Lockdown
Position
Also known as:
Scorpion Lock
The Lockdown is a half guard control position where the bottom player entangles the opponent's trapped leg using a figure-four leg configuration, threading their outside foot behind the opponent's ankle and locking it with the inside leg. It immobilizes the top player's leg, disrupts their base, and creates opportunities for sweeps, back takes, and submissions from half guard bottom.
Quick Reference
Key principles
- · The figure-four leg entanglement must hyperextend the opponent's trapped leg by driving your hips away while pulling their ankle toward you with the lock.
- · Flattening the opponent's hips by stretching their leg out neutralizes their crossface pressure and forward driving ability.
- · Combining the leg entanglement with an underhook or whip-up motion on the same side creates the leverage needed to sweep or take the back.
- · Keeping your hips close to the opponent initially to secure the lock, then extending away to activate the stretch, maximizes control.
- · Anticipate the top player trying to pummel their leg free by maintaining constant downward pressure with your locking foot behind their ankle.
Execution
- 1 From half guard bottom, thread your outside leg over the opponent's trapped leg and hook your foot behind their ankle or lower calf.
- 2 Bring your inside leg underneath and lock it over your outside foot's ankle, creating a tight figure-four around their leg.
- 3 Extend your hips downward and away from the opponent to stretch their trapped leg straight, flattening their base.
- 4 Secure an underhook on the same side as the trapped leg or establish a body lock to prevent them from disengaging.
- 5 Use the immobilization to set up sweeps like the electric chair or old school, or transition to deep half or back attacks.
Common mistakes
- × Locking the figure-four too high on the opponent's thigh instead of catching near the ankle, which allows them to easily extract their leg.
- × Failing to extend the hips away after securing the lock, leaving the top player with enough base to maintain pressure and pass.
- × Focusing only on the leg entanglement without securing upper body control, allowing the opponent to crossface and flatten you while working to free their leg.
From the bottom
What the bottom grappler is working toward from Lockdown.
2 less common
On top
The top grappler's options against Lockdown.
