Body Lock Pass

Also known as: Bodylock Pass · Wrestle-Up Killer · Chest Wrap Pass

Lock your arms around their waist over one of their legs, glue your chest down, and methodically clear the knee line — the modern pressure-passing answer to dangerous open guards.

Guard Pass · Gi & No-gi · Difficulty 3/5 · Usually learned at Blue belt

Starts from Open Guard as the passer → lands in Side Control.

The details that make it work

1. Lock hands behind their lower back with one of their thighs pinned inside the lock.
2. Chest heavy, hips low; their guard cannot function while their hips are handcuffed to yours.
3. Clear the knee line with small hip walks and a backstep or knee cut once their frames die.

Where it goes wrong

• Locking high around the ribs, leaving the hips free — the lock lives at the waist.

How opponents counter it

• Frame inside the lock before it closes
• Turn to knees and wrestle up as the lock settles

Is the Body Lock Pass legal in competition?

Legal in all major rulesets at all levels (IBJJF, ADCC, sub-only). Rules change — always confirm against the current official rulebook for your event.

Related techniques

• Over-Under Pass
• Knee Cut Pass
• Double Under Pass

All moves from Open Guard · Back to Grapplepedia