An expansive body lock and smash-passing library with coach-level detail.
The Bottom Line
You learn how to get inside, pummel legs, and chain shin pin to body lock finishes. There is clear guidance for stiff arms, guillotine threats, and inversion counters. You will not get lapel-based gi passing; this is a no-gi, inside-pressure curriculum.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Coaches and nerds
Skip if: You hate big sets
Tech focus: Body Lock, Shin Pin, Smash Passing, Near Side Underhook, Leg Pummeling
Biggest takeaway: Inside wins before finishing.
📋 Jump to a section (Click to expand)
What You'll Learn
A stocky frame plus smart leg pummeling is a nightmare to retain against. Williams connects shin pin, smash passing, nearside underhook, and body lock mechanics into an 8-part library. It is structured, coach-friendly, and full of grip and head-position tweaks.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Body Lock
- Shin Pin
- Smash Passing
- Near Side Underhook
- Leg Pummeling
- Half Guard Counters
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Conceptual, Drill Heavy
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 6 hours and 4 minutes
- Volumes: 8
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I recommend this when you want one body lock reference that also teaches shin pin mechanics in depth.
Why Shawn Williams?
Shawn Williams is a Renzo Gracie black belt, respected commentator, and creator of the Williams Guard. He teaches with clear progressions and conceptual framing. His body lock material integrates passing families and counters cleanly.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Coherent, big library with counters and variants.
- Accessible teaching and lots of practical details.
- Great resource to compare body lock styles.
- Helps when opponents stiff-arm or invert.
- Shows entries that suit shorter builds.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Some believe YouTube covers enough for free.
- Large library may feel overwhelming at first.
- Pricey unless you catch a sale.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- The Body Lock Pass – More compact roadmap; easier entry point. (Price: $99.00, 6 vols)
- Interplay: High Step & Body Lock – Adds high-step and half-guard passing link-ups. (Price: $197.00, 5 vols)
- Tripod Passing: Beating Inside Position – Alternate inside routes when body lock stalls. (Price: $127.00)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View Body Lock The World on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
