X-Guard Entry

Also known as: Elevator to X · Technical Stand-Up Entry (counter) · Butterfly to X

When they stand or post a leg up to smash your butterfly, swim underneath and build the X: one shoulder under their thigh, legs crossed behind their other knee.

Transition · Gi & No-gi · Difficulty 3/5 · Usually learned at Blue belt

Starts from Butterfly Guard as the butterfly player → lands in X-Guard.

The details that make it work

1. Elevate them with a hook as they posture, then slide underneath their base leg.
2. Their near thigh sits on your shoulder; your feet form the X behind their far knee and hip.
3. Stretch them immediately — a comfortable X-guard opponent is a leg-lock threat to you.

Where it goes wrong

• Building the X slowly under a settled opponent instead of during their standing motion.

How opponents counter it

• Sprawl the hips back before the shoulder gets under
• Knee cut the hooking leg before the X locks

Is the X-Guard Entry legal in competition?

Legal in all major rulesets at all levels (IBJJF, ADCC, sub-only). Rules change — always confirm against the current official rulebook for your event.

Related techniques

• X-Guard Sweep
• Butterfly Sweep
• Shin-to-Shin to Single Leg X
• Single Leg X Sweep

All moves from Butterfly Guard · Back to Grapplepedia