SLX Pass

Pass

The SLX Pass is used to neutralize and pass the single leg X-guard (Ashi Garami/SLX) by addressing the inside hook and outside leg control, then clearing the legs to establish a dominant top position. It applies when the bottom player has established SLX with one foot on the hip and the other hooking behind the knee or thigh.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · Control the bottom player's outside foot on your hip first to prevent off-balancing sweeps.
  • · Heavy hip pressure downward pins the opponent's inside hook and limits their ability to reguard.
  • · Stripping the inside hook by driving your trapped knee to the mat removes their primary control point.
  • · Anticipate the opponent transitioning to full X-guard or standard leg entanglements by keeping your base wide and hips low.
  • · Maintain upper body connection (cross-face or underhook) immediately after clearing the legs to prevent re-establishment of guard.

Execution

  1. 1 From SLX top, grab and pin the foot that is on your hip with both hands, pressing it down toward the mat to neutralize sweep leverage.
  2. 2 Drop your hips heavy and drive your trapped knee toward the mat, shearing the inside hook off your leg while keeping your weight centered over the opponent.
  3. 3 Once the inside hook clears, immediately backstep or knee-slide your freed leg past their bottom leg, aiming to land in side control.
  4. 4 Establish a cross-face or underhook as you clear the legs, flattening the opponent and blocking any hip escape or knee-shield recovery.
  5. 5 Consolidate side control by settling your chest on their torso with your hips low and sprawled.

Common mistakes

  • × Standing upright without addressing the hip foot first, allowing the bottom player to off-balance and sweep you forward.
  • × Trying to step over the legs without stripping the inside hook, resulting in the opponent re-entering SLX or transitioning to X-guard.
  • × Neglecting upper body control after clearing the legs, giving the opponent space to re-guard or invert to leg entanglements.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the SLX Pass shows up.

Single Leg X Top

Where it lands

The position you end up in.

Side Control Top

Use it against

The SLX Pass is an answer to these.

Single Leg X Bottom