What is the X-Pass?
The X-pass uses a cross-body leg drive — stepping one leg across the opponent’s hips while controlling the far leg — to flatten guard players and land in side control or knee-on-belly. It exploded in popularity in no-gi because it chains well with leg pummeling defense.
Cross Drive
- Control far ankle and post on near shoulder or collar
- Step across the opponent’s body with your lead leg
- Flatten knees together toward the mat
Drop and Secure
- Drop chest pressure and slide to side control
- Secure underhook and crossface before they hip escape
- Transition to knee on belly if they turn away
Key Grips & Control Points
- Collar or shoulder post with far ankle control
- Pant grip or ankle grip on the leg you drive across
- Crossface ready as hips clear the legs
Timing & Movement Cues
- Pass when one foot is elevated and the hips are square
- Drive the leg across as you drop chest pressure
- Follow immediately — hesitation allows re-guard
Typical Counters to Expect
- Underhook on the driven leg leading to single leg
- Invert and recover when the cross-step is shallow
- Frame on hip during the drop
Follow-Up Options
- Knee on belly when they turn away
- Back step pass when they invert
- Leg drag when the X-pass stalls halfway
Setups & Entries
- Fake torreando to freeze leg reaction
- Grip the near ankle and cross-drive on the far side
- Combine with float passing when opponent sits up
Training Drills
- Cross-step shadow drilling with hip drop emphasis
- X-pass to side control with partner re-guarding
- Chain X-pass with torreando based on leg reaction
Coaching Notes
- Drive through the hips, not just the legs
- Keep the crossface ready before the drop
- Smaller steps on the cross if the opponent is flexible
Related Study
Connect this movement with complementary positions and attacks.
Summary
The X-pass is modern guard passing at speed. Cross the legs, drop your weight, and secure side control before open guard recovery kicks in.