Body lock (standing)
Both arms locked around their waist, chest to chest or from the side. One of the safest ways to control a standing opponent: it sets up trips and throws and keeps you out of guillotines.
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Essentials
Both arms locked around their waist while standing. It’s the safest upper-body control in jiu-jitsu: your head stays clear of guillotines and you can trip or throw them.
- Lock your hands low on their back
- Head tight to their chest or side
- Trip or walk them to the mat
- Pummel underhooks back in
- Break your grip or throw you
- Your hips under theirs
- Lock low, not around the chest
- Locking high around their chest
- Hips too far back
Techniques to learn
Each one opens its own page and video.
Where it leads
- Moves from here
- Side control (Yoko Shiho Gatame)Back controlStanding
If this happens…
- they push your head awayStep in and trip them in that direction
- they turn their backFollow and take the back standing
Advanced detailsTransitions, threats, reactions, troubleshooting and a sparring drill
1. Overview
Both arms locked around their waist, chest to chest or from the side. One of the safest ways to control a standing opponent: it sets up trips and throws and keeps you out of guillotines.
Key controls
- Hands locked low on their back (gable or S-grip)
- Head tight to their chest or to the side
- Your hips close and under theirs
- Elbows tight to their sides
In this position
3 transitions · 0 sweeps · 0 submissions · 1 takedowns · 3 reactions · 2 troubleshooting fixes · 1 sparring exercise · 3 techniques