## X-Guard The X-Guard is a dynamic and versatile open guard position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that offers numerous sweep options. It's particularly effective against opponents standing or attempting to pass your guard. Here's a comprehensive guide to mastering the X-Guard: ### **Position: Open Guard** ### **Japanese Name: Xādo (エックスガード - if directly translated)** ### **X-Guard Setup:** 1. **Entry from Butterfly Guard** - Start in the butterfly guard with your opponent kneeling. - Secure double underhooks, pulling your opponent towards you. - Extend your legs and lift your hips slightly to create space. - Slide your left leg between their legs, hooking behind their far knee with your instep. - Your right leg wraps outside and behind their near leg, hooking inside of their calf with your instep. 2. **Entry from De La Riva Guard** - Begin in the De La Riva guard with your right foot hooking inside your opponent’s lead leg. - Control their nearest sleeve or collar for balance. - Scoot your hips underneath and elevate your opponent using your hooking leg. - Transition your left foot to hook behind their far knee, maintaining your right foot’s hook. ### **Basic X-Guard Maintenances** 1. **Upper Body Control** - Use your hands to grip either your opponent’s collar or pants to manage posture and balance. 2. **Foot and Leg Positioning** - Always ensure your feet are hooked correctly: one behind the far knee (left foot) and one wrapping outside behind the near leg (right foot). - Hips should be elevated but secure against their knee for leverage. ### **X-Guard Basic Sweep** 1. **Breaking Posture** - Pull your opponent forward with your upper body grips to disrupt their balance. 2. **Lift** - Push your opponent’s far leg upwards using your left leg to destabilize them. - Simultaneously, sweep your right leg under their base leg to trip them forward. 3. **Takedown** - As they begin to fall, utilize your grip to guide them to the mat and start transitioning to a dominant position like passing to side control or knee on belly. ### **Tips and Tricks** - Maintain both your opponent's weight and hips off the mat using your hooks and grips. - Drill on transitioning to X-Guard from various positions to become adaptable. - Train with different sized partners to recognize unique balance points. With these steps, you'll be well on your way to effectively adding the X-Guard to your BJJ arsenal. Remember, practice consistently and explore its variations for deeper understanding and efficiency.