How Do You Counter The Body Lock From Standing?

Countering the body lock from a standing position involves several steps:

1. Always ensure you're winning the hip position. Your hips should be inside your opponent's hips.
2. Try to dig underhooks. If you can get your underhooks back, you're in a good position.
3. Try to get your hips back and create frames to force your opponent's hands open.
4. If your opponent has pulled your hips in and you can't create space, create big off-balances using uchi hooks. This forces your opponent to open their hands to brace themselves.
5. Square your hips up and pinch your elbows together while creating a frame on the hip. This helps to create space.
6. Try to throw your opponent by and then start looking to pummel the underhooks.
7. If your opponent has pulled your hips in but your hips are inside, look for uchis to force your opponent to open their hands.
8. Your goal should always be to get your opponent to open their hands when they get a body lock. A body lock can be a very strong position, so forcing the hands open is crucial.
9. If you need to accept the bottom position, do so with hooks and create off-balancing as you sit. If you create a big off-balance while sitting, it might be another opportunity for you to get your opponent to open their hands.