Anyone who has been caught in the Lockdown can attest to how frustrating it is to get out, let alone to pass the guard. If you try forcing your leg out, you can end up hurting your knee, or if you decide to move your body forward, you will most certainly find yourself in the electric chair or electric chair sweep. Luckily, in the age of the internet, most solutions can be found only a click away. When doing a quick search on YouTube, several videos are featuring prominent world-class black belt instructors showing different variations of an easy escape. But, do these escapes really work against a Lockdown specialist?
The Lockdown
To the unaccustomed eye, the Lockdown is someone using two legs to trap one of the opponent’s legs, followed by a stretching motion for control, creating an uncomfortable, rather painful feeling of entrapment.
However, according to Lockdown specialist Magnus Hansson, black belt under Master Eddie Bravo – founder of the 10th Planet system, and 3rd degree blackbelt under Duda Suares, the Lockdown is much more than just the leg connection.
“Many people believe that the Lockdown is just the leg connection, but they are very, very wrong.”
Magnus continues to explain that the Lockdown incorporates four specific elements, such as leg connection, upper body control, an over-hook game, and an under-hook game.
“It’s not a Lockdown unless you have both leg entanglement and upper body control. The biggest problem with the Youtube escapes is that the guy using the Lockdown is often a white belt with minimal knowledge of the Lockdown. Secondly, the white belt doesn’t have any upper body control at all, so this by itself nullifies the Lockdown escape.” With this statement, Magnus makes a sharp observation. After rewatching all of the famous youtube Lockdown escapes, one can’t help but notice a common pattern of a lack of upper body control.
Magnus continues. “If you give a white belt a few instructions, let him have the Lockdown and a full upper body control. I promise that everybody in the dojo is going to be extremely frustrated, especially higher belts because there is no easy escape from the Lockdown.”
Thinking about what Magnus says, one crucial question comes to mind:
If the Lockdown is so effective. How come we don’t see it utilized in high-level competition like the IBJJF Worlds or ADCC?
“The Lockdown is relatively young. As with most innovative new concepts, in the beginning, very few people understand its true value and potential, until someone starts using it with great success. When this happens, more people will follow – especially the ones using a Gi.”
Is there a difference between using the Lockdown in NoGi vs the Gi?
“The Lockdown is even more effective in the Gi than in NoGi. Just look at Eddie Bravo. What does he roll with? Gi pants and ankle support! So there is a reason. The Gi offers much better grips and friction. The Lockdown is more effective in a Gi than in NoGi.”
To help spread knowledge about the advantages of the Lockdown. Magnus, together with Grapplinginstructionals.com, has released the world’s most complete Lockdown instructional. The 1,5-hour LOTUS LOCKDOWN includes the Lotus Lockdown, a modified and even more effective version of the Lockdown system, including never before seen details that will make your Lockdown almost impossible to escape.
“There is no question about it. The Lockdown with the Lotus modification is the world’s most effective half-guard system. End of story!”
Still in doubt? Check out www.grapplinginstructionals.com for further information on the Lotus Lockdown, the world’s most complete Lockdown instructional in a Gi.
Magnus Hansson, 3rd-degree blackbelt under Duda Suares (Gi) and Eddie Bravo’s 1st European blackbelt shows everything there is to know about the Lockdown in a Gi with new revolutionary details. Modified from its original, the Lotus Lockdown will change the way you approach this powerful half-guard. Let the Lotus Lockdown be your solution!
