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Single Leg X (SLX) Sweep

SweepOpen-guard sweepBelt: blue+Risk: lowIBJJFADCCNo-GiSub-OnlyMMA

The Single Leg X sweep is a foundational open guard technique that elevates and off-balances a standing opponent using the legs and hips, transitioning directly from guard to a dominant top position. This sweep is highly effective in both gi and no-gi, especially against standing passers, and often leads directly to a single-leg finish or top control.

Start
Single leg X
End
Top with single-leg finish
Prerequisites: Basic guard retention · Hip elevation from guard · Inside leg threading · Single-leg grip mechanics

Steps

  1. 1
    Establish Single Leg X Guard
    From seated open guard, thread your inside leg (shin) deep under their near-side thigh, placing your foot on their far hip; your outside leg hooks tightly behind their near knee. Clamp your knees and keep your hips elevated off the mat.
  2. 2
    Secure the Ankle Grip
    Grip their near-side ankle with your same-side hand using a C-grip or pistol grip, pulling it toward your hip to limit their mobility. Your other hand posts on their far ankle or shin for additional control.
  3. 3
    Off-Balance with Hip Extension
    Extend your hips upward while pulling their ankle toward you, aiming to elevate their heel off the mat. Simultaneously, flare your outside knee outward to destabilize their base.
  4. 4
    Drive the Sweep Angle
    Angle your body slightly to the outside (about 30–45°) while maintaining strong knee pinch, driving their weight over your inside shin and forcing their knee to collapse inward.
  5. 5
    Kick and Lift to Sweep
    Extend your inside leg (the one under their thigh) upward and outward as you pull their ankle across your centerline. Your outside foot on their knee or thigh helps guide their weight over.
  6. 6
    Follow Through to Top Position
    As they fall, maintain your ankle grip and come up on your outside elbow, then post your hand. Use your outside leg to base and drive your hips forward, coming up to your knee.
  7. 7
    Finish with Single Leg Control
    Transition your grip to a high single-leg (cupping behind their knee or thigh), keeping your chest heavy on their shin. Stand up or drive forward to complete the sweep and secure top position.

Key details most people miss

  • Pinch your knees tightly throughout to prevent them from extracting their leg.
  • Keep your hips elevated and never flat on the mat for maximum off-balancing leverage.
  • The sweep works best when you time your hip extension as they shift weight or attempt to step out.
  • Angle your body slightly off their centerline to prevent them from squaring up and regaining balance.

Common mistakes

  • Letting your knees flare open: opponent easily steps out or backsteps to pass.
  • Failing to control their ankle: they regain posture and break your guard connection.
  • Trying to sweep with flat hips: you lose leverage and cannot elevate their base.
  • Not angling your body: they remain square and resist the sweep with strong posture.

Counters & responses

They try: Opponent posts their free leg wide to base
You do: Switch to X-guard by threading your outside leg under and attacking both legs.
They try: Opponent peels your inside foot off their hip
You do: Re-thread your foot immediately or transition to a technical stand-up single leg.
They try: Opponent drops their knee to the mat to staple your inside leg
You do: Switch to a deep half guard entry by scooping under their posted leg.
They try: Opponent attempts a back step to clear your hooks
You do: Follow with your outside hook, transitioning to standard X-guard or invert to maintain control.

Drill prescription

6 rounds × 2 min each; 50% resistance; alternate roles every round; goal: 5 clean sweeps to top per round, with partner actively posting and attempting to regain balance.

How the masters teach it

Videos are still being curated for this technique. AI suggests these instructors:
Marcelo Garcia — Popularized SLX in no-gi, emphasizing constant off-balancing and seamless transition to single-leg finishes.Lachlan Giles — Refined the SLX sweep for leg entanglement entries and systematic transitions to X-guard.Lucas Lepri — Demonstrates precise grip and angle details for high-percentage sweeps in IBJJF competition.John Danaher — Integrates SLX as a core entry point for leg attacks and positional advancement in modern no-gi systems.
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