Single Leg X

Position
Also known as:
Single Leg X-Guard SLX

Single Leg X (SLX) is an open guard position where the bottom player controls one of the opponent's legs by hooking behind the knee with one leg and placing the other foot on the hip, while gripping the trapped ankle or foot. It is a highly offensive guard used to off-balance the top player, set up sweeps, and attack with leg locks.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · The inside hook behind the opponent's knee acts as the primary control point, preventing them from stepping away.
  • · The outside foot on the hip creates a frame that manages distance and generates off-balancing power.
  • · Controlling the trapped foot or ankle with both hands prevents the opponent from extracting their leg or stepping over.
  • · Hips must stay elevated and close to the opponent's trapped leg to maintain tight control and leverage.
  • · Anticipate the opponent trying to backstep or smash your legs flat—counter by angling your hips and re-engaging hooks immediately.

Execution

  1. 1 From a guard entry, thread your inside leg between the opponent's legs and hook behind their far knee with your calf or instep.
  2. 2 Place your outside foot firmly on the opponent's same-side hip, keeping your knee flared outward for framing power.
  3. 3 Grip the opponent's trapped ankle or foot tightly with both hands, pinching it to your chest.
  4. 4 Elevate your hips off the mat and angle slightly toward the trapped leg to maximize control and kuzushi.
  5. 5 From this position, initiate sweeps by extending your hip-foot or transition to leg attacks by adjusting your grip to the foot or heel.

Common mistakes

  • × Keeping hips flat on the mat instead of elevated, which sacrifices leverage and makes it easy for the top player to smash and pass.
  • × Failing to control the ankle tightly against the chest, allowing the opponent to simply pull their leg free and disengage.
  • × Placing the hook too shallow behind the knee so it slips off when the opponent pressures forward or attempts to backstep.

From the bottom

What the bottom grappler is working toward from Single Leg X.

SLX Sweep sweep SLX To Ashi Garami transition SLX To X-Guard transition Straight Ankle Lock submission
13 less common
Aoki Lock submission Heel Hook submission Kneebar From SLX submission Matrix SLX Back Take transition Single Leg X To 50-50 transition Toe Hold From SLX submission X-guard Sweep sweep Calf Slicer submission Estima Lock submission Guillotine Choke submission Kneebar submission Omoplata submission

On top

The top grappler's options against Single Leg X.

Leg Drag Pass pass SLX Pass pass SLX To Saddle transition

How you get here

Techniques that land in Single Leg X.

Collar Drag transition Shin-to-shin to SLX transition Single Leg X Entry transition Sitting Guard Pull takedown Spider Guard To SLX transition Standing To Single Leg X transition X-Guard To SLX transition

Chains & Sequences

Commonly taught paths through the graph that feature this technique.

Spider DLR to Ankle Lock

Spider Guard Single Leg X Straight Ankle Lock

Spider DLR Sickle Sweep to Ankle Lock

Spider Guard Single Leg X Straight Ankle Lock

SLX Waiter Sweep to Back

Single Leg X Bottom Waiter Sweep Back Control Top