As a strict practitioner, you should be well-versed in numerous jiu-jitsu guard passing techniques, like the body lock pass, to excel in sparring and matches. A guard pass is a technique used in BJJ to weaken an opponent’s guard and gain dominating positioning.
A body lock pass is a technique in which a BJJ practitioner wraps their arm around the opponent’s waist and attempts to pass their guard. It is a ferocious and powerful guard pass that requires significant strength and pressure on the opponent.
The body lock passing technique has several distinct forms that are all as powerful. Still, it is critical to know how to execute it correctly. This article will teach you how to perform this guard pass and explain what it includes.
Gordon Ryan Body Lock Guard Pass
Gordon Ryan is among the top grapplers globally, evidenced by his several ADDC championships. Gordon employs a wide range of techniques when overtaking his opponents, such as the shoulder crunch Sumi Gaeshi sweep, the body lock pass, and others.
In the video below, Gordon Ryan teaches you how to do the perfect body lock pass.
Nicky Ryan Body Lock Guard Pass
Nicky Ryan has already established himself as one of the world’s best grapplers due to his incredible fighting abilities. Nick has employed various methods to defeat his opponents, including the body lock guard pass and others.
The body lock pass may appear to be a specific strength and pressure technique to the untrained eye. However, a clever strategy that necessitates a thorough awareness of several crucial elements is employed.
First, the body lock guard passer must be aware of keeping the bottom player’s hips caught to prevent the guard player from using a butterfly guard hook on the bottom player.
Second, the guard passer must control the opponent’s hand to prevent him from using an underhook.
Third, the guard passer must close the gap within his opponent to prevent him from recovering a half guard position or other kinds of guard.
In the video below, Ryan demonstrates a body lock guard passing at B-Team Jiu-Jitsu.
Passing a Butterfly Guard Using a Body Lock
The butterfly guard is one of the most influential positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, especially in no-gi. Besides, it is one of the most fundamental guard types that require the player to sit up on his buttocks in an open guard position.
Moreover, the butterfly guard player can use his shins and legs to sweep his opponent or leglock him, among other maneuvers.
In the following video, learn how to use the body lock passing technique to break the opponent’s butterfly guard.
Proper Hip Switch for a Great Body Lock Passing
Every move we make in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu requires us to move our hips. Besides, the hip switch is a fundamental movement that any practitioner should learn.
The hip switch is used to attack and defend by seizing the opponent’s hips, rotating them, and then putting them down or submitting them. It can also be utilized to get out of difficult situations or when your opponent has you on your back and you cannot get up.
In the video below, you’ll learn how to switch your hip when attempting a body lock pass properly.
Body Lock Pass Counter
The body lock passing technique is excellent for getting beyond an opponent’s guard. But it takes considerable strength and pressure, which prevents the opponent from regaining the guard, using an underhook, or making other escape attempts.
For this reason, to counter the body lock pass technique, you need to examine the following points:
- Make sure your feet are free to be used for an escape or transition. As a result, you can use a half or butterfly guard to protect yourself when in the body lock guard position.
- The body lock guard position is when your opponent uses his knees to crush your chest and prevent you from moving. You must remove his legs and raise them to a high place when that happens to create a space to escape from your current situation.
- Try to sit up, use a technical stand-up, and then a single leg takedown to reverse the game.
In the video below, Lachlan Giles teaches you how to defend a body lock guard pass in no-gi jiu-jitsu.
Conclusion
The body lock pass technique, especially from the butterfly guard, effectively gets beyond your opponent’s guard. It’s a fundamental guard pass that may be employed at any level of jiu-jitsu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does It Mean to Pass Someone’s Guard?
When someone tries to get beyond your legs to acquire side control, he’s attempting to pass your guard. In that instance, the guard passer will employ one or more guard passing techniques, such as the toreando, knee cut, double under, single under, over-under, etc.
What Is a Body Lock in BJJ?
A body lock is a grappling hold in which one controls an opponent’s torso by wrapping their arms around it.
The primary purpose of the body lock is to dominate and paralyze the opponent, preventing mobility. As a result, the body lock move can be used to take opponents down, get beyond their guards, or apply a submission hold.
