10 Elbow Locks Every Martial Artist Must Know.
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Z-Lock·Straight Circle Martial Arts·Added by Admin
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Z-Lock
GenusZロック(Z Rokku)
TransliterationTranslation: Z-lock
Overview
The Z-lock wrist lock from seated guard is a flexion-based submission that uses a distinctive Z-shaped arm configuration to hyperextend the opponent's wrist joint from a bottom guard or seated position. [1] The attacker threads their forearm behind the opponent's wrist in a weaving pattern that creates a Z-shape when viewed from the side — the attacker's arm bends at the elbow, wraps behind the opponent's wrist, and the hand hooks back to create three connected segments. [1],[2] This configuration generates exceptional leverage because the Z-shape creates two fulcrum points acting on the wrist simultaneously. [2] From seated guard, the Z-lock catches opponents who post carelessly or extend their arms during passing attempts. [2],[3] The Z-lock is considered an advanced wrist lock variant due to the precise positioning required to establish the weaving grip. [3]
History & Origin
The Z-lock from guard is a specialized application that emerged as BJJ practitioners with backgrounds in traditional jujutsu and aikido brought their wrist-locking knowledge into guard play. [1],[2] The technique reflects the ongoing integration of traditional martial arts joint manipulation methods into the sport grappling guard system. [1] While less common than standard wrist locks, the Z-lock's multi-planar attack provides a surprise element that catches opponents unfamiliar with compound wrist manipulations. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
The Z-lock traps the opponent's arm in a Z-shaped configuration using the legs, applying pressure to the shoulder and elbow simultaneously. [1]
Lineage
The Z-lock was developed in modern submission grappling as a creative arm entanglement submission. [1]
Competition Record
Z-locks appear at advanced no-gi submission grappling events. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Hyperextension of the elbow joint — the hips drive upward against the posterior humerus while controlling the wrist
Joints Involved — Elbow (extension beyond normal ROM), wrist (stabilized), shoulder (isolated and controlled)
Force Vector — Posterior-to-anterior force on the upper arm with fixed distal anchor at the wrist creates a lever arm across the elbow
Leverage Principle — Hips act as the fulcrum — the longer the lever (full arm extension), the less force needed to hyperextend
Position & Entry
From top position — Isolate the arm, control the wrist, and apply hyperextension pressure against the elbow using body positioning
From guard — Secure wrist control, pivot to create the angle, and apply elbow hyperextension from the bottom position
Videos
The Exotic Z-Lock Submission - BJJ Leg Lock
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Z-Lock·MMA Leech
Here's a breakdown of one of the rarest and most exotic Leg Lock submissions in BJJ, The Z-Lock, which attacks primarily…
Easiest Z lock entry
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Z-Lock·RobertDiggleJJ
I stole this technique from Bobby Sandhu who stole it from Pierre Olivier Leclerc who apparently stole it from a blue be…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The Z-lock is a specialized leg lock submission that primarily targets the hip joint through internal rotation, performed from the diagonal ashi or cross-ashi position in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. According to MMA Leech, the technique involves establishing double ankle control, hooking the opponent's knee with the attacker's ankle, then shooting a leg between the opponent's legs into a leg knot position before controlling the secondary leg and applying pressure through hip internal rotation using primarily one arm. RobertDiggleJJ emphasizes the Z-lock's strategic advantage: unlike most leg locks requiring both hands on the submission, the Z-lock uses only one arm to attack the primary leg, leaving the other arm free to control the secondary leg, thereby immobilizing both legs and severely restricting escape options. Both MMA Leech and RobertDiggleJJ stress the importance of the transition sequence—moving from cross-ashi through specific grip transitions (over-under positioning) to diagonal ashi, then executing the Z-lock with precise foot-to-foot positioning and deep grip placement on the thigh. RobertDiggleJJ notes this submission is more dangerous than heel hooks and requires slow, controlled practice. The technique's effectiveness stems from controlling both limbs simultaneously while targeting a vulnerable joint through a difficult-to-resist motion at end-range internal rotation, making it a potent but technically demanding submission.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- MMA Leech — The Exotic Z-Lock Submission - BJJ Leg Lock: Provided detailed breakdown of Z-lock mechanics from competition footage, explaining the leg knot position entry, double ankle control transition, secondary leg control progression, and final hip internal rotation pressure application with one arm
- RobertDiggleJJ — Easiest Z lock entry: Explained Z-lock's strategic superiority in controlling both legs with one arm, detailed cross-ashi to diagonal ashi transition methodology using over-under grip sequencing, demonstrated foot-to-foot positioning, thigh grip placement, and emphasized safety through slow practice
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
5
High5/10
Wrist lock variant targeting carpal and radioulnar joints through forced deviation or torsion
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— kansetsu-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal submission technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The Z-lock is a wrist lock that creates a Z-shape with the opponent's arm — bending the wrist while the elbow is positioned at an angle that amplifies the force through the wrist joint (Danaher, New Wave Jiu Jitsu, 2020)
✓The Z-lock creates a compound submission: the wrist is hyperextended while the elbow is positioned to prevent the arm from straightening — both joints are threatened simultaneously
✓The Z-lock position: the opponent's arm is bent at 90 degrees at the elbow, then the wrist is bent backward — creating the Z-shape that gives the technique its name
✓The Z-lock appears from mount and side control: when the opponent tries to frame or push, their arm naturally forms the shape that the Z-lock exploits
✓The Z-lock's compound nature makes defence difficult: straightening the arm to relieve the wrist pressure exposes the elbow to an armbar
✓The figure-four grip is commonly used to apply the Z-lock: the interlocked arms provide the control needed to maintain both the wrist and elbow angles
✓The Z-lock is a modern innovation in competitive grappling — it combines traditional wrist lock mechanics with positional control in novel ways
Common Mistakes
!Not creating the Z-shape properly — the arm must be bent at 90 degrees at both the elbow and the wrist; incorrect angles reduce the submission's effectiveness
!Applying only wrist pressure without maintaining the elbow angle — both joints must be controlled simultaneously for the Z-lock to work
!Not using body weight to maintain the position — the Z-lock requires weight on the opponent's arm; hands alone cannot maintain the angles
!Releasing when the opponent begins to straighten — if they straighten, transition to an armbar; the Z-lock and armbar are complementary
!Applying with extended arms — keep elbows close to the body; the Z-lock works through compact leverage, not reaching
!Not practising the Z-lock from multiple positions — it is available from mount, side control, and during scrambles; train all entries
!Cranking too quickly — the Z-lock's compound nature can damage both the wrist and elbow simultaneously; apply with careful control
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Control the Arm — isolate and grip the target arm
2Position the Hips — align hips perpendicular to the arm for maximum leverage
3Pinch Knees — squeeze knees together to prevent arm extraction
4Extend for the Finish — bridge hips up while pulling the wrist down to hyperextend the elbow
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese BJJ — follows S字固め (esu-ji gatame) naming pattern
1BookJapanese BJJ — follows S字固め (esu-ji gatame) naming pattern
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese BJJ — follows S字固め (esu-ji gatame) naming pattern
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese BJJ — follows S字固め (esu-ji gatame) naming pattern
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese BJJ — follows S字固め (esu-ji gatame) naming pattern
Community
Athletics
Requires
fine motor control, grip sensitivity, quick hand transitions
Favours
dexterous hands with strong fingers
Key muscles
forearm flexors and extensors, intrinsic hand muscles
Sub-techniques
From Clinch
SpeciesThe Z-lock from clinch is applied during a standing clinch by trapping the opponent's wrist and bending it into a Z-shaped configuration where the forearm, wrist, and hand form angular zigzag segments. [1,2] The Z-shape is created by applying both flexion and radial or ulnar deviation simultaneously, stressing the wrist ligaments from multiple angles at once. [1] The clinch provides the body-to-body contact needed to trap the arm and apply the compound wrist manipulation before the opponent can retract. [1,2]
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From Prone Control
SpeciesThe Z-lock from prone control is applied against a face-down opponent by trapping the wrist and bending it into the angular Z-configuration, combining flexion with lateral deviation to create compound stress on the wrist joint. [1,2] The prone position immobilizes the opponent's body, preventing them from using rotation or posture to relieve the multi-planar wrist stress. [1] The attacker uses both hands to position the wrist precisely into the Z-shape and then applies progressive force to generate a submission. [1,2]
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From Seated : Guard
SpeciesThe Z-lock from seated guard is a wrist lock that bends the opponent's wrist into a Z-shaped configuration by combining flexion with lateral deviation. [1] Applied from guard, the attacker traps the hand and uses forearm pressure to create a compound angle that attacks multiple planes of wrist mobility simultaneously. [1,2]
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From Standing
SpeciesThe Z-lock from standing is applied by trapping the opponent's wrist and manipulating it into the zigzag Z-configuration while both fighters are on their feet, combining flexion with radial or ulnar deviation for multi-planar joint stress. [1,2] The standing position allows the attacker to use body rotation and weight shifts to amplify the compound wrist bend. [1] The technique requires precise hand positioning to create the correct angular segments and is typically initiated from a wrist grab, handshake trap, or clinch-range arm control position. [1,2]
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key difference between controlling the ankle with my arm versus my knee in a Z-lock?
Controlling the ankle with the back of your knee in the classic leg knot position frees up both of your arms to attack submissions like the toe hold or outside heel hook, whereas arm control ties up one of your limbs.
Why is controlling both of my opponent's legs important in a Z-lock?
If you're controlling both of someone's legs by tying them up together, it's significantly harder for them to escape the position.
Can I execute a Z-lock using both arms, or is it always a one-arm submission?
You typically execute a Z-lock submission with only one arm, though there is one variation where you can use two hands.
How does the Z-Lock work?
The Z-lock wrist lock from seated guard is a flexion-based submission that uses a distinctive Z-shaped arm configuration to hyperextend the opponent's wrist joint from a bottom guard or seated position. The attacker threads their forearm behind the opponent's wrist in a weaving pattern that creates a Z-shape when viewed from the side — the attacker's arm bends at the elbow, wraps behind the opponent's wrist, and the hand hooks back to create three connected segments.
Where does the Z-Lock come from?
The Z-lock from guard is a specialized application that emerged as BJJ practitioners with backgrounds in traditional jujutsu and aikido brought their wrist-locking knowledge into guard play. The technique reflects the ongoing integration of traditional martial arts joint manipulation methods into the sport grappling guard system.
Is the Z-Lock legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; IJF: banned — Only elbow joint locks (kansetsu-waza) permitted in judo — all other joint lo…; ADCC: legal — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC; Unified MMA: legal — Legal submission technique; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Z-Lock?
Danger rating 5/10. Wrist lock variant targeting carpal and radioulnar joints through forced deviation or torsion
How do I set up the Z-Lock?
The standard setup chain: Control the Arm → Position the Hips → Pinch Knees → Extend for the Finish.
How do I defend against the Z-Lock?
Standard counters include: Clasp Hands — grip own wrist to prevent arm extension / Stack — drive forward to compress the attacker and relieve elbow pressure / Hitchhiker Escape — rotate the thumb toward the mat and roll to extract the arm.
What are the variants of the Z-Lock?
Common variants: Standard wrist lock (kote gaeshi) (two-handed rotational lock on the wrist); Gooseneck wrist lock (flexion lock bending the wrist down toward the forearm); Standing wrist lock (applied during grip fighting or a standing exchange); Ground wrist lock (catching the opponent's posted hand from mount, side cont…).
How effective is the Z-Lock in competition?
Z-locks appear at advanced no-gi submission grappling events.
What are common mistakes when doing the Z-Lock?
Top errors to watch for: Not creating the Z-shape properly — the arm must be bent at 90 degrees at both the elbow and the wrist; incorrect ang… / Applying only wrist pressure without maintaining the elbow angle — both joints must be controlled simultaneously for … / Not using body weight to maintain the position — the Z-lock requires weight on the opponent's arm; hands alone cannot… / Releasing when the opponent begins to straighten — if they straighten, transition to an armbar; the Z-lock and armbar….
What are other names for the Z-Lock?
The Z-Lock is also known as Z Rokku, Z Wrist Lock, Z-Shaped Wrist Lock, Zed Lock.