TFS#28: Control The Base For Sweeps And Subs

The X Guard is a great guard for sweeps and control.

What makes this guard challenging to learn and play for lower belts is the dynamic nature of it.

There’s a lot of little details to note when establishing position, control, getting to sweeps and submissions.

But that’s okay! That’s what this newsletter is here for: to help you pick up on a few extra details.

Now let’s start rolling…

Basic Setup

We’ll start from the De La Riva (DLR) position with a left leg hook since that’s a common entry.

Use your right leg to help maintain guard retention by stepping on the knee, hip, or bicep.

You’ll have to adjust depending on how your partner is defending.

Prioritize establishing the position before moving on to the next steps.

Off-balance

After establishing good control, your goal is now to off balance your partner. When you feel ready, you can kick the knee and turn onto your right hip. You’ll get your partner to post both their hands.

When kicking their knee, sit up with the kick.

Remember to keep your DLR hook active, it is a point of control. The hook helps turn your partner to their right.

Their heel will come off the mat which allows you to circle your DLR leg under their leg. As they push back to try to get on top of you again, they'll enter your SLX.

Enter SLX

Make sure to use your left foot to frame on the hip. Use both legs to pinch their single leg.

Sweep #1: Kid Sweep

If you’re able to grab the far leg pant, you have the Kid Sweep. Pinch your legs and pull on both legs. Very simple, but very effective.

Sweep #2: Stand Up

Some times your partner will know you’re trying to grab the free leg for the Kid Sweep so they’ll widen their stance. Here’s where you’ll use your right leg to help drop them on the floor.

(1) Use your right leg to step on inside of knee and open it until they drop to the ground.
(2) Use both legs to push to create space, maintaining your frame. Again, your opponent will try to close the distance between.
(3) Now switch your left foot hook into the inside. Again, you push to create space, this also forces their hips on the mat.
(4) Shelf their leg on your left elbow. Now, you’re supporting their leg on your elbow and your leg. Now, come up on your right elbow. Technical Stand and come up, you’re ready to pass open guard.

Don’t forget, before coming up for the technical stand, make sure your hips are behind your head. If your head is in front of your hips, it’s easier to push you on your back. You can adjust your hips (butt scoot back) back before you get up. This move here does not need to be rushed.

Triangle submission

The most common defense to the DLR is when your opponent stuffs your far leg in between their legs.

If you don’t react, you’re giving your opponent an opportunity to operate from the versatile HQ position.

(1) At this point, you’ll want to grab behind their right elbow and trap it close. (Later on you’ll want to open this elbow up to allow your left leg to shoot up.)
(2) Open up the elbow and using your DLR foot to push on their hips. You want to start opening gaps so they are incentivized to escape their right leg.
(3) to (4) Bring your right leg knee to chest and shoot over their shoulder.

While sweeping them to the right, don’t forget to use all connections to help you. Left foot pushes on their hip, right leg pushes on their knee, and right hand uses the collar grip to push as well.

As you bring your right knee to your chest, your opponent may want to close the distance again. This is where their movement helps you shoot the gap to close the triangle position.

Extra Notes

I highly recommend drilling entries first.

Once comfortable, add on the sweeps. Sweep #1 is fairly simple, so simple I don’t even need to show you a picture. Sweep #2 will require more drilling.

Connecting the Triangle submission will take some adjusting. For more “immediate” success, I’d recommend practicing the sweeps to get the 2 points for coming up.

But don’t sleep on the Triangle.

For The Dedicated

1. 10 Things All Levels Can Do To Pass Like A Wizard​
I was passing upper belts’ guards (even few brown belts) when I was just a white belt. The success in my game came because I dedicated my time to these 10 tips…

2. The Nogi Variations You Can Apply Now​
The importance of entry into any position is underrated. The better you are at getting to the position you are comfortable with, the better your overall game.

3. How To Turtle Like A Pro​
If you find yourself stuck in Turtle position, you’re probably just hoping to ride out the storm. Sorry to break it to you but the storm will pass in two ways: the round ends and you lose, or you get choked. Learn to recover like a pro.

4. You’re Not Doing Enough Of This​
My awesome friend John Connors goes over this advice for all Jiu-Jitsu grapplers. Apparently, we can always use more of it and it’ll make the most of our game.

5. How To Balance Training Schedule As A Single Mom​
An inspiring read shared by @chrismwojcik and @motherearthlee goes over how a single mom balances raising her kids while maintaining a competitive mindset for Jiu-Jitsu.

Closing Thought

Make sure you have good guard retention before setting up your SLX.

One drill you can work on is to get into DLR and have your partner move around, fight off your far leg. It’s your job to off balance them while defending your far leg.

If you’re looking to compete, these are great techniques to learn…

Even if they seem “advanced.”

You might not get it down now but as you move up in belt color, you’ll definitely see how these techniques come in handy.