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IntermediateX-Pass
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Taught by:Nathan Merkle
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About This Technique
Technique: X-Pass
Position: Open Guard
Top/Bottom: Top
Japanese Name: N/A
Description: The X-Pass, also known as the "Leg Drag Pass," is a classic and efficient guard passing technique using angles, grips, and movements to pass an opponent's open guard. It involves a quick transition between grips and a diagonal step-pass to move to an advantageous position.
Steps to Perform the X-Pass:
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Initiate Grips:
- Begin by standing in your opponent's open guard, with good posture and balance.
- Grip the opponent's nearest ankle with your far-side hand. This is to limit their leg mobility and start compromising their guard.
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Secure Collar Tie:
- With your inside hand (closest to the opponent), secure a grip on their lapel or collar. This hand helps control their upper body and direct the pass.
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Leg Placement:
- Step back slightly with your back leg (the same side as your hand gripping the ankle) to create distance and an angle.
- Simultaneously, you will pin your opponent's ankle to the mat.
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Leg Slide/Motion:
- Using your back leg, step outward and across your opponent's opposing thigh, aiming to trap and pin it to the mat. This blocks their ability to follow your movement.
-
Slide Through and Lower Body
- As you make the motion with your back leg, slide your other leg through and past their hip. Use this moment to lower your pressure forward, ensuring you maintain contact through your hips.
-
Stabilize Position:
- Once past the guard, drop your weight over their torso, transitioning into Side Control. Ensure your core is tight, and you're controlling their movement.
- Consolidate the position with an underhook and a cross-face to secure their upper body, preventing any bridge or escape attempts.
-
Optional Adjustments:
- If faced with counter-resistance or a re-guard attempt, use your upper body grip to adjust weight distribution and continuously adapt the pass angle.
Tips:
- Timing and precision are keys to a successful X-pass. Ensuring quick footwork and maintained pressure is essential.
- Maintain a low center of gravity to avoid being swept during the pass execution.
- Practice the X-Pass in both directions, ensuring adaptability to an opponent’s reaction.
The X-Pass is a blend of control, timing, and angle exploitation. With consistent practice, it becomes a formidable weapon in one's guard-passing arsenal.
How to Execute
# X-Pass from Open Guard
## Setup
- **Initial Position Details:**
- You are standing in your opponent’s open guard.
- Your opponent is on their back with legs open, attempting to control or attack.
- **Grips and Controls Needed:**
- Use your hand to control your opponent’s ankle on the side you intend to pass.
- Your other hand should be placed on your opponent’s knee or shin on the same side.
- Maintain a solid posture with a straight back and slightly bent knees to maintain balance.
## Steps
1. **Create Distance:**
- Push your opponent’s knee down to the mat using your hand on their knee/shin.
- Simultaneously, step backward slightly with your same-side leg to create space and control their leg movement.
2. **Establish Leg Control:**
- As you step back, maintain control of your opponent’s ankle with your opposite hand.
- Your leg on the side of the ankle control should be ready to step over their leg.
3. **Initiate the X-Pass:**
- Kick your leg that is controlling the ankle outward and wide, over your opponent’s leg.
- Simultaneously, use your knee/shin control hand to push their knee across their body, towards their opposite shoulder.
4. **Switch Your Hips:**
- As you step over, turn your hips inward, facing your opponent, to begin moving to side control.
- Ensure your upper body follows your hips to maximize control and pressure.
5. **Complete the Pass:**
- Drop your weight into your opponent as you establish position.
- Transition to side control by securing your grips and flattening your opponent with chest-to-chest pressure.
## Key Points
- **Important Details to Remember:**
- Keep your posture strong throughout the movement to minimize the risk of being swept or off-balanced.
- Ensure that your leg movement is quick and decisive to avoid your opponent re-establishing guard.
- **Common Mistakes to Avoid:**
- Do not lean too far forward, as it makes you vulnerable to sweeps.
- Avoid neglecting the control of the knee; without it, your opponent can easily recover guard.
- Ensure your hips are turned towards your opponent at the end of the pass to secure the position effectively.
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