Body Lock No-Gi BJJ: Passing, Takedowns & Clinch
The body lock is one of the most dominant control positions in no-gi grappling — whether you're passing guard, executing takedowns, or controlling the clinch.
Body Lock Guard Passing
The over-under body lock pass is the workhorse no-gi guard pass. Reach one arm over their hip and one arm under their far leg, lace your hands together. Drive your shoulder into their thigh as you stack their hips and walk around to side control. Stay heavy, keep your hips low, and never allow space between your chest and their body. Bernardo Faria built an entire competitive career winning multiple world championships primarily with body lock pressure passing.
Body Lock Takedowns
The standing body lock from behind is one of the most dominant takedown positions in wrestling. Once you establish the rear body lock, you can lift and dump to either side, execute a double leg from the clinch, or attempt the suplex. The front body lock is used to hip throw or turn and dump. Body lock entries come from sprawling on leg shots — they sprawl and you establish rear body lock, or clinch at chest level and lock from there.
Body Lock to Back Takes
The rear body lock is a direct back control precursor. Once you have rear body lock while standing, work for a seat belt transition — one arm above their arm, one across the chest. From standing rear body lock, force them to the mat by sitting to the side, ending in back mount. Any time you are close to a standing opponent with hands free, a body lock attempt is appropriate. The body lock is the universal no-gi clinch tool.