Overview
Cross ashi garami is one of the central leg-entanglement positions in modern no-gi jiu-jitsu, defined by controlling the opponent’s leg across your centerline. This positioning creates powerful rotational and breaking mechanics, giving the attacker direct access to a wide range of lower-body submissions. Cross ashi garami is not a single position, but a broader category that includes several variations used at the highest levels of the sport.
The most common forms of cross ashi garami include 50/50, inside sankaku, and related offshoots. Each variation maintains the same core principle—controlling the opponent’s knee line across the body.
From this entanglement, athletes can primarily apply the inside heel hook, transition between entanglements, or force scrambles that expose the back or top position. Its combination of control, versatility, and finishing power makes cross ashi garami one of the most important positions in today’s no-gi landscape.