BJJ Graph

Zombie

Dec 09, 20258 min read

The Zombie position represents a unique defensive structure within the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system, combining turtle mechanics with lockdown control to create both escape opportunities and offensive threats. This position is characterized by the bottom practitioner using active framing, lockdown entanglements, and constant movement to frustrate passing attempts while setting up sweeps and guard recovery.

Unlike traditional turtle positions where the practitioner curls into a defensive ball, the Zombie position involves strategic leg control, active reframing, and the ability to transition between defensive postures and offensive attacks. The position’s effectiveness lies in creating dilemmas for the opponent - every attempt to advance position opens up sweep or escape opportunities for the bottom player.

From the top perspective, Zombie Top requires patience, systematic pressure application, and understanding of lockdown mechanics to successfully pass or transition to dominant positions. The top player must balance maintaining control while avoiding the bottom player’s sweep threats, particularly the Old School Sweep and Electric Chair submission.

Understanding both perspectives of the Zombie position is essential for modern no-gi practitioners, particularly those training in the 10th Planet system or facing opponents who utilize deep half guard and lockdown-based defensive strategies.

Key Principles

  • Zombie is a transitional position, never a resting destination - constant movement required from both perspectives

  • Lockdown control fundamentally alters the passing equation by restricting top player’s base and mobility

  • Bottom player must balance defensive frames with offensive sweep threats to create effective dilemmas

  • Top player must use systematic pressure and crossface control rather than explosive force to pass

  • Position creates clear decision points where both players must read and react to opponent’s weight distribution

  • Understanding the biomechanics of lockdown tension is crucial for both establishing and defeating the position

  • The Zombie exemplifies 10th Planet philosophy of transforming bad positions into offensive opportunities

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeDefensive with offensive optionsOffensive/Controlling
Risk LevelMediumMedium
Energy CostMediumMedium
TimeShort to MediumMedium to Long

Key Difference: Lockdown transforms defensive turtle into offense

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain active lockdown tension to restrict opponent’s base and prevent them from completing the pass

  • Use near-side frame to create distance and prevent opponent from driving chest pressure into your upper body

  • Keep constant hip movement to prevent being flattened - staying on your side is crucial for escape options

  • Protect your back and neck from opponent’s crossface attempts through active head positioning and grip fighting

  • Create off-balancing opportunities through lockdown stretching and hip pressure to set up sweeps or guard recovery

  • Time your escape attempts with opponent’s weight shifts and base adjustments for maximum effectiveness

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Allowing yourself to be flattened onto your back without maintaining side positioning

    • Consequence: Loses all mobility and offensive options, allowing opponent to complete the pass easily to side control or mount
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant hip pressure and shoulder frames to stay on your side - use lockdown tension to prevent flattening and keep shrimping motion active

  • ❌ Releasing or loosening the lockdown grip prematurely before establishing better position

    • Consequence: Opponent immediately frees their leg and completes the pass with superior base and mobility
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain lockdown tension throughout transitions - only release when you’ve secured guard recovery or committed to a sweep with proper grips established

  • ❌ Failing to protect the head and neck from crossface attempts

    • Consequence: Opponent drives crossface across your face, flattens your shoulders, and achieves dominant chest-to-chest control making escapes nearly impossible
    • ✅ Correction: Keep active head positioning away from crossface pressure, use near-side frame to block opponent’s shoulder, and maintain far-side grip fighting to prevent crossface establishment

  • ❌ Being static and defensive without attempting sweeps or guard recovery

    • Consequence: Opponent methodically works to improve position, eventually achieving the pass or back take through sustained pressure and patience
    • ✅ Correction: Constantly threaten sweeps and guard recovery to keep opponent defensive - use lockdown stretches, hip bumps, and granby movements to create dynamic threats

  • ❌ Over-committing to sweep attempts without proper setup or timing

    • Consequence: Opponent counters the sweep attempt by using your momentum against you, achieving superior position or transitioning to back control
    • ✅ Correction: Set up sweeps with proper off-balancing through lockdown manipulation - wait for opponent’s weight shifts and base adjustments before committing to sweep execution

  • ❌ Allowing opponent to establish double underhooks or bodylock control

    • Consequence: Opponent gains complete control of your torso, can easily lift and manipulate your position, leading to inevitable pass or back take
    • ✅ Correction: Fight aggressively for underhook control, maintain active frames to prevent opponent from connecting their hands, and use lockdown to disrupt their base before they consolidate grips

  • ❌ Neglecting to create angles and space for hip movement

    • Consequence: Position becomes completely static, allowing opponent to methodically break down your defensive structure with sustained pressure
    • ✅ Correction: Use near-side frame to create space, shrimp your hips to create angles, and time these movements with lockdown stretches to maximize effectiveness and create escape opportunities

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain strong crossface or whizzer control to prevent opponent’s underhook from dominating position

  • Keep weight distributed through hips and chest to prevent opponent from creating angles for sweeps

  • Control opponent’s head position to limit mobility and defensive adjustments

  • Systematically work to extract trapped leg through posture and pressure rather than explosive force

  • Recognize opponent’s sweep attempts early (Old School, Electric Chair) and counter with weight shifts

  • Use strategic transitions to alternative positions when direct passing becomes stalled

  • Maintain patient pressure while advancing passing sequences without overcommitting to single approach

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Attempting explosive leg extraction against tight lockdown

    • Consequence: Wasting energy, potential injury to knee/ankle, allowing opponent to maintain defensive structure indefinitely
    • ✅ Correction: Use systematic pressure and posture adjustments to gradually loosen lockdown before attempting extraction, work passing sequences that don’t require immediate leg freedom

  • ❌ Allowing opponent to establish dominant underhook control

    • Consequence: Opponent controls posture, creates sweep opportunities, prevents passing progression
    • ✅ Correction: Immediately counter underhook with crossface or whizzer, fight for head control, prevent opponent from getting chest-to-chest connection

  • ❌ Maintaining too upright posture in response to lockdown tension

    • Consequence: Makes Old School Sweep and other back-takes highly available, loses control of opponent’s upper body
    • ✅ Correction: Drive weight forward through hips and shoulders while maintaining base, use crossface to flatten opponent rather than sitting upright

  • ❌ Ignoring opponent’s knee shield or frame creation

    • Consequence: Opponent re-establishes full guard or creates space for more effective defensive structure
    • ✅ Correction: Control opponent’s top knee aggressively, prevent frames from extending, maintain heavy chest pressure throughout passing sequence

  • ❌ Committing fully to single passing direction without reading opponent’s reactions

    • Consequence: Opponent anticipates pass, uses momentum against top player, creates sweep opportunities
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain multiple passing threats, change direction based on opponent’s defensive adjustments, use feints to create openings

  • ❌ Failing to recognize turtle transition opportunities

    • Consequence: Missing high-percentage back-take chances when opponent defensively turns away
    • ✅ Correction: Stay connected during opponent’s turtle transition, immediately establish back control hooks or front headlock control

  • ❌ Overcommitting to submission attempts from top position

    • Consequence: Losing top control, allowing opponent to escape or reverse position
    • ✅ Correction: Prioritize passing progression over submissions, only attack submissions when position is thoroughly consolidated

  • Lockdown - Core mechanic - Zombie utilizes lockdown as primary control mechanism

  • Half Guard - Parent category - Zombie is specialized half guard variation

  • Turtle - Related defensive structure - traditional turtle without lockdown

  • Deep Half Guard - Common transition target from Zombie position

  • Electric Chair - Primary submission threat from Zombie bottom

  • Old School - Primary sweep from Zombie position

  • Truck - Advanced variation with similar defensive structure

  • Back Control - High-value transition target for both top and bottom players

  • Side Control - Common target position for successful pass from Zombie Top

  • Rubber Guard - Related 10th Planet position - shares systematic philosophy