X-Pass

Pass
Also known as:
X Pass

The X-Pass is a standing guard pass where the practitioner pins one of the opponent's legs to the mat while stepping laterally across to the opposite side, creating an X-shaped crossing pattern over the legs. It is highly effective against open guards where the opponent's feet are disengaged or can be stripped, and works in both gi and no-gi.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · Pin one leg to the mat with both hands while keeping your hips low and driving forward pressure to flatten the opponent's hip on that side.
  • · Step laterally to the opposite side of the pinned leg, crossing over to deny the opponent's ability to re-guard with hip movement.
  • · Maintain chest-forward posture and avoid bending at the waist to prevent being pulled back into guard.
  • · Anticipate the opponent framing or hip-escaping by immediately securing crossface or underhook as you complete the pass.
  • · Speed and commitment are essential—hesitation allows the bottom player to re-establish hooks or grips.

Execution

  1. 1 From a standing or crouched position in open guard, strip or control the opponent's feet off your hips and grip one leg at the ankle or pants near the knee.
  2. 2 Push the controlled leg down to the mat toward the opponent's opposite hip, pinning it with downward pressure while shifting your weight forward.
  3. 3 Take a large lateral step with your far-side leg to the opposite side of the pinned leg, clearing your hips past the opponent's knees.
  4. 4 As you clear the legs, drop your shoulder into crossface position, sprawling your hips to flatten the opponent and prevent them from turning into you.
  5. 5 Secure side control or continue advancing directly to mount by sliding your knee over the opponent's torso.

Common mistakes

  • × Failing to pin the leg firmly to the mat, allowing the opponent to re-insert a hook or recover De La Riva guard before you clear.
  • × Stepping laterally without driving forward pressure, leaving too much space and letting the opponent hip-escape and re-guard.
  • × Neglecting to establish crossface or upper body control immediately after clearing the legs, resulting in the opponent turning to knees or recovering half guard.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the X-Pass shows up.

De La Riva Guard Top Double Sleeve Guard Feet On Hips Guard Open Guard Top Reverse De La Riva Guard Top Shin-to-shin Guard Top Spider Guard Top Standing Guard

Where it lands

The position you end up in.

Mount Top