BJJ Graph

Old School

Dec 09, 20258 min read

Old School position represents a critical battleground in modern half guard, where the lockdown creates a powerful control system that transforms half guard from defensive holding to offensive launching pad. This position gained prominence through Eddie Bravo’s 10th Planet system, establishing lockdown-based attacks as legitimate alternatives to traditional half guard approaches. The position exists in constant tension between bottom’s sweeping threats and top’s passing pressure, creating a dynamic chess match of control and counter-control.

From bottom perspective, Old School provides immediate offensive threats through the signature Old School Sweep, Electric Chair submissions, and various lockdown-based attacks. The lockdown’s figure-four leg configuration immobilizes the opponent’s trapped leg while creating leverage for powerful rotational sweeps. Combined with underhook and head control, bottom creates a multi-layered threat system that forces top into defensive reactions.

From top perspective, Old School demands sophisticated pressure management and positional awareness to neutralize lockdown threats while advancing toward passing positions. The whizzer and crossface create defensive structure that prevents sweeps, but maintaining this structure while working toward passes requires patience and systematic pressure application. Success depends on reading opponent’s transition windows and capitalizing on momentary lapses in lockdown tension.

Key Principles

  • Lockdown control immobilizes opponent’s base while creating sweeping leverage through leg entanglement

  • Bottom must combine lockdown with upper body controls (underhook, head control) for effective attacks

  • Top must establish immediate defensive structure (whizzer, crossface) upon recognizing lockdown

  • Position favors offensive action over static holding - both players must actively work toward advancement

  • Electric Chair threat emerges when opponent defends Old School Sweep, creating true dilemma

  • Timing sweeps during opponent’s weight shifts maximizes success probability

  • Top’s patience and pressure application eventually creates passing windows when bottom transitions

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeOffensiveDefensive with offensive options
Risk LevelMediumMedium
Energy CostMediumMedium
TimeShort to MediumMedium to Long

Key Difference: Lockdown creates sweep leverage vs pressure

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain deep underhook with elbow tight to ribs and hand gripping high on opponent’s back to maximize sweeping leverage

  • Control opponent’s head by pulling it down and across toward the underhook side, breaking their posture and preventing defensive posting

  • Keep lockdown tight by actively extending the controlling leg while hooking ankle, preventing opponent from extracting their leg or establishing stable base

  • Position shoulder under opponent’s center of gravity on the underhook side, creating the fulcrum point for the sweeping rotation

  • Time the sweep during opponent’s forward weight shift or when they attempt to clear the lockdown, capitalizing on their compromised base

  • Maintain tight connection between body and opponent throughout the sweep, preventing space that would allow them to recover base or posture

  • Drive the sweep in a circular motion from side to mount, using the underhook and head control to guide opponent over while hips drive forward and up

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Shallow underhook with elbow away from body

    • Consequence: Insufficient sweeping leverage allows opponent to base out and prevent the rotation, resulting in stalled position or loss of underhook
    • ✅ Correction: Drive underhook deep with elbow tight to ribs, hand gripping high on opponent’s back or over shoulder, creating maximum leverage for the sweep

  • ❌ Releasing or loosening head control during sweep attempt

    • Consequence: Opponent regains posture and posts hand to prevent sweep, often resulting in loss of position or successful pass
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant pressure pulling head down and across throughout entire sweeping motion, only releasing after achieving top position

  • ❌ Weak or absent lockdown allowing opponent’s leg to remain mobile

    • Consequence: Opponent establishes stable base with free leg movement, making sweep nearly impossible and increasing vulnerability to passing
    • ✅ Correction: Actively extend controlling leg while hooking ankle, creating constant tension that immobilizes trapped leg and prevents base establishment

  • ❌ Attempting sweep while flat on back rather than on side

    • Consequence: Geometric disadvantage prevents effective leverage, resulting in failed sweep and exposure to smash passing attacks
    • ✅ Correction: Turn onto side toward underhook, positioning shoulder under opponent’s center of gravity to create proper sweeping angle and leverage

  • ❌ Sweeping in linear direction rather than circular rotation

    • Consequence: Opponent can step over or post to defend, often resulting in scramble or loss of control during transition
    • ✅ Correction: Execute sweep in circular arc from side to mount, using underhook and head control to guide opponent’s rotation while hips drive up and forward

  • ❌ Creating space between bodies during sweep execution

    • Consequence: Opponent escapes rotation or recovers guard, negating sweeping momentum and often resulting in neutral or disadvantageous position
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain chest-to-chest connection throughout sweep, using underhook and head control to keep opponent’s weight on your body during rotation

  • ❌ Timing sweep when opponent has established strong base and posture

    • Consequence: Insufficient mechanical advantage to overcome opponent’s structural stability, resulting in wasted energy and lost opportunity
    • ✅ Correction: Wait for opponent’s forward weight shift or lockdown clearing attempt, capitalizing on compromised base for high-percentage sweep execution

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Establish whizzer immediately upon recognizing lockdown - delay allows opponent to secure better angles for sweeps

  • Drive heavy crossface pressure to turn opponent’s head away and limit their vision and breathing comfort

  • Keep hips low and weight distributed through chest into opponent’s sternum to flatten their posture

  • Post free leg wide with knee out for maximum base - narrow base invites sweeps and rolls

  • Maintain patience and avoid explosive movements that feed into opponent’s sweep timing

  • Work systematically to free trapped leg through hip pressure and ankle manipulation rather than forceful extraction

  • Use whizzer grip to control opponent’s upper body rotation and prevent them from coming up to dogfight position

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Posting weight on hands instead of driving chest pressure into opponent

    • Consequence: Creates space for opponent to execute hip escapes and sweep entries, significantly reducing control effectiveness
    • ✅ Correction: Keep hands light and use them only for balance - drive weight through chest into opponent’s sternum to flatten their posture and limit hip mobility

  • ❌ Pulling trapped leg forcefully in attempt to free it from lockdown

    • Consequence: Feeds directly into opponent’s sweep mechanics by creating the hip extension they need for Old School or Electric Chair sweeps
    • ✅ Correction: Work to free leg through systematic hip pressure, ankle manipulation, and proper angles rather than explosive pulling motions

  • ❌ Keeping free leg posted too close to body with narrow base

    • Consequence: Creates instability that makes sweeps and rolls much easier for the bottom player to execute
    • ✅ Correction: Post free leg wide with knee angled out at approximately 45 degrees to create maximum base and sweep resistance

  • ❌ Failing to establish deep whizzer grip immediately upon recognizing lockdown

    • Consequence: Allows opponent time to secure optimal angles and grips for sweeps before defensive structure is established
    • ✅ Correction: Thread whizzer deep under armpit as soon as lockdown is felt, gripping own thigh or opponent’s hip to create immediate control

  • ❌ Raising hips high off opponent’s body to escape lockdown

    • Consequence: Creates massive space underneath that opponent can use to reguard, sweep, or enter into more dangerous positions
    • ✅ Correction: Keep hips low and heavy on opponent while working small technical adjustments to address the lockdown

  • ❌ Allowing opponent to establish underhook on the crossface side

    • Consequence: Eliminates crossface pressure and gives opponent the grips needed for powerful sweeps and back takes
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain active crossface pressure and block opponent’s underhook attempts by keeping elbow tight to their body