Introduction to Body Lock Passing
Body lock passing is an effective guard-passing technique applicable from both seated butterfly guard and standing positions where the defender's feet are stuffed. The method requires establishing double underhooks and maintaining superior head position as fundamental prerequisites for success.
Head Position and Hand Connection
The passer's head must remain lower than the defender's to maintain control and prevent the defender from winning head space. The passer connects both hands in a gable grip around the defender's torso, with one arm reaching slightly deeper for maximum pressure on the defender's midsection.
First Leg Stack
The passer brings both knees in front of one butterfly hook by pulling the defender's shin across the waistline. This is accomplished by sliding the leg up so the passer's knees are together, then spreading them apart to eliminate both of the defender's butterfly hooks.
Positioning the First Leg Over the Hip
The passer keeps the defender's knee pointing outward rather than upward to maintain balance and avoid sweeps. Once the passer slides out farther and the defender's knee is directed downward, the passer hikes the leg and places the knee into the space by the defender's hip while turning the head to the opposite side.
Second Leg Placement and Body Lock Maintenance
The passer repeats the stacking motion on the second side, jamming the leg underneath so the quad is stuffed inside behind the defender's buttocks. During this phase, the passer maintains a tight squeeze and strong body lock to prevent the defender from shrimping away and replacing the guard.
Controlling the Head and Preventing Escape
Once both legs are positioned, the passer's hand slides up from the body lock to get underneath the defender's head rather than over it, which allows better control and the ability to pull the defender closer. This hand positioning prevents the defender's shrimping motion from creating escape space.
Finishing to North-South Position
The passer completes the pass by moving quickly to north-south position, backstroking the hand in front of the defender's hip and transitioning over to establish control. This finishing position bypasses side control and places the passer in a dominant configuration.
Defending Against Guillotine and Headlock Attempts
When the defender attempts a guillotine or headlock in response to the passing pressure, the passer is not in significant danger because the defender lacks guard position and is on the wrong side of the passer's body to execute an effective submission. The passer can continue driving the pass while the defender is trapped in this defensive attempt.
Countering Defensive Shoving and Shrimping
If the defender shoves away to create space and replace the guard, the passer snakes the arm through both pushing arms to grasp the defender's head. The passer then pulls the defender back using a backstroke motion to return to the finalized control position and complete the pass.
Body Lock Passing - The Most Effective Passing Style?
Key Takeaways
- •Introduction to Body Lock Passing
- •Head Position and Hand Connection
- •First Leg Stack
- •Positioning the First Leg Over the Hip
Easily one of the most popular ways to pass the guard, at least in no gi grappling, is the body lock pass. In this video, I break down the steps and details, which will hopefully simplify the process of body lock passing and help everyone implement this strategy more effectively into their game. Hope you like it! If you’re interested in having me for a seminar, message me here or on other socials or email me at [email protected] Thank you for your continued support through watching and subscribing. Turn on those notifications to know as soon as I post! Hundreds more class instruction videos at Patreon.com/KnightJiuJitsu, BJJ Fanatics & Jiu-Jitsu X. Please be sure to turn on notifications for new videos if you haven’t, so you can find out as soon as I upload a new one each week. Become a member of this channel for exclusive class videos not available for free. Super cheap cost for access to lots of exclusive content. • Exclusive Class Content at Patreon.com/KnightJiuJitsu • BJJ Fanatics Instructionals here: https://tinyurl.com/y4ujekp6 • T-Shirts available here: tinyurl.com/wzu6ufb • Instagram @knight_jiu_jitsu_ • TikTok @knightjiujitsu
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does this video teach about body lock?
This video covers introduction to body lock passing, head position and hand connection, first leg stack. It provides detailed instruction from Knight Jiu-Jitsu.
How long does it take to learn body lock?
The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 9-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.
What are the key details for finishing body lock?
When the defender attempts a guillotine or headlock in response to the passing pressure, the passer is not in significant danger because the defender lacks guard position and is on the wrong side of the passer's body to execute an effective submission. The passer can continue driving the pass while the defender is trapped in this defensive attempt.
