Lockdown Pass

Pass

The Lockdown Pass is used to escape and pass the guard when the bottom player has established a lockdown (a figure-four leg entanglement on one of your legs from half guard). The goal is to free the trapped leg, neutralize the whip-up sweep threat, and advance to side control or mount.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · Drive your hips forward and flatten your trapped leg straight to reduce the leverage of the lockdown figure-four.
  • · Establish a strong crossface or underhook on the side of your trapped leg to prevent the bottom player from turning into you or initiating the whip-up.
  • · Use a backstep or knee-slide angle change to create slack in the entanglement rather than pulling straight back.
  • · Heavy shoulder pressure pins the bottom player flat, removing their ability to create the hip movement needed to maintain the lockdown.
  • · Anticipate the electric chair or whip-up attempt by keeping your hips low and weight distributed forward.

Execution

  1. 1 Secure a strong crossface with your arm on the side of the trapped leg, driving your shoulder into their jaw to flatten them.
  2. 2 Walk your free leg up toward their hip to create a base, then drive your hips forward and straighten your trapped leg to weaken the figure-four grip.
  3. 3 Use your free hand to push down on their top knee or pry at their ankles to begin breaking the lockdown configuration.
  4. 4 Once you feel slack, backstep or windshield-wiper your trapped foot free, immediately driving your knee to the mat on the far side.
  5. 5 Complete the pass by sliding to side control, maintaining heavy crossface pressure and securing an underhook or controlling their far hip.

Common mistakes

  • × Trying to yank the trapped leg straight out without first flattening the opponent, which strengthens their lockdown leverage and exposes you to the whip-up sweep.
  • × Posturing up too high while still locked down, giving the bottom player space to initiate the electric chair or old school sweep.
  • × Neglecting the crossface and allowing the bottom player to get onto their side, which reloads their lockdown power and sweep mechanics.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the Lockdown Pass shows up.

Lockdown Top

Where it lands

The position you end up in.

Side Control Top

Use it against

The Lockdown Pass is an answer to these.

Lockdown Bottom