Grappling ・ Guard ・ Bottom vs. standing opponent

Single Leg X

A guard where you trap one of a standing opponent's legs between yours: one foot pushes into their belly while the other leg snakes behind the knee. It breaks their balance and sets up sweeps and leg locks.

Steps

1. When your opponent stands up in your guard, hug one of their legs and pull it to your chest, holding the ankle.
2. Scoot your hips in until your buttocks touch the inside of that ankle.
3. Place the sole of your other foot on their belly or hip and push with a slightly bent leg.
4. Snake your remaining leg from the inside behind their knee and hook the foot around the outside of their leg.
5. Push with the belly foot while pulling the trapped leg toward you to break their balance.

Key points

• Keep your hips glued to their heel. A gap lets them pull the leg out.
• The foot on the belly controls the distance. Keep the leg slightly bent so you can push or absorb.
• Wrap the leg behind the knee tightly so their knee cannot turn freely.

Defense

• Drop your hips and keep your weight on the trapped leg so you are not off-balanced.
• Clear the foot from your belly with your hands before it can push you away.
• Turn the trapped knee outward and step back to pull the leg free.