Review - The Z-Lock (Junny Ocasio)

 



Info

In this instructional Junny goes into great detail on the Z-lock submission/position. This is a new and rare position and there doesn't seem to be much info on it at the moment. I believe Junny is the only person to hit it in competition so far and the foremost expert on it. This is of course a no-gi instructional and the position itself is illegal in the IBJJF because of the reaping.

For those wondering what the Z-lock is, watch this video of Junny hitting it in a roll. He shows this set up in the instructional.


(Junny: "Hey is your knee ok?")

Organization

Junny put this together in a logical manner that makes it easy to understand. He first goes over the position, then shows various set-ups. Next he moves on to alternate finishes and finally he goes over troubleshooting and escapes. The organization is almost perfect. Everything is clearly labeled and you don't have to search to find the parts you're looking for.

Instruction

Junny goes over everything you need to know with this position, but doesn't waste time with stories or off topic ranting. He's straight to the point and easy to follow. He not only shows things, but explains why he does them. Many of the things he shows I haven't seen anywhere else and I love that he shows entries from the top and bottom. The info he has about double guard pull was also very interesting. He also shows a few alternate submissions such as the lateral kneebar and the aoki lock. Junny goes over everything you need to get into the Z-lock as well as multiple ways to finish. To be honest you most likely won't need all of these set ups because most people won't even know what's happening, but I'm glad he shows them.

Value

The value of this will depend on the person. If you only do gi bjj this won't be of much use because the position is illegal. On this other hand if you want to know more about leg locks or you feel you already know heelhooks, but you want something different this is a great addition. Because of the fact that this instructional only goes over 1 move don't expect it to change your game. However it is a move that can give you the edge on your opponents. It isn't the first place to go to learn leg locks, but once you have the basics down it's a powerful addition to your game. I think it will be most valuable to those who are already well versed in the heelhook game. Some of the entries are very similar and Junny shows how to go from the saddle to the Z-lock. 

Personal experience 

I've had this for a while and have been able to work through it. The Z-lock is an extremely powerful submission and once it is locked it is almost impossible to escape. I've been able to hit it in training and found it is a great addition to my leglock game. I'd almost given up on the "reaping" game and though it was outdated. The Z-lock changed my mind and gave me a high percentage option from the leg reap. I felt like something was missing from my game before and the reaping position wasn't nearly as powerful/useful as the saddle. With the Z-lock you have the same amount or even more control than you get in the saddle. This isn't a very long instructional, but it has everything you need for this position and more. For the price I think it is a great value. Especially if you want a cool new submission that looks flashy and other people don't know. In my experience the finish is extremely easy, but the setup can be difficult. Of course your mileage might vary.

Conclusion

The Z-lock is a rare submission, but is more useful than you might think. If you're looking for something new to add to your game or if you're leglock game has become stale and predictable check this out. Junny breaks down the position and shows you want makes it tick. Also don't worry about this conflicting with the leg lock knowledge you already have, this is completely different from other leg locking material and offers not an alternative, but another piece to the puzzle. The Z-lock is a rare and special position and whether or not you want to add it to your game is up to you. For those that do want to learn it, Junny's instructional will give you all the info you need to make this position work for you. 

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