BJJ Reverse X Guard: Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a quickly developing martial art that uses skill to put adversaries in precarious situations. Regardless of where you are in a match, this is a universal principle that you should adhere to. Working top positions successfully pin down a resistant individual by using gravity (and with body placement); that’s very basic. It’s a completely different game to play the bottom game. It’s essential to comprehend the principles of proper placement and off-balance techniques (kuzushi) in order to isolate a side and attempt sweeps and submissions.
Today, we’ll talk about the BJJ reverse X guard, a special and occasionally disregarded BJJ guard.
Why Engage In The Bottom Game?
The majority of individuals frequently choose to attack from a position of strength. This is especially true for white belts and early blue belts since using the offensive is a simple and basic strategy.
As much as we’d prefer to always be in control, a totally resistant opponent will take whatever necessary measures to keep you from slipping through their grasp. Sweeps, reversals, and scrambles are frequently utilised to either compel you to play on the bottom or reset to a neutral position. As a result, all Jiu-Jitsu practitioners must learn how to play guard.
You might also be interested in reading this: Get To Know Everything About BJJ Squid Guard
The BJJ Reverse X Guard
The reverse X guard is a variation of the conventional X guard, its more well-known cousin. These guards are distinguished by utilising one arm to control a leg and your legs to form an X below the opponent’s torso as a barrier. One of the strongest open positions in BJJ, the X guard may create a lot of offensive chances.
The location of the legs is the primary distinction between the X and reverse X guards. The X guard is when you jam your right leg close to your hip while your left leg is positioned beneath your right and blocks close to the opponent’s knee, assuming you are controlling one leg with your right arm. The reverse X guard, on the other hand, has your right leg supporting your left leg as it is placed on top.
Benefits Of The Reverse X-Guard
Let’s now examine the advantages of employing the reverse X guard. The ability to raise the opponent up and open up leg lock strikes distinguishes this posture from the traditional X guard.
Overlooking the foot should be your first move if the opponent chooses to stand and face you. This guarantees that you still have some level of influence over your adversary and serves as the foundation for your subsequent assault. Then, as you move at an angle to grab the leg, use your foot to bring it over you. The honey hole (inside sankaku) position, one of the most effective leg entanglements in all of grappling, should result from doing this. From here, you may use attacks like the heel hook to go for the legs.
Building A System
Playing open guard may be challenging since you have to be prepared for your opponent’s defences, counters, and recounters. This is why a lot of beginners make the mistake of not experimenting with novel open-guard variants. Don’t forget that the training room should be regarded as a laboratory; don’t be scared to experiment with new methods.
Years of trial and error are necessary to develop into a proficient open-guard player. You’ll face several obstacles on the way to becoming proficient in this area of BJJ since you’ll undoubtedly have your guard broken numerous times. When this occurs, don’t be discouraged; instead, be happy because you are honing a skill that will help you until you achieve the black belt level. But for as long as you can, accept the grind and be willing to learn new things.
If you like to target the legs, the reverse X guard is an excellent supporting guard and a useful tool. Learning-related guards like the single leg X and X guard are a good idea to build out your system because going to the reverse X might be challenging. If you desire an offensive open guard, single-leg X open guards are important. Given that it is effective in both gi and no-gi, it is perhaps one of the greatest guards to master. You may use it as a hub for your other open guards because it is so adaptable.
Learning the reverse X guard will undoubtedly improve your game if you are primarily a no-gi player. A very efficient way to start your offence is to get under an opponent’s base. Additionally, you may employ the reverse X guard to surprise unprepared opponents because it is less common than other open guard variations. Once you reach your preferred location, you’ll probably end with a sweep or a submission. You will undoubtedly become an expert in the reverse X guard if you drill your preferred entrances each time you practise, ideally on both sides.
A fantastic method to increase your attacking choices is to get proficient in numerous open guards. Both the regular and reverse X guards provide you with a variety of assault options while giving your opponent few chances to counterattack. Learning different open guards as you advance in rank can help you defend yourself against even the most challenging training partners.
This is all about the BJJ Reverse X Guard. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
