Unpredictability creates an endless possibility of options in combat sports. By taking advantage of not just explosive strength but rather unpredictability, a far better-skilled opponent can be neutralized by somebody less skilled. In BJJ, the time it takes to receive a black belt is around ten years.
During that time, the black belt will have spent thousands of hours on the mat preparing him to impose his own game and to counter his opponent’s every move. On the other hand, white belts lack all of the above and are most often just trying to grasp what the heck is going on, only to be subjected to a variation of breath-stealing submissions. While the white belt path can be a long and challenging experience for many, the occasional white belt will actually dive so deep into a technique that he manages to catch a black belt by surprise.
Sounds too good to be true, right? However, just like in the story of David vs. Goliath, every black belt has a weak spot. This is logical since there is no way that any black belt can possess knowledge of everything in Jiu-Jitsu. On the contrary, most black belts are very proficient in certain areas and less skilled in others. So if you are a white belt with the intention of tapping a black belt, your best tactical possibility of how to tap a black is to be as unpredictable as possible. In short, you have to lure the black belt into an area where he is not familiar, as suggested by the words of the great Chinese military leader Sun Tzu who said: “In conflict, confrontation will lead to engagement, and surprise will lead to victory.”
The Lockdown – the king of surprises
One technique that is many black belts are still unfamiliar with is the “Lockdown,” a series of NoGi techniques made popular by the legendary Eddie Bravo. This simplistic but very effective half guard is easy to learn and this guard creates a strongly reinforced leg entanglement that is extremely hard to pass. The Lockdown is also the base for one of BJJ’s most unsuspecting high percentage submissions, namely the “electric chair.”
The Lotus Lockdown – Your secret weapon in a Gi
If you happen to be a white belt that prefers the Gi, your chances of tapping a black belt with the Electric chair are even higher! The main reason for this is the Lotus Lockdown, a modified Gi version of its original that will make your electric chair submission even more powerful! Surprisingly, the Lotus Lockdown is still relatively unknown by most BJJ Gi practitioners, no matter the belt level. Check out the link below on the best way on how to successfully use the Electric chair in a Gi using the Lotus Lockdown.
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!
