How to do the Body Lock pass in BJJ

The body lock pass is a BJJ technique used to pass an opponent’s guard and as the name suggests, it is done by locking your arms around the opponent’s body (usually around their hips). If done correctly, you should pass into the side control position with a dominant underhook. Over the years, the likes of Gordon Ryan, Nicky Rodriguez, and Lachlan Giles have all specialized at this pass at the highest levels of Jiu Jitsu.

How to do the body lock pass

1. Start in your opponent’s half or butterfly guard, with your knees on the ground.
2. Place your left hand on your opponent’s hip, and your right hand on their left sided hip.
3. Stand up quickly and take a step back with your right foot. At the same time, bring your hands up and wrap them around your opponent’s torso, just below their armpits, forming a body lock.
4. Keep your head close to your opponent’s chest to maintain control and prevent them from getting their guard back.
5. Step your right foot back towards your opponent and lower your hips, placing them on top of their hips to pin them down.
6. Use your body lock to twist your opponent’s torso to the left or right, opening up their guard.
7. Use your left hand to push your opponent’s right knee down to the mat, while your right hand grabs their left ankle.
8. Step your left foot over your opponent’s right leg and pass it to the other side, using your right hand to pull their left ankle with you.
9. Once you’ve passed their guard, you can release the body lock and transition into a dominant position, such as side control or mount.

Remember to keep your weight distributed evenly over your opponent to maintain control and prevent them from escaping. Also, keep your movements smooth and controlled to avoid giving your opponent any openings to counterattack. With practice, the body lock pass can become an effective tool in your BJJ arsenal.

Does the body lock pass work in MMA?

Whilst the body lock is certainly legitimate in a grappling setting, it’s less commonly used in MMA with strikes involved. In short, the effectiveness of the body lock pass in MMA will depend on the specific situation and the skill level of the practitioners involved.

In MMA, fighters are allowed to use strikes, which can make it more difficult to execute a technique like the body lock pass. If an opponent is able to strike effectively while defending the pass, it can be challenging to maintain control and complete the technique. Additionally, if the person attempting the pass is not able to complete it quickly, they may be vulnerable to strikes from their opponent.

That being said, the body lock pass can still be effective in MMA if executed properly. The key is to use it in the right situation, such as when the opponent is not in a position to strike effectively, and to be able to complete the pass quickly and smoothly to avoid taking damage.

In general, the effectiveness of the body lock pass in MMA with strikes will depend on the individual fighter’s skill level and ability to adapt to the situation. It is important to train and practice the technique in both BJJ and MMA contexts to develop the skills necessary to execute it effectively in a real fight.

Using the body lock in the gi

The body lock pass can be done in the gi and it can actually provide additional grips and leverage points to execute the technique.

When performing the body lock pass in the gi, the same principles apply as in no-gi. You want to start in your opponent’s closed guard, establish a body lock by wrapping your arms around their torso, and use your hips and weight to pass their guard.

However, in the gi, you can use the lapels and sleeves as additional grips to control your opponent’s movement and prevent them from regaining guard. For example, you can use your right hand to grip the bottom of your opponent’s left lapel and pull it tight, while using your left hand to grip their right sleeve and pull it down. This will prevent your opponent from using their arms effectively to defend against the pass.

Once you’ve passed your opponent’s guard, you can use the gi grips to maintain control and transition to a dominant position, such as side control or mount.

Overall, the body lock pass can be an effective technique in both no-gi and gi BJJ, and the gi can provide additional opportunities for grips and control. However, it is important to train and practice the technique in both contexts to develop the necessary skills and adapt to different situations. Always remember, you could be more open to collar chokes as well whilst going for this pass in the gi.

How to defend the body lock pass

Defending against the body lock pass in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) can be challenging, but there are several techniques and strategies you can use to prevent your opponent from passing your guard. Here are some basic steps to defend against the body lock pass:

1. Keep your hips off the floor: To prevent your opponent from initiating the body lock pass, you can keep your hips off the floor and use your legs to control their movement. This will make it harder for them to establish the necessary grips to execute the pass.
2. Break the body lock: If your opponent has already established a body lock, you can try to break their grip by using your elbows or hands to push their arms away from your body. Once you’ve broken the body lock, you can work to regain guard or transition to a different position.
3. Use frames: Frames are a key concept in BJJ and can be used to prevent your opponent from getting too close and establishing the body lock. Use your arms and legs to create frames between you and your opponent, and use them to push them away if they get too close.
4. Hip movement: Use your hips to move in a circular motion, which can disrupt your opponent’s balance and prevent them from completing the pass.
5. Counterattack: If your opponent is committed to the body lock pass and you are unable to prevent it, you can try to counterattack by sweeping them or taking threatening chokes. This can be a risky strategy, but it can also be effective if executed properly.

Remember, the key to defending against the body lock pass is to stay calm, maintain good posture, and use your techniques and strategies effectively. With practice and experience, you can become more proficient at defending against the body lock pass and other common techniques in BJJ.