Nicky Ryan: Unstoppable Body Lock Pass Details | B-Team Technique
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Standard Body Lock Pass
Genusボディロックパス(Bodi Rokku Pasu)
TransliterationTranslation: body lock pass
Overview
The body lock pass uses a gable grip or clasp around the opponent's waist or lower back, driving the chest into the opponent's torso to eliminate space, then incrementally clearing the legs to advance past the guard. [1] While the body lock is an ancient wrestling technique, its systematic application to BJJ guard passing was pioneered by Gordon Ryan (3x ADCC World Champion) and the Danaher Death Squad / New Wave Jiu-Jitsu system in the late 2010s. [2] Ryan identifies three completion methods: stuffing, shelving, or splitting the opponent's legs. Lachlan Giles developed a complementary 5-stage system. The body lock pass is considered one of the safest passes because the passer's legs stay far from the opponent's leg lock attacks.
Body Lock PassBear Hug PassBody Lock Guard Pass
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Gordon Ryan's dominant ADCC and no-gi competition career is largely built on the body lock passing system. The technique is considered the safest and most methodical way to pass guard at the highest levels of no-gi grappling. [1]
Lineage
Ancient wrestling body lock adapted for BJJ by Gordon Ryan and the Danaher system (late 2010s).
Competition Record
Gordon Ryan: 3x ADCC World Champion, IBJJF No-Gi World Champion — body lock as primary passing system.
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Gable grip around opponent's waist eliminates space; chest drives into torso
Control Principle — Locked arms prevent the guard player from creating frames or recovering distance
Finishing Methods — Three completion methods: stuff (push legs down), shelf (stack legs on hip), or split (separate legs laterally)
Safety — Passer's legs remain far from opponent's legs, minimizing exposure to leg lock counters
Position & Entry
From open guard — Drive into opponent, secure gable grip around waist, begin incremental leg clearing
From half guard — Establish body lock control from top half guard, then clear the trapped leg
From closed guard — Break the guard open and immediately secure the body lock before opponent can reguard
Variants
Standard body lock (waist grip) — classic gable grip around the waist
High body lock (mid-back/rib grip) — grip higher for more upper body control
High tripod pass — standing body lock popularized by Jozef Chen
Front body lock — driving forward with the body lock
Side body lock — angle to one side for passing
Body lock to mount — advance directly to mount rather than side control
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Moderate — primarily pressure-based; considered one of the safest passes because passer's legs stay far from opponent's leg lock attacks
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 'Systematically Attacking the Guard: Body Lock Study' (BJJ Fanatics) is the most comprehensive instructional. Lachlan Giles developed a complementary 5-stage body lock passing system. The body lock pass became dominant in no-gi competition because it neutralizes the guard player's primary weapons (legs and frames) while keeping the passer safe from leg lock attacks. Ryan describes the process as 'slow and meticulous' — it is not a speed pass but a grinding pressure pass that incrementally clears the opponent's legs. Murilo Santana at Unity BJJ and the Miyao brothers also contributed to the technique's development.
Common Mistakes
!Not securing a tight gable grip — any space allows the guard player to frame
!Trying to pass too quickly — the body lock is a patient, methodical pass
!Not choosing a completion method — must commit to stuff, shelf, or split
!Hips too high — weight must be distributed through the chest into the opponent
!Leaving legs exposed — the body lock's safety advantage is lost if legs drift toward opponent's guard
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Break open the guard → Drive chest into opponent → Secure gable grip around waist → Begin incremental leg clearing (stuff, shelf, or split) → Advance past the guard → Establish side control or mount
Sources & References
Primary Source
Systematically Attacking the Guard: Body Lock Study (Ryan, BJJ Fanatics)
1BookSystematically Attacking the Guard: Body Lock Study (Ryan, BJJ Fanatics)
[1] Ryan — comprehensive body lock study (BJJ Fanatics)
2BookThe Body Lock Pass (Giles, BJJ Fanatics)
[2] Giles — 5-stage body lock passing system
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Systematically Attacking the Guard: Body Lock Study (Ryan, BJJ Fanatics) || The Body Lock Pass (Giles, BJJ Fanatics) || Evolve MMA — Types of Body Lock Passes (evolve-mma.com)
4OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
5CitationSystematically Attacking the Guard: Body Lock Study (Ryan, BJJ Fanatics)
[1] Ryan — comprehensive body lock study (BJJ Fanatics)
6CitationThe Body Lock Pass (Giles, BJJ Fanatics)
[2] Giles — 5-stage body lock passing system
7CitationEvolve MMA — Types of Body Lock Passes (evolve-mma.com)
Community
Athletics
Requires
core strength, patience, sensitivity to weight distribution
Key muscles
core, shoulders, grip, pectorals
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I lock my hands when applying a body lock pass?
According to Nicky Ryan, you should never lock directly in the middle as this narrows your base and makes it easier for your opponent to escape or defend. Instead, always use one long arm and one short arm when locking to maintain a wider base and better elbow control.
What should I do if my opponent posts their arm inside my knee to stop the pass?
Nicky Ryan recommends unlocking your hands and using a flicking motion with your elbow into their arm while simultaneously taking a near side under hook to continue advancing the position.
What's my next move if the opponent defends well against the initial pass attempt?
If your opponent successfully posts to prevent you from reaching three quarter mount, Nicky Ryan suggests swimming in another under hook to establish double unders, then switching your head across and using a butterfly hook to free your leg and secure inside control.
How does the Standard Body Lock Pass work?
The body lock pass uses a gable grip or clasp around the opponent's waist or lower back, driving the chest into the opponent's torso to eliminate space, then incrementally clearing the legs to advance past the guard. While the body lock is an ancient wrestling technique, its systematic application to BJJ guard passing was pioneered by Gordon Ryan (3x ADCC World Champion) and the Danaher Death Squad / New Wave Jiu-Jitsu system in the late 2010s.
Where does the Standard Body Lock Pass come from?
The body lock is an ancient wrestling technique. Its systematic application to BJJ guard passing was developed by Gordon Ryan and the Danaher Death Squad / New Wave Jiu-Jitsu in the late 2010s.
Is the Standard 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 Standard Body Lock Pass?
Danger rating 3/10. Low-moderate — primarily pressure-based; considered one of the safest passes because passer's legs stay far from opponent's leg lock attacks
How do I set up the Standard Body Lock Pass?
The standard setup chain: Break open the guard → Drive chest into opponent → Secure gable grip around waist → Begin incremental leg clearing (stuff, shelf, or split) → Advance past the guard → Establish side control or mount.
How do I defend against the Standard Body Lock Pass?
Standard counters include: Strong framing against face/neck — create distance before the lock is established / Inversion and hip flexibility — create space to reguard / Underhook pummeling — fight for underhooks to prevent the body lock / Granby roll escape — roll to create space.
What are the variants of the Standard Body Lock Pass?
Common variants: Standard body lock (waist grip) (classic gable grip around the waist); High body lock (mid-back/rib grip) (grip higher for more upper body control); High tripod pass (standing body lock popularized by Jozef Chen); Front body lock (driving forward with the body lock); Side body lock (angle to one side for passing); Body lock to mount (advance directly to mount rather than side control).
How effective is the Standard Body Lock Pass in competition?
Gordon Ryan: 3x ADCC World Champion, IBJJF No-Gi World Champion — body lock as primary passing system.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Body Lock Pass?
Top errors to watch for: Not securing a tight gable grip — any space allows the guard player to frame / Trying to pass too quickly — the body lock is a patient, methodical pass / Not choosing a completion method — must commit to stuff, shelf, or split / Hips too high — weight must be distributed through the chest into the opponent.
What are other names for the Standard Body Lock Pass?
The Standard Body Lock Pass is also known as Bodi Rokku Pasu, Body Lock Pass, Bear Hug Pass, Body Lock Guard Pass.