How to Draw Jaws of Life
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Jaws of Life
Genusジョーズオブライフ(Jōzu obu Raifu)
TransliterationTranslation: jaws of life
Overview
The Jaws of Life is a critical transitional position from the lockdown half guard where the guard player establishes double underhooks on the opponent while maintaining the lockdown leg configuration. [1] This is the essential intermediate step between the lockdown and the Electric Chair sweep/submission. The double underhooks create the leverage needed to execute the whip-up and transition to attacks. [2]
Jaws of Life10th Planet Jaws of Life
History & Origin
Developed by Eddie Bravo as part of the 10th Planet lockdown system. [1]
Effectiveness
Critical transitional position that enables the Electric Chair and other lockdown attacks. [1]
Lineage
Eddie Bravo's 10th Planet lockdown system.
Competition Record
Used in EBI and no-gi competition by 10th Planet practitioners.
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Double underhooks established while maintaining lockdown leg triangle
Transitional Function — Bridge between lockdown control and Electric Chair attack
Leverage — Double underhooks provide the lifting power for the whip-up transition
Position & Entry
From lockdown half guard — Swim for double underhooks while maintaining the lockdown on opponent's leg
Variants
Jaws of Life to Electric Chair
Jaws of Life to Old School sweep
Jaws of Life to dogfight
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Transitional control position
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— IJF — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — ground...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from ...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points por...
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — no penalty for playing guard
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Part of Eddie Bravo's lockdown half guard system. Documented in 'Mastering the Rubber Guard' (2006), Half Guard chapter, DVD Disc 1 Track 4. Also in Mastering the System episode 29. The Jaws of Life is the critical link between the lockdown and the Electric Chair — without establishing double underhooks, the Electric Chair cannot be executed.
Common Mistakes
!Not achieving double underhooks — single underhook is insufficient for the whip-up
!Losing the lockdown while swimming for underhooks — must maintain leg control
!Not transitioning to attacks — Jaws of Life should lead to Electric Chair or sweep
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish lockdown half guard → Swim for first underhook → Swim for second underhook (Jaws of Life achieved) → Whip up → Attack: Electric Chair sweep/submission
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006)
1BookMastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006, Victory Belt Publishing) — Half Guard chapter, DVD Disc 1 Track 4
[1] Mastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006) DVD Disc 1 Track 4
2BookMastering the System episode 29
[2] MTS episode 29
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationMastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006, Victory Belt Publishing) — Half Guard chapter, DVD Disc 1 Track 4
[1] Mastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006) DVD Disc 1 Track 4
5CitationMastering the System episode 29
[2] MTS episode 29
Community
Athletics
Requires
swimming ability for underhooks while maintaining lockdown
Key muscles
shoulders, biceps, hip adductors
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Jaws of Life work?
The Jaws of Life is a critical transitional position from the lockdown half guard where the guard player establishes double underhooks on the opponent while maintaining the lockdown leg configuration. This is the essential intermediate step between the lockdown and the Electric Chair sweep/submission.
Where does the Jaws of Life come from?
Developed by Eddie Bravo as part of the 10th Planet lockdown system.
Is the Jaws of Life legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from guard score 2 points; IJF: restricted — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — groundwork from guard permitted …; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points portion; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — no penalty for playing guard; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Jaws of Life?
Danger rating 2/10. Transitional control position
How do I set up the Jaws of Life?
The standard setup chain: Establish lockdown half guard → Swim for first underhook → Swim for second underhook (Jaws of Life achieved) → Whip up → Attack: Electric Chair sweep/submission.
How do I defend against the Jaws of Life?
Standard counters include: Whizzer — establish overhook to deny the double underhook / Crossface — prevent the guard player from getting underneath / Posture up — create distance before underhooks are established.
What are the variants of the Jaws of Life?
Common variants: Jaws of Life to Electric Chair; Jaws of Life to Old School sweep; Jaws of Life to dogfight.
How effective is the Jaws of Life in competition?
Used in EBI and no-gi competition by 10th Planet practitioners.
What are common mistakes when doing the Jaws of Life?
Top errors to watch for: Not achieving double underhooks — single underhook is insufficient for the whip-up / Losing the lockdown while swimming for underhooks — must maintain leg control / Not transitioning to attacks — Jaws of Life should lead to Electric Chair or sweep.
What are other names for the Jaws of Life?
The Jaws of Life is also known as Jōzu obu Raifu, Jaws of Life, 10th Planet Jaws of Life.