Countering the X-Guard

[Sherdog_Mutt]

My best escape is run forward, worst case scenario he holds onto your foot and has a single leg, but most bjj guys suck at singles, so I can usually do a lateral drop from single leg and end up in side control.

As a complete noob when it comes to wrestling... I'm having a hard time picturing how you nail the lateral drop from his single leg attempt. Do you mind explaining this in more detail? Thanks.

 

[Deloitte]

As a complete noob when it comes to wrestling... I'm having a hard time picturing how you nail the lateral drop from his single leg attempt. Do you mind explaining this in more detail? Thanks.

Yea how do you do a lateral drop on a single?

 

[Zankou]

I always roll into the omoplata or crucifix off a weak single attempt. I'm guessin the lateral drop is like that judo type throw counter where you grab the belt and pant grips, roll to your back and kick them over yo' head.

 

[hayliks]

You want to get your foot that they have in between their legs, get your over hook on the side they have your leg and underhook the other side, then just go for the throw, they hold so much onto your leg that they have nothing to post with to prevent the throw.

 

[Trickster***]

Personally, I think that you need to have a basic x-guard game if you play butterfly guard. This is what you do whenever your opponent decides to stand up in your butterfly.

I dont necessarily think that is so....although it would certainly give me more options! When people stand up in my butterfly guard I either sweep or go for a hook heel/ankle lock. I try to keep underhooks when I have someone in butterflu guard so they cant stand up.

But I do get what you are saying...

 

[Sherdog_Mutt]

You want to get your foot that they have in between their legs, get your over hook on the side they have your leg and underhook the other side, then just go for the throw, they hold so much onto your leg that they have nothing to post with to prevent the throw.

Ahh... I've got to try that. Thanks for the clarification.

Zankou: My last gasp defense to the single leg is usually the judo sacrifice throw that you're thinking of.

 

[franz_grinder]

Personally, I think that you need to have a basic x-guard game if you play butterfly guard. This is what you do whenever your opponent decides to stand up in your butterfly.

Lot's of people play butterfly real well without an X-guard. Some people simply wrestle and shoot off of their ass from butterfly really effectively.

 

[Sherdog_Mutt]

Lot's of people play butterfly real well without an X-guard. Some people simply wrestle and shoot off of their ass from butterfly really effectively.

Ok. You guys are right. I am prone to hyperbole and you don't really "need" to have an x-guard game to compliment your butterfly guard. Nonetheless, it sure is helpful.

 

[Deloitte]

Ok. You guys are right. I am prone to hyperbole and you don't really "need" to have an x-guard game to compliment your butterfly guard. Nonetheless, it sure is helpful.

Don't need it, but it DEFINITELY works great with each other.

 

[Glen Sonnabend]

Hey guys, I took it a step further and asked Marcelo himself. Here is what he said:

Hi Glenn,

As you know , I don't get to defend the Xguard too much, but what I do is to defend myself so I don't let anyone get to it. The best way is to know from where people start the xguard, from what positions,and to be a step ahead, so you can prrevent it.

take care

 

[Calibur]

I've had pretty good success escaping X-guards, but none of the guys were specialists.

The Xguard tries to steal your balance by rocking your legs forward and back. I quickly push my opponents top leg down (using both hands if I can) and mule kick backwards and than swing my leg to knee on belly position. Your opponents lower shins should be easy to push down because their power is being focused on rocking you forward and backwards and not up and down.

I than free my leg close to his shoulder by turning my heel away from his shoulder blade and circling out. I than post it like normal knee on belly position.

Pretty simple procedure IMO. If I am to slow and they start the sweep I can go for a star pass. Thats a lot more risky.

 

[Knots619]

look away from his head and like a sprint, pull your leg out of his grips.

 

[Deloitte]

Rape choke.

 

[SH5]

slam into the splits hard and then posture up real fast, bouncing off his guard

/joking

been meaning to try it and see what happens tho

Midget at Gracie Tampa does this

 

[masada555]

I agree with Knots and Hayliks in that one of the best counters is just to run straight forward in the direction you are facing, then immediately turn back around.

I'm sure that some of the other counters are effective, but this one is very high-percentage and so easy that you can add it to your game immediately. I was able to use it effectively in sparring right after I saw it.