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Single Leg X Guard: Complete BJJ Guide
Single leg X puts you underneath your opponent's base with very little effort. Here are the three control points and what to attack from there.
What Single Leg X Guard Is
Single leg X guard is an open guard. You sit under your opponent and trap one of their legs between yours. One of your feet hooks their hip. The other pinches their knee. From there, you control their base with very little effort.
Marcelo Garcia made this position famous. He used it constantly against much bigger opponents. The position works because you sit below their center of gravity. Height and strength stop mattering as much. Unlike 50/50 guard, where both of your legs mirror your opponent's, single leg X keeps your control points asymmetric, which is part of why the ankle-lock entries tend to come faster here.
The Three Points of Control
- Your outside foot hooks behind their hip.
- Your inside knee pinches their trapped leg.
- Your hands control their far ankle or sleeve.
Lose any one point, and they can step out. Keep all three, and their balance stays broken.
Common Entries
- From butterfly guard, when your opponent stands up to pass.
- From shin-to-shin, sliding under their base.
- From spider guard, switching grips as they circle.
What You Can Attack
The hip bump sweep works well from here. So does the straight ankle lock, since their trapped leg sits right in front of you. Beginners should start with the sweep. The ankle lock needs more control before it becomes safe to hunt.
Common Mistakes
- Letting your knees drift apart. Your opponent steps out immediately.
- Sitting too flat instead of staying on your side.
- Reaching for the ankle lock before your position is stable.
Our straight ankle lock guide covers the submission that pairs most naturally with this guard. For the position it evolved from, see our X-guard guide.
Tagged with:#single leg x#open guard#sweeps
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between single leg X and X-guard?
Single leg X uses a tighter, lower configuration with one hook on the hip and the knee pinched. X-guard crosses both of your legs under your opponent for more lifting power. Single leg X offers faster leg lock entries.
Is single leg X guard legal for white belts?
The guard position itself is legal at every belt level. The straight ankle lock from it is also white belt legal, but heel hooks from this position are not permitted under IBJJF rules for lower belts.
Does single leg X guard work in no-gi?
Yes, and it is one of the most common guards in no-gi grappling, since it needs only hooks and hand control rather than any fabric grips.
Why do I keep getting stepped out of single leg X?
Almost always one of the three control points is missing. Check that your outside foot is on the hip, your inside knee is pinching the trapped leg, and your hands still control the far ankle or sleeve.
Sources & Further Reading
About the Author
Mohsin AyubBJJ practitioner, 6 years — Gracie Barra
Founder & Editor, BJJ Sportswear
Mohsin has trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for six years at Gracie Barra and has competed at IBJJF-affiliated tournaments. He writes about competition, gear, and athlete careers, and founded BJJ Sportswear to help grapplers find equipment and information they can trust.
- Six years training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra
- Competed at IBJJF-affiliated tournaments
- Writes on BJJ competition, gear testing, and athlete careers
This article was last reviewed and updated on 2026-08-01.