BJJ Graph

Z-Lock Half Guard Bottom

Dec 09, 202515 min read

Z-Lock Half Guard Bottom is an advanced variation of the lockdown half guard system where the bottom practitioner uses a unique leg configuration to create a ‘Z’ shape with their legs while controlling the opponent’s trapped leg. This position combines elements of traditional lockdown with butterfly hook mechanics, creating a versatile platform for both defensive retention and offensive sweeping attacks. The Z-Lock configuration allows for greater mobility than standard lockdown while maintaining strong control over the opponent’s base.

The position is characterized by the bottom player having one leg creating a standard lockdown on the opponent’s trapped leg, while the other leg creates a butterfly hook or similar configuration that resembles the letter ‘Z’ when viewed from above. This dual-leg system provides multiple attack vectors including old school sweeps, electric chair attacks, and transitions to deep half guard. The Z-Lock is particularly effective against opponents who base out wide to counter traditional lockdown attacks, as the butterfly hook element allows for attacks to the opposite side.

Developed primarily within the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system and refined by lockdown specialists, the Z-Lock represents an evolution of half guard bottom concepts that prioritizes dynamic movement over static control. Success in this position requires excellent hip mobility, understanding of leverage angles, and the ability to chain multiple attacking sequences together to prevent the opponent from consolidating a passing position.

Position Definition

  • Bottom practitioner’s inside leg creates a lockdown configuration on opponent’s trapped leg, with the foot hooking behind opponent’s ankle and pulling it toward their own hip, securing the leg in place
  • Bottom practitioner’s outside leg creates a butterfly hook or similar elevation mechanism, positioned under opponent’s opposite thigh or creating a Z-shaped configuration when combined with the lockdown leg
  • Bottom practitioner maintains an active underhook on one side or controls opponent’s posture through collar grips, cross-collar grips, or overhook controls to prevent opponent from establishing heavy pressure
  • Opponent is positioned between bottom practitioner’s legs in a kneeling or combat base position, with one leg trapped in the lockdown while the other leg deals with the butterfly hook threat
  • Bottom practitioner’s hips remain mobile and active, constantly adjusting angle and creating space rather than remaining flat on their back under opponent’s pressure

Prerequisites

  • Opponent has established half guard top position or is attempting to pass half guard
  • Bottom practitioner has secured lockdown control on opponent’s trapped leg
  • Bottom practitioner has space to configure the outside leg into butterfly hook position
  • Bottom practitioner maintains some form of upper body control (underhook, collar grip, or overhook)
  • Opponent’s weight distribution allows for the Z-configuration without immediate crushing pressure

Key Defensive Principles

  • Maintain constant tension through both legs - lockdown pulls opponent’s ankle while butterfly hook creates elevation threat on opposite side
  • Keep hips mobile and angled rather than flat, creating difficult angles for opponent to consolidate pressure or advance position
  • Use the dual-leg system to create dilemmas - when opponent defends lockdown side, attack with butterfly sweep; when they defend butterfly side, attack with old school or electric chair
  • Control opponent’s posture through upper body grips to prevent them from establishing heavy shoulder pressure or crossface control
  • Chain attacks continuously rather than committing fully to one technique - use feints and combinations to keep opponent defensive
  • Maintain active hip movement to prevent opponent from flattening you to the mat and establishing smash passing pressure
  • Use the butterfly hook to prevent opponent from stepping over into mount or taking the back when they attempt to clear the lockdown

Available Escapes

Old School Sweep → Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 60%

Electric Chair Submission → Electric Chair

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 20%
  • Intermediate: 35%
  • Advanced: 50%

Butterfly Sweep → Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 65%

Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 40%
  • Intermediate: 55%
  • Advanced: 70%

Lockdown Sweeps → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 40%
  • Advanced: 55%

Underhook Sweep from Half → Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 60%

Opponent Counters

Counter-Attacks

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent bases out wide with their free leg to counter butterfly hook attacks:

If opponent drives forward with pressure attempting to flatten bottom player:

If opponent remains centered and defensive with good posture:

If opponent attempts to clear lockdown by straightening their trapped leg:

Common Defensive Mistakes

1. Remaining flat on back instead of maintaining active hip angle

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent establishes heavy shoulder pressure and crossface control, neutralizing lockdown and butterfly hook effectiveness while setting up smash passing sequences
  • ✅ Correction: Constantly adjust hip angle to stay on your side, using the lockdown and butterfly hook to prevent opponent from flattening you - think of creating a ‘Z’ shape with your entire body, not just your legs

2. Committing fully to one attack without maintaining the dual-threat system

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent focuses all defensive effort on the single attack being attempted, making it easy to defend and counter with passing sequences
  • ✅ Correction: Chain attacks together fluidly - feint old school to set up butterfly sweep, threaten electric chair to create old school opportunity - keep opponent guessing and defensive

3. Neglecting upper body control while focusing entirely on leg configuration

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent establishes dominant head control, crossface, or shoulder pressure that negates the effectiveness of lower body attacks and sets up guard passes
  • ✅ Correction: Maintain active underhook, collar grip, or overhook control throughout - upper body control prevents opponent from establishing crushing pressure and creates frames for sweeping leverage

4. Creating static lockdown without the dynamic butterfly element

  • ❌ Consequence: Position devolves into standard lockdown half guard with predictable attack patterns that experienced opponents can defend systematically
  • ✅ Correction: Keep the butterfly hook active and threatening - use it to elevate opponent, threaten sweeps to the opposite side, and create the unique dilemmas that define the Z-Lock system

5. Allowing opponent to control the pace and timing of exchanges

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent methodically breaks down defenses, establishes heavy pressure, and eventually clears the lockdown to complete passing sequences
  • ✅ Correction: Maintain offensive initiative even from bottom position - constantly threaten sweeps and submissions to keep opponent defensive and prevent them from settling into dominant pressure

6. Pulling lockdown too early before establishing proper butterfly hook configuration

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent immediately recognizes standard lockdown defense and implements appropriate counters before the Z-Lock system can be fully established
  • ✅ Correction: Set up butterfly hook first, then secure lockdown - this sequence makes it harder for opponent to predict and defend the position while giving you better control of timing

Training Drills for Defense

Z-Lock Configuration Practice

Partner starts in half guard top with good posture. Bottom player practices establishing the Z-Lock by first creating butterfly hook with outside leg, then securing lockdown with inside leg. Focus on smooth leg coordination and maintaining hip angle throughout configuration. 5 minutes each side.

Duration: 5 minutes per side

Attack Chain Flow Drill

From established Z-Lock position, bottom player flows through offensive sequence: feint old school sweep, transition to butterfly sweep attempt, switch to electric chair threat, return to starting position. Partner maintains defensive posture but doesn’t actively resist. Focus on fluid transitions between attacks while maintaining lockdown and butterfly hook control. 3 rounds of 3 minutes.

Duration: 3 rounds of 3 minutes

Counter Pressure Drill

Partner in half guard top applies 50% pressure attempting to flatten bottom player and establish crossface. Bottom player uses Z-Lock configuration to maintain active hip angle, creates space with butterfly hook, and counters with deep half entries or lockdown sweeps. Gradually increase pressure as bottom player improves. 4 rounds of 2 minutes.

Duration: 4 rounds of 2 minutes

Dilemma Creation Sparring

Positional sparring starting from Z-Lock Half Guard Bottom. Bottom player can only score by completing sweeps or submissions. Top player scores by passing to side control or mount. Emphasize creating genuine dilemmas where defending one attack opens another. 5 minute rounds with 1 minute rest.

Duration: 5 minute rounds

Escape and Survival Paths

Electric chair finish path

Z-Lock Half Guard Bottom → Electric Chair → Won by Submission

Sweep to mount submission path

Z-Lock Half Guard Bottom → Old School Sweep → Mount → Armbar from Mount → Won by Submission

Deep half to back attack path

Z-Lock Half Guard Bottom → Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard → Back Take Generic → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission

Butterfly sweep to submission path

Z-Lock Half Guard Bottom → Butterfly Sweep → Mount → Americana from Mount → Won by Submission

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner50%35%15%
Intermediate65%50%28%
Advanced78%65%42%

Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds

Expert Analysis

John Danaher

The Z-Lock Half Guard represents an intelligent evolution of lockdown mechanics that addresses fundamental weaknesses in traditional lockdown systems. The standard lockdown creates powerful control of one leg but leaves the practitioner vulnerable to pressure passing and crossface control from opponents who understand proper defensive posture. By incorporating a butterfly hook element with the outside leg, the Z-Lock creates a dual-threat system that forces the top player into genuine dilemmas - they cannot simultaneously defend against lockdown-based attacks to one side and butterfly-based attacks to the other. The biomechanical principle at work is the creation of opposing vectors of force that destabilize the opponent’s base regardless of which direction they commit their weight. However, the position requires excellent hip mobility and sophisticated timing to execute properly - practitioners must master the ability to maintain the Z-configuration under pressure while continuously threatening attacks to prevent the opponent from methodically breaking down their defenses.

Gordon Ryan

In competition, I’ve found the Z-Lock to be one of the most effective half guard variations against opponents who have excellent pressure passing games and understand traditional lockdown counters. The beauty of this position is that it keeps me offensive even when I’m technically on bottom - I’m constantly threatening sweeps and electric chair submissions that force my opponent to stay defensive and cautious. The key to making it work at the highest levels is maintaining relentless offensive pressure and never allowing the opponent to settle into a comfortable passing rhythm. I’ll fake the old school sweep to get them to base out wide, then immediately switch to a butterfly sweep when their weight shifts. Or I’ll threaten the electric chair to get them backing up, then transition to deep half when they try to pull their leg out. The position works because it creates genuine uncertainty - my opponent literally cannot defend everything simultaneously, so they have to choose what to give me. That’s the kind of position control I want to have even from bottom positions.

Eddie Bravo

The Z-Lock is one of my favorite developments in the 10th Planet system because it takes the lockdown to the next level of complexity and offensive capability. Traditional lockdown is powerful, but experienced grapplers learn to counter it by basing out wide and applying heavy shoulder pressure. The Z-Lock solves this problem by adding the butterfly hook element that creates attacks to the opposite side - when they base out wide to defend the old school, you’ve got the butterfly sweep ready; when they try to pressure through the middle, you’ve got the electric chair and deep half. It’s all about creating multiple layers of offensive threats that keep your opponent guessing and defensive. The position also fits perfectly into no-gi competition where you don’t have gi grips to rely on - the lockdown control and butterfly hook work entirely through leg positioning and hip movement. To really master it, you need to drill the hell out of transitioning smoothly between the different attacks while maintaining that lockdown control throughout. It’s technical, it’s dynamic, and it frustrates the shit out of people who think they can just smash through half guard.