Bodylock takedowns for BEGINNERS
0
Standard Rear Body Lock·Energia Martial Arts·Added by Admin
Bodylock takedowns for BEGINNERS With our new gym, and bigger filming studio, we can finally get into some more takedown…
Standard Rear Body Lock
Genusスタンダードリアボディロック(Sutandādo Ria Bodi Rokku)
TransliterationTranslation: standard rear body lock
Overview
The Standard Rear Body Lock positions the attacker behind the opponent with arms locked around the waist, hands clasped with a Gable grip, S-grip, or butterfly grip. [1] The attacker presses their chest into the opponent's upper back, keeps hips tight, and positions the head to one side of the opponent's spine. [1],[2] From this position, the attacker can execute mat returns by driving the opponent forward to the ground, rear lifts by elevating the opponent, or lateral rotations by turning the opponent to either side. [2],[3]
History & Origin
The standard rear body lock is one of wrestling's most fundamental positions, taught universally across Greco-Roman, freestyle, and folkstyle wrestling as a primary scoring position. [1] Alexander Karelin's devastating reverse body lifts from this position became iconic in wrestling history. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
The rear body lock is one of the most dominant control positions in the clinch, as the attacker controls the opponent from behind where defensive options are limited. [1] Welker notes that in wrestling, securing a rear body lock almost always results in scoring, whether through a mat return, lift, or throw. [1] In MMA, the rear body lock is the standard position for slam takedowns and suplex attacks. [2]
Lineage
A fundamental Greco-Roman wrestling position taught for mat returns and suplex entries. [1]
Competition Record
The standard rear body lock is a dominant control position used in Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling, and MMA competition at all levels. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Establishing a controlling connection with the opponent at close range
Joints Involved — Upper body contact points — head, arms, and torso used for control and balance disruption
Force Vector — Varies by clinch type — downward (collar tie), lateral (arm drags), or forward (chest pressure)
Control Mechanic — Inside position and head control are the dominant factors in clinch superiority
Position & Entry
From clinch range — Swim inside past the opponent's arms, lock hands around their torso in a body lock (gable grip or clasp)
From underhook battle — Win double underhooks, step in and lock hands around the body
Variants
Front body lock — locked hands around the torso face-to-face
Rear body lock — hands locked around the torso from behind
Side body lock — angled body lock for trips and throws
Over-arms body lock — locking over both arms to pin the opponent's arms to their body
Videos
L6S1_The Clinch
0
Standard Rear Body Lock·SundarJiuJitsu
The Clinch
Defensive Tactics - Body Lock Clinch
0
Standard Rear Body Lock·Valhalla Academy
The body lock clinch is a great way to nullify an opponent's striking and get inside for control or a takedown. This tec…
1 / 2
3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The standard rear body lock is a clinch position executed from behind an opponent, used to control posture and set up takedowns across wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and MMA. Energia Martial Arts emphasizes that proper grip placement is critical: the hands should control the hips rather than the chest, using either an S-grip or gable grip depending on arm length. The position must be asymmetrical—with one arm pulling the hip inward and the other elbow lifting slightly—rather than symmetrical around the center, as this prevents the opponent from rotating within the arm span and keeps the hip trapped. Head pressure forward into the opponent's back further breaks posture and creates stability, particularly in MMA where elbow strikes are a concern. Energia Martial Arts details four fundamental takedowns from this position: the metric turn (staying hip-to-hip, releasing hands at the tipping point to base out and secure top position), reverse variations, forward dips with leg blocks, and sideways shuffles. SundarJiuJitsu and Valhalla Academy both address the clinch entry preceding rear body lock, stressing hip proximity, triangulated foot positioning, and tall posture with head and shoulder contact on the opponent's chest. Valhalla Academy adds that the body lock clinch is particularly effective for closing distance against strikes and setting up takedowns by driving the opponent onto their heels. All three instructors agree that hip control and pressure maintenance are paramount to preventing escape.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Energia Martial Arts — Bodylock takedowns for BEGINNERS: Detailed grip mechanics (S-grip vs. gable grip), asymmetrical positioning to prevent rotation, head pressure technique, and four basic takedown variations (metric turn, reverse, forward dip with leg block, sideways shuffle) with emphasis on hand release timing and base establishment.
- SundarJiuJitsu — L6S1_The Clinch: Foundational clinch entry mechanics including back-arm wrap, front-hand wrist control, foot triangulation, hip proximity, and tall posture with head/shoulder placement on opponent's chest; context for self-defense distance management.
- Valhalla Academy — Defensive Tactics - Body Lock Clinch: Application of body lock clinch for strike defense and distance closure; emphasis on getting under opponent's center of gravity, hip control to remove balance, and position setup for takedowns; training methodology from non-resistant to resistant practice.
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Body clinch positions enable throws and takedowns; rib compression risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
WBC/Boxing — Holding is technically a foul — referee breaks clinch, excessive holding results in point deduction {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
K-1/GLORY — One attack from clinch allowed, then referee breaks {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— WAKO — Clinch generally broken by referee — limited or no...
WAKO Competition RulesPDFLegal
— Unified MMA — Legal — clinching is integral to MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— grip fighting
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— IBJJF — Legal — standing grip fighting and clinch work pe...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IFMA — Legal — the clinch is a core element of Muay Thai,...
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDF— UWW — Legal — clinch is fundamental to wrestling, the pri...
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDFTraining Notes
✓Clasp hands behind the opponent's waist using a Gable grip — palm-to-palm, no interlaced fingers
✓Press your chest flat against their back — eliminate all space
✓Drive your head into the space between their shoulder blades or behind one shoulder
✓Position your feet wide and staggered — one foot between theirs, one behind for driving power
✓From here, attack with: mat return (drive them forward to the ground), German suplex (arch backward), or lift and rotate
✓If the opponent drops their weight to block, transition to a trip by stepping your leg inside their leg
✓Maintain constant forward pressure — if you stop driving, the opponent can grip-fight and escape
Common Mistakes
!Clasping hands at chest level — lock at the waist or lower for maximum control and throwing leverage
!Standing behind the opponent with feet together — stagger the feet for balance and driving power
!Not maintaining chest-to-back contact — any gap allows the opponent to turn
!Locking the grip and standing still — attack within 2-3 seconds or the opponent escapes
!Allowing the opponent to control your clasped hands — keep changing the lock position and attacking
!Arching backward for a suplex without hip contact — your hips must pop into their lower back first
!Not driving forward — constant forward pressure is what makes the rear body lock dominant
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Pummeling — fight for inside position by swimming arms under opponent's gripsFrame and Push — create distance using forearm frames against the chest or neckGrip Break — systematically strip the opponent's controlling gripsPosture Up — straighten the spine and drive the hips forward to break clinch control
Setup Chain
1Close Distance — bridge the gap using footwork, strikes, or a level change
2Secure Both Arms — wrap both arms around the opponent's torso
3Clasp Hands — lock hands together behind the opponent's back
4Hip Drive — press hips against the opponent to maximize control pressure
Sources & References
Primary Source
Freestyle Wrestling: A Complete Guide for Coaches and Wrestlers (Petrov, 1977)
1BookGreco-Roman Wrestling (Petrov, 1985)
Alias sources — [1] Greco-Roman Wrestling (Petrov, 1987) [2] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010) [3] UWW Technical Terminology (UWW, 2018)
2BookFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010) [2] Clinch Fighting for MMA (Couture, 2011)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationGreco-Roman Wrestling (Petrov, 1985)
Alias sources — [1] Greco-Roman Wrestling (Petrov, 1987) [2] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010) [3] UWW Technical Terminology (UWW, 2018)
5CitationFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Wrestling Physical Conditioning Encyclopedia (Welker, 2010) [2] Clinch Fighting for MMA (Couture, 2011)
Community
Athletics
Requires
arm length to wrap the torso, squeeze strength, hip drive
Favours
long arms and strong grip, powerful lower back
Key muscles
biceps, pectorals, forearms, erector spinae, glutes
Frequently Asked Questions
Why shouldn't I position myself in the middle of my opponent's hips with a rear body lock?
Positioning symmetrically in the middle makes you vulnerable to elbows and other strikes. Energia Martial Arts emphasizes going asymmetrical—controlling one hip with one arm longer while keeping pressure with your head on the back—to make it harder for your opponent to defend and escape.
What's the biggest mistake beginners make when attempting a rear body lock takedown?
The biggest mistake is sitting down first instead of staying standing. You want to beat your opponent in that first second to score the top position before falling, rather than dropping to your knee immediately.
How should I position my hips and feet when holding a rear body lock in the clinch?
Keep your hips very close to your opponent and don't push forward with your head, as that drives your hips back and gives them space to escape. SundarJiuJitsu stresses that hips close is the most important thing—maintain a triangulated stance with your back foot relatively close and use shuffling footwork to follow your opponent as they move.
Should I grip the wrist or the hand when holding the rear body lock?
Always grip the wrist, not the hand, because the hand is soft and can slip free more easily.
How does the Standard Rear Body Lock work?
The Standard Rear Body Lock positions the attacker behind the opponent with arms locked around the waist, hands clasped with a Gable grip, S-grip, or butterfly grip. The attacker presses their chest into the opponent's upper back, keeps hips tight, and positions the head to one side of the opponent's spine.
Where does the Standard Rear Body Lock come from?
The standard rear body lock is one of wrestling's most fundamental positions, taught universally across Greco-Roman, freestyle, and folkstyle wrestling as a primary scoring position. Alexander Karelin's devastating reverse body lifts from this position became iconic in wrestling history.
Is the Standard Rear Body Lock legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal — clinching is integral to MMA; IJF: legal — Legal — kumi-kata (grip fighting) is fundamental to judo; IBJJF: legal — Legal — standing grip fighting and clinch work permitted; IFMA: legal — Legal — the clinch is a core element of Muay Thai, clinch dominance is highly…; WBC/Boxing: restricted — Holding is technically a foul — referee breaks clinch, excessive holding resu…; K: restricted — 1/GLORY — One attack from clinch allowed, then referee breaks; WAKO: restricted — Clinch generally broken by referee — limited or no clinch fighting in most fo…; UWW: legal — Legal — clinch is fundamental to wrestling, the primary position in Greco-Roman
How dangerous is the Standard Rear Body Lock?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — body clinch positions enable throws and takedowns; rib compression risk
How do I set up the Standard Rear Body Lock?
The standard setup chain: Close Distance → Secure Both Arms → Clasp Hands → Hip Drive.
How do I defend against the Standard Rear Body Lock?
Standard counters include: Pummeling — fight for inside position by swimming arms under opponent's grips / Frame and Push — create distance using forearm frames against the chest or neck / Grip Break — systematically strip the opponent's controlling grips / Posture Up — straighten the spine and drive the hips forward to break clinch control.
What are the variants of the Standard Rear Body Lock?
Common variants: Front body lock (locked hands around the torso face-to-face); Rear body lock (hands locked around the torso from behind); Side body lock (angled body lock for trips and throws); Over-arms body lock (locking over both arms to pin the opponent's arms to thei…).
How effective is the Standard Rear Body Lock in competition?
The standard rear body lock is a dominant control position used in Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling, and MMA competition at all levels.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Rear Body Lock?
Top errors to watch for: Clasping hands at chest level — lock at the waist or lower for maximum control and throwing leverage / Standing behind the opponent with feet together — stagger the feet for balance and driving power / Not maintaining chest-to-back contact — any gap allows the opponent to turn / Locking the grip and standing still — attack within 2-3 seconds or the opponent escapes.
What are other names for the Standard Rear Body Lock?
The Standard Rear Body Lock is also known as Sutandādo Ria Bodi Rokku, Basic Rear Body Lock, Standard Back Clinch Lock, Back Body Squeeze.