Standard Side Body Lock TD

Genus

横ボディロック(Yoko Bodi Rokku)

Hybrid

Translation: standard side body lock takedown

Overview

The Standard Side Body Lock TD is the genus-level execution where the attacker, locked onto the opponent's side, uses a hip bump and rotational drive to topple the opponent laterally to the mat. [1] The attacker plants the inside hip against the opponent's near hip, locks the grip tight, then simultaneously bumps the hip upward and drives the upper body downward in a rotational arc. [1],[2] The finish places the attacker in side control or a scramble position depending on the angle of the takedown. [2] Timing the hip bump with the opponent's movement greatly increases the technique's effectiveness. [2],[3]

Also known as
Side Bear Hug TD[1]Lateral Waist Lock Takedown[2]Bochny ZakhvatRU[3]

History & Origin

This fundamental side body lock technique has been practised across wrestling disciplines as a reliable clinch takedown option. [1] It gained visibility in MMA through fighters who used the lateral angle to bypass front-facing takedown defences. [2],[3]

Effectiveness

The side body lock takedown exploits a lateral angle that makes it difficult for the opponent to counter with standard hip defence. [1] The side position gives the attacker rotational leverage that can topple opponents who successfully defend front and rear body lock attempts. [1]

Lineage

The standard side body lock takedown variant is a core Greco-Roman and freestyle technique. [1]

Competition Record

Commonly seen in international wrestling competition at all levels. [1]

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Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary ActionChest-to-chest connection with locked hands — body lock controls the opponent's torso as a single unit
Joints InvolvedAttacker's hips (lifting or driving), opponent's spine (compressed within the lock), shoulders (restricted)
Force VectorVaries — front body lock uses lateral or backward arching force; rear body lock uses lift and rotation
Takedown MechanicControlling the torso eliminates independent limb posting — opponent cannot base out effectively

Position & Entry

From clinch rangeClose the distance, secure a body lock around the opponent's torso, and drive, lift, or trip to complete the takedown
From underhook battleWin inside position, transition to body lock, and drive through to the mat

Variants

Front body locksecuring the lock face-to-face and driving laterally or backward
Rear body locksecuring from behind for mat returns or lifts
Side body lockangled body lock for trips and throws
Body lock to tripcombining the lock with a foot trip for the finish

Videos

3 Russian Tie Throws (SAMBO Techniques)

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Standard Side Body Lock TD·Jeff Chan MMAShredded ·Added by Admin

In this video, @sambofusion9486 teaches 3 throws using the Russian tie! Train like a fighter & get access to my new p

Basic CLINCH Bodylock Takedowns for EVERYONE!

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Standard Side Body Lock TD·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian

This video I teach my morning class a basic series I like from the pummel position. Check out the details and you are s

The 'Secret' To Body Lock Takedowns + 2 Submissions (Kimura + Choke)

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Standard Side Body Lock TD·TRITAC Martial Arts

Your body is unique—your training should be too. Take our survey to get a FREE 14-day Jiu-Jitsu plan custom-tailored to

1 / 2
3 videos

What Instructors Say

The standard side body lock takedown is executed by establishing a body lock from a clinch position, typically after pummeling to achieve control. Instructors agree on the fundamental mechanics: the practitioner drops their level through the opponent's chest and secures the body lock at the kink of the hips—the space between the floating ribs and hip socket—rather than around the center of the back where stronger musculature provides better defense. TRITAC Martial Arts emphasizes this anatomical target as the critical control point where minimal strength achieves maximum leverage. Jeff Chan MMAShredded details the oblique grip establishment and the importance of leg placement, specifically hooking the inner thigh rather than the leg itself to neutralize flexibility-based defenses, combined with a powerful arm pull that transforms the attacker into an obstacle the opponent trips over. TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian focuses on clinch-based entry through pummeling sequences, maintaining high posture to prevent headlock counters, and adapting the takedown method based on opponent resistance—using either a lifting action or a knee trip depending on defensive positioning. All three instructors agree that maintaining connection and controlling the opponent's hip is essential, though they emphasize different aspects: Jeff Chan stresses the grip mechanics and leg hook placement, TRITAC highlights the anatomical targeting and chest-driven pressure, and Coach Brian prioritizes clinch position management and adaptive finishing options.

Synthesized from 3 instructors

  • Jeff Chan MMAShredded3 Russian Tie Throws (SAMBO Techniques): Detailed the oblique grip establishment from the two-on-one, the mechanics of leg hook placement on the inner thigh, the importance of the hard arm pull to create a solid base, and finishing variations including leg sweeps and secondary options.
  • TRITAC Martial ArtsThe 'Secret' To Body Lock Takedowns + 2 Submissions (Kimura + Choke): Emphasized the precise anatomical target of the body lock at the hip kink (between floating ribs and hip socket), the role of chest-driven pressure over pure strength, the pummeling entry sequence, and the adaptation to take the back if the initial takedown isn't available.
  • TeachMeGrappling Coach BrianBasic CLINCH Bodylock Takedowns for EVERYONE!: Focused on clinch-based entry mechanics, high posture maintenance to defend against headlock counters, pummeling sequences when initial grip is unavailable, and tactical variations including lifting versus knee trips based on opponent's defensive pressure.

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Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

5
High5/10

Lateral body lock takedown; shoulder/hip impact

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate
Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

IJF — Legal takedown technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF
UWW — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF
Unified MMA — Legal takedown technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF
ADCC — Legal, scored 2-4 points in second half of match
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF
FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal — all takedowns permitted
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF
FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF

Training Notes

From the side clinch, bump your inside hip into their near hip while pulling their far hip toward you with the lock
Step your outside foot behind their far ankle as you rotate them over your hip
Drive your shoulder across their body as they fall to secure top position
The motion is like closing a door — your hip is the hinge, their body is the door
Keep constant chest-to-side pressure to prevent them creating space
Time the hip bump with their movement — catch them mid-step for best results

Common Mistakes

!Trying to trip without the hip bump — the bump loads their weight onto the blocking foot
!Not stepping behind the far foot, so they simply step out and recover
!Letting the chest separate from their body during the rotation, losing all pressure
!Rotating too slowly, giving them time to pummel or re-square
!Landing on top but without head control, letting them turtle and escape
!Using too much arm strength instead of hip-driven rotation

Related Techniques

Counter Techniques

Setup Chain

1Close Distanceuse strikes or feints to enter clinch range
2Establish the Lockwrap arms around the opponent's torso with hands clasped
3Hip Pressuredrive hips into opponent to control their movement
4Lift or Tripelevate the opponent or use a trip to bring them to the mat

Sources & References

Primary Source

Japanese amateur wrestling terminology

1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology

Japanese amateur wrestling terminology

2OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology

Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords

3CitationJapanese amateur wrestling terminology

Standard katakana transliteration used in Japanese wrestling (レスリング)

Community

Athletics

Requires

upper body squeeze strength, lifting power, hip drive

Favours

thick chest and arms for tight lock, strong lower back for lifts

Key muscles

pectorals, biceps, erector spinae, glutes

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I establish a solid grip when entering the body lock?

Work on pommeling to get underneath your opponent, then establish your grip by 'kinking' at the point where their arm is protecting their body. TRITAC Martial Arts emphasizes that you should be adding movement and trying different approaches in conjunction with each other.

What should I do if I end up taking the back instead of the takedown?

Don't worry—if you maintain your body lock grip and adjust with a level change and duck, you can seamlessly transition to taking the back without losing your position. TRITAC Martial Arts notes that these options work together naturally once you have the body lock.

How do I avoid getting caught in a headlock when setting up the body lock from clinch?

When you come into a double under clinch position, stand up with a solid base so that if your opponent tries to headlock you, you're in a strong defensive posture. Coach Brian emphasizes not being in a compromised position where you're vulnerable to headlocks.

How does the Standard Side Body Lock TD work?

The Standard Side Body Lock TD is the genus-level execution where the attacker, locked onto the opponent's side, uses a hip bump and rotational drive to topple the opponent laterally to the mat. The attacker plants the inside hip against the opponent's near hip, locks the grip tight, then simultaneously bumps the hip upward and drives the upper body downward in a rotational arc.

Where does the Standard Side Body Lock TD come from?

This fundamental side body lock technique has been practised across wrestling disciplines as a reliable clinch takedown option. It gained visibility in MMA through fighters who used the lateral angle to bypass front-facing takedown defences.

Is the Standard Side Body Lock TD legal in competition?

IJF: legal — Legal takedown technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, scored as takedown (2 points); UWW: legal — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman; Unified MMA: legal — Legal takedown technique; ADCC: legal — Legal, scored 2-4 points in second half of match; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal — all takedowns permitted; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal; NCAA Folkstyle: legal — Legal, scored as takedown (2 points)

How dangerous is the Standard Side Body Lock TD?

Danger rating 5/10. High — lateral body lock takedown; shoulder/hip impact

How do I set up the Standard Side Body Lock TD?

The standard setup chain: Close Distance → Establish the Lock → Hip Pressure → Lift or Trip.

How do I defend against the Standard Side Body Lock TD?

Standard counters include: Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attempt / Underhook Pummeling — fight for inside position to neutralize the lock / Hip Switch — rotate hips to break the grip angle and create separation / Knee Tap — redirect opponent's momentum with a quick leg attack.

What are the variants of the Standard Side Body Lock TD?

Common variants: Front body lock (securing the lock face-to-face and driving laterally or b…); Rear body lock (securing from behind for mat returns or lifts); Side body lock (angled body lock for trips and throws); Body lock to trip (combining the lock with a foot trip for the finish).

How effective is the Standard Side Body Lock TD in competition?

Commonly seen in international wrestling competition at all levels.

What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Side Body Lock TD?

Top errors to watch for: Trying to trip without the hip bump — the bump loads their weight onto the blocking foot / Not stepping behind the far foot, so they simply step out and recover / Letting the chest separate from their body during the rotation, losing all pressure / Rotating too slowly, giving them time to pummel or re-square.

What are other names for the Standard Side Body Lock TD?

The Standard Side Body Lock TD is also known as Yoko Bodi Rokku, Side Bear Hug TD, Lateral Waist Lock Takedown, Bochny Zakhvat.