Obscure BJJ Techniques: The Squirrel Lock

Obscure BJJ Techniques: The Squirrel Lock

The Squirrel Lock is one of the most unusual and under-the-radar submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is essentially a kimura shoulder lock, but instead of using your arms to apply the torque, you use your legs while stuck on the bottom of side control. This sneaky technique catches opponents completely off guard because almost no one trains defenses against a leg-based armlock from that position.

The move is closely associated with the late Oliver Geddes, a Roger Gracie black belt from London known for his creative and effective game. Oli made the squirrel lock his signature weapon, using it successfully in competition and surprising even higher belts with it. He may not have invented it outright, but he refined and popularized it in a way that made it uniquely his own. Sadly, Oli passed away in July 2025, and many instructors now teach the technique as a tribute to his innovative approach to the art.

Why the Squirrel Lock Works So Well

In traditional BJJ, when you are on the bottom in side control, your main goals are usually to escape, recover guard, or create enough space to breathe. Attacking from there is rare, and attacking the opponent's shoulder with your legs is almost unheard of. That is exactly what makes the squirrel lock so effective. Your opponent is focused on pinning you down, controlling your hips or head, and they rarely expect their far arm to suddenly become trapped in a leg entanglement.

The pressure feels exactly like a standard kimura, but because your legs are much stronger than your arms in many angles, the torque can be devastating. It can force an immediate tap, cause your opponent to roll over and give up position, or even lead to a sweep back to top control. Best of all, it works in both gi and no-gi, and it is especially punishing when your opponent tries to squeeze you tighter.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Start from the bottom of side control. Your opponent has their chest heavy on you, perhaps with a crossface or underhook.

First, secure a deep grip on their far-side arm. Use the arm closest to their body to thread under and grab their wrist or sleeve firmly. This grip is crucial because it helps control their arm while your legs do the work.

Next, bring your near-side leg into play. Slide your knee or shin deep into the crook of their trapped elbow, almost like setting up an aggressive spider guard hook. This creates the initial control and prevents them from easily pulling the arm free.

Then swing your far leg over the top of their trapped upper arm. Hook it securely, similar to how you would finish a triangle or use a butterfly hook. Your two legs should now form a tight figure-four style entanglement around their shoulder and arm.

Once the legs are locked in, extend your hips and straighten your legs while maintaining the wrist grip with your hand. This creates the classic kimura torque on the shoulder. Bridge or hip escape slightly if needed to increase the angle. The finish is clean and powerful, often catching people before they even realize the threat exists.

Some variations allow you to feed your foot deeper or adjust the leg position for extra leverage if they start to defend. If they roll to escape, you can often follow and end up on top while keeping the lock.

Training Tips and Common Mistakes

Drill this slowly at first. The leg positioning can feel awkward until you get the timing right. Focus on getting that deep elbow hook with your shin before bringing the second leg over. Many people rush the second leg and lose control.

A common mistake is neglecting the hand grip. Your arm does not apply the main pressure, but it keeps their wrist from escaping and helps guide the arm into the right angle. Another error is trying it when your opponent has perfect posture and tight control. It works best when they commit heavily to the pin or when you have already created a little space with a frame or hip movement.

Because it is so obscure, your training partners will have zero muscle memory for defending it. Use that to your advantage in sparring. Start from bad positions on purpose so you get comfortable hitting it when you are truly stuck.

When and Where to Use It

The squirrel lock shines from bottom side control, but you can adapt the idea from north-south or even certain half guard variations. It is a perfect "hail mary" option when you are being smashed and traditional escapes are not working. In competition, it has scored many surprise wins because referees and opponents alike are not expecting a leg kimura from such a defensive spot.

If you want to see it in action, search for old footage of Oli Geddes competing. There are also instructional clips online showing the exact setup he used, including detailed breakdowns from side control.

The squirrel lock reminds us that BJJ is full of hidden gems. You do not need flashy acrobatics or complex sequences to be dangerous. Sometimes the most effective moves are the ones almost no one knows about. Give the squirrel lock a try in your next class and watch the surprised reactions when it lands. It is a fitting tribute to creative minds like Oli Geddes who keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible on the mats.

Oss.