The Body Lock Pass: Standard version
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Body Lock Pass·Absolute MMA St Kilda - Melbourne
SAVE on my highly reviewed instructionals with the codes below * BJJ Fanatics instructionals (save 10%) with LACHLAN10 h…
Body Lock Pass
SubFamilyボディロックパス
TransliterationTranslation
Not yet documented
Overview
The Body Lock Pass is a modern pressure-based guard pass where the passer secures a body lock (arms locked around the opponent's waist/hips) and uses heavy forward drive to pass the guard — the technique that defined Gordon Ryan's dominance at ADCC 2019 and 2022. [1] The body lock provides the most secure connection between the passer and the guard player, preventing the guard player from creating distance, re-guarding, or disengaging. [1],[2] Ryan systematised the body lock pass as part of his comprehensive passing hierarchy: secure the body lock, establish heavy pressure, and methodically advance past the legs using hip-switching and leg-clearing techniques while the body lock prevents the guard player from adjusting. [2],[3] The body lock pass has become the dominant passing strategy in modern no-gi grappling because it doesn't rely on gi grips. [3]
Body LockBear Hug PassBody Clinch Pass
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Systematised by Gordon Ryan for his ADCC campaigns (2019, 2022). [1]
Competition Record
Gordon Ryan won 2 ADCC absolute titles using the body lock pass as a primary technique. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Locking the arms around the opponent's waist/hips and driving heavy forward pressure to flatten and advance past their guard
Joints Involved — Arms (locked around the torso/hips in a Gable grip or S-grip), chest (primary pressure surface), hips (hip switching to navigate past the legs while maintaining the body lock)
Force Vector — Forward-downward — the body lock pulls the passer into the opponent while driving heavy pressure through the chest
Pass Mechanic — The body lock creates the tightest possible connection — with arms locked around the hips, the guard player cannot create ANY distance; the passer then hip-switches to navigate past the legs while the opponent is immobilised by the lock
Position & Entry
From standing (body lock guard approach) — Close distance, secure a body lock around the opponent's hips from standing, then drive them to the mat and begin passing with the lock maintained [1]
From inside guard — After breaking the guard, immediately secure a body lock around the hips before the opponent can establish open guard grips
From half guard — From top half guard, establish a body lock around the hips and use it to complete the half guard pass [2]
Videos
Learn How To Do The Perfect Jiu Jitsu Body Lock Pass by Gordon Ryan
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Body Lock Pass·Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics
If you watch Gordon Ryan training or competing, you will notice that he has a perfect Body Lock Pass. Learn how to do it…
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
The body lock pass maintains maximum control throughout, minimising offensive options for the guard player
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IBJJF — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part ...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Gordon Ryan's instructionals are the definitive resource — his ADCC performances demonstrate the body lock pass at its highest level [1]
✓The Gable grip (palm-to-palm, no thumbs interlocked) is the standard body lock grip — it is the strongest clasp
✓The body lock works equally well in gi and no-gi but is ESPECIALLY effective in no-gi where alternative gripping options are limited
✓Hip switching is the advancing mechanic — shift the hips from side to side while maintaining the body lock to navigate past the legs
✓Heavy pressure and patience — the body lock pass is a slow grind, not a speed pass [2]
✓Chain the body lock with leg drags and toreando — the opponent's defensive reactions to the body lock can open alternative passes
Common Mistakes
!Loose body lock — the grip must be tight; a loose lock allows the opponent to create distance
!Hips too high — heavy, low hips create maximum pressure
!Rushing — the body lock pass is slow and methodical
!Not hip switching — static body lock pressure doesn't advance the pass
!Using interlocked thumbs — Gable grip (palm-to-palm) is stronger and doesn't risk thumb injuries
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Close Distance
2Secure Body Lock (Gable Grip around hips)
3Drive Pressure
4Hip Switch to Navigate Past Legs
5Clear the Legs
6Consolidate Side Control or Mount
Sources & References
Primary Source
Systematically Attacking the Guard (Gordon Ryan, BJJ Fanatics)
1BookSystematically Attacking the Guard (Gordon Ryan, BJJ Fanatics)
Description sources — [1] Gordon Ryan ADCC 2019/2022 performance [2] BJJ Fanatics instructional analysis
2BookADCC competition analysis
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationSystematically Attacking the Guard (Gordon Ryan, BJJ Fanatics)
Description sources — [1] Gordon Ryan ADCC 2019/2022 performance [2] BJJ Fanatics instructional analysis
5CitationADCC competition analysis
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip endurance (maintaining the body lock), heavy pressure ability, hip switching
Favours
heavy bodyweight, strong arms (maintaining the lock), good cardio
Key muscles
forearms (grip), chest (pressure), core (hip switching), shoulders (lock maintenance)
Sub-techniques
Notes
The body lock pass uses double underhooks around the opponent's torso to flatten and pass. Popularized at the highest level by Gordon Ryan, whose body lock passing system dominated ADCC 2022. (ADCC competition records)
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I keep my hands locked the entire time during a body lock pass?
Hand position depends on your movement strategy. According to Gordon Ryan via Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics, a 10-finger lock works well if you want to keep your hands in the center, but if you need to move your hands side to side, you can use unlocked hands with an elbow inside instead—both approaches use the same core mechanics.
How do I prevent my opponent from escaping the body lock pass?
Gordon Ryan emphasizes making your opponent less athletic rather than trying to out-athlete them by establishing a deep, tight waist lock and placing your ear on their back. This control prevents scrambling and head chasing that allows escape.
Where should I position my head and hands when setting up the body lock?
Your head must be on the correct side relative to the direction you want to pass, and your hand placement should not be too low or you risk getting caught in a submission. Lock your hands as far back as you can to maintain control.
How does the Body Lock Pass work?
The Body Lock Pass is a modern pressure-based guard pass where the passer secures a body lock (arms locked around the opponent's waist/hips) and uses heavy forward drive to pass the guard — the technique that defined Gordon Ryan's dominance at ADCC 2019 and 2022. The body lock provides the most secure connection between the passer and the guard player, preventing the guard player from creating distance, re-guarding, or disengaging.
Where does the Body Lock Pass come from?
The body lock pass was systematised by Gordon Ryan as part of his comprehensive no-gi passing system, demonstrated at ADCC 2019 (where he won the absolute division) and ADCC 2022 (where he won both his weight and absolute).
Is the Body Lock Pass legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; IJF: legal — Legal — transitioning past opponent's legs is part of newaza; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pass scores 3 points; Unified MMA: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Body Lock Pass?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — the body lock pass maintains maximum control throughout, minimising offensive options for the guard player
How do I set up the Body Lock Pass?
The standard setup chain: Close Distance → Secure Body Lock (Gable Grip around hips) → Drive Pressure → Hip Switch to Navigate Past Legs → Clear the Legs → Consolidate Side Control or Mount.
How do I defend against the Body Lock Pass?
Standard counters include: Frame on hips — creating distance before the lock is secured / Underhook from bottom — fighting for the underhook to prevent flattening / Guard re-establishment — using hip movement to re-guard before the pass completes / Inversion — going upside down to recover guard.
What are the variants of the Body Lock Pass?
Common variants: Standard body lock pass (arms around the waist/hips [1]); High body lock (arms around the chest/upper body); Body lock to leg drag (transitioning from body lock to leg drag when the legs ar…); Body lock to mount (advancing directly to mount from the body lock); Body lock from standing (initiating the pass from standing with the body lock [2]).
How effective is the Body Lock Pass in competition?
Gordon Ryan won 2 ADCC absolute titles using the body lock pass as a primary technique.
What are common mistakes when doing the Body Lock Pass?
Top errors to watch for: Loose body lock — the grip must be tight; a loose lock allows the opponent to create distance / Hips too high — heavy, low hips create maximum pressure / Rushing — the body lock pass is slow and methodical / Not hip switching — static body lock pressure doesn't advance the pass.
What are other names for the Body Lock Pass?
The Body Lock Pass is also known as Body Lock, Bear Hug Pass, Body Clinch Pass.