesets.
Gear Recommendation: Origin or Shoyoroll gis provide the perfect lapel length and durability—grab one from Apollo MMA to master this.
5. One-Leg X-Guard: The Modern Leg Lock Gateway
A no-gi favorite evolving into gi too. Target one leg deeply: outside leg over their knee, inside leg threading far behind to isolate the heel or calf.
Key Detail: Elevate your hips high for ankle control.
Strengths:
- Direct path to ashi garami and heel hooks.
- Disrupts single-leg takedowns.
- Transitions to 50/50 or Z-guard.
Risks: Leg lock danger—tap early in training!
Applications Across Sports: MMA fighters use it against sprawls; wrestlers for chain wrestling. Kickboxing? Anti-leg kick insurance.
Safety First: Use Meister or Rival mouthguards and headgear in live rolls.
Putting It All Together: Training Roadmap
To integrate these:
1. Week 1-2 (Beginner): Drill standard and reverse X entries 10x/side daily.
2. Week 3-4 (Intermediate): Add sweeps and transitions; spar from X positions.
3. Advanced: Positional sparring—start in X, pass or sweep wins.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Flat hips = no power.
- Loose grips = easy passes.
- Forgetting posture breaks.
Film your rolls and compare to Kesting's demos. For endurance, layer in cardio gear like Everlast jump ropes.
Why X-Guard Wins in MMA and Beyond
In UFC or ONE Championship, X-Guard users like Garry Tonon dominate scrambles. Boxers transitioning to MMA? It neutralizes wrestling pressure. Muay Thai clinch experts find sweeps galore.
Elevate your game—drill these variations relentlessly. Head to Apollo MMA for top-tier gis, no-gi shorts, and mats to build your home gym.
Ready to X-plode your opponents? Start today!
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