What Is The X-Guard In BJJ?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a ground-based combating model that has quickly advanced over the previous a long time. As Jiu-Jitsu has grown, so have its positions and strategies, every bringing a novel set of benefits to the desk. Among the many varied guard variations which have emerged, the X-guard stands as a bridge between the old-fashioned and the brand new guard. Immediately, we’ll go over the fundamentals of this timeless guard place. 

Defining The X-Guard

The X-guard is an open-guard variant popularized by the legendary Marcelo Garcia within the 2000s. It’s a sort of open guard that depends on off-balancing the opponent to create conditions to brush or wrestle up. The important thing to a profitable X-guard is to position your self immediately beneath the opponent’s heart of gravity, configuring your legs to the form of an “X”, thus limiting your opponent’s defensive actions. We’ll dive deeper into the mechanics and strategies as we go alongside. 

Beginnings And Evolution

The X-guard’s origins are ambiguous at greatest, with a number of tales popping up every now and then. The place, nonetheless, gained distinction within the early 2000s, with world-class rivals, such because the aforementioned Marcelo Garcia, showcasing its effectiveness in varied competitions. Since then, it has grow to be a staple within the arsenal of many Jiu-Jitsu athletes, from amateurs to world champions. 

Advantages Of Utilizing The X-Guard

The principle good thing about the X-guard lies in its capability to off-balance (Kuzushi) and management the opponent if you are supine. With the legs forming an “X” beneath the opponent, you may simply disrupt their base, making it tough for them to take care of stability. This inherent instability offers quite a few alternatives to execute sweeps and transition to dominant positions.

Additionally, the X-guard’s “sticky” nature makes it tough for the opponent on high to maneuver to an offensive cycle. They can not simply transfer with out pondering, or else they’ll fall down immediately. For so long as the opponent is caught inside your X-guard, it’s secure to say that you’ve the higher hand, at the least when it comes to protecting your self secure and getting extra alternatives to assault. 

Sorts Of X-Guards

Earlier than we transfer to the precise approach, it’s important to notice that there are numerous sorts of X-guards in BJJ. This text won’t break down all variations, apart from the usual model, however this video must be a stable start line for explaining the intricacies of every sort. Do not forget that the easiest way to be taught new strategies is to take it sluggish and be taught one transfer at a time. For now, use this video as a reference or information on what you may be taught from learning the X-Guard. Make it a degree to observe a plan everytime you add new weapons to your sport. This may make you extra conscious of the strategies you want to be taught.

The X-Guard In Motion

On this video, BJJ Black Belt Lachlan Giles shares the mechanics of the X-Guard (commonplace variation), from entry, upkeep, and the sweep. He begins by demonstrating an entry from the butterfly guard. The butterfly guard is by far the commonest open guard in No-Gi grappling, and it is a superb start line to maneuver to the X-Guard. From the butterfly guard, get the within place and push them up and ahead by posting close to their armpits. This could pressure your opponent to maneuver previous your head and submit their toes on the mats. 

From right here, hook one leg as you shift beneath their physique. Use your legs to kind an “X” form, with one leg blocking close to the knee and the opposite close to the hip. Be sure that you retain the whole lot tight and take away the slack as a lot as you may. That can assist you visualize this higher, think about that you’re increasing the opponent’s base by flaring your hooks in reverse instructions. Preserve a decent grip in your opponent’s kneecap to forestall them from working away, and tilt them sideways together with your knee as you flare your legs. These steps will make sure you keep the X-Guard even in opposition to robust coaching companions. 

For the end, he teaches the basic technical standup sweep. Power the opponent to shift sideways as you take away your high hook. Place your foot on their thigh as you kick and go up whereas sustaining the opposite leg together with your grip. The motion ought to appear like the essential technical stand-up you be taught as a white belt. When you stand up, you may go to the again or end with the takedown.

Path To The X-Guard

What makes the X-guard such an efficient place is its versatility. This can be a guard that works nicely in each Gi and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. It could even work in MMA, supplied you enter the place safely (as the specter of strikes is all the time looming). It is usually secondary guard to the butterfly and single-leg X, making it an important software for guard specialists. Whereas it might require a number of steps to enter the X-guard, it’s maybe probably the greatest open guards to dominate your opponents when you get to the place.

Mastering The X-Guard

Like all strategies in BJJ, mastering the X-guard requires dedication, understanding, and numerous hours of observe. It’s important to drill the place commonly, specializing in entries, sweeps, and transitions. Sparring offers the platform to check the effectiveness of the X-guard in opposition to resisting opponents and to adapt to varied defensive methods.

Moreover, learning matches of high-level rivals who excel within the X-guard can supply useful insights. Observing their setups, sweeps, and changes can present a deeper understanding of the place’s intricacies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the X-guard is a testomony to the ever-evolving nature of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It embodies the artwork’s ideas of leverage, management, and approach. As BJJ continues to develop and evolve, we imagine that positions just like the X-guard will stay related. This unbelievable guard will all the time be a useful software for grapplers as we speak and sooner or later. Strive it as we speak and see if the X-guard works for you.

You may additionally like: 

How To Grasp The Uchi Mata In BJJ