Reverse Z

What does the position look like?

Components

• Pulling deep into your opponents armpit and pushing their head down with your elbow
• we want to be using our elbows to forcing their heads down to prevent back takes

• With the leg that is closer to your opponent it is supposed to be connected to their hamstring as a sticky hook
• this foot connection (butterfly hook) acts as a way to make meaningful inside connection to off balance your opponent
• this connection also prevents them from simply stepping over and passing your guard

Where does this position come up from?

• This position appears as someone tries to pass your guard with body-lock passing

• It will appear post takedown. For example if you get double/single legged and taken to the ground

• It will appear as you open your closed guard and seek hip height

Goal of the position

• “Reverse Z”, (RZ going forward) isn’t an advantageous position
• Why? There are a few factors
• Your opponent has great proximity to your waistline (the jeopardy point) and the ability to get your elbow separated from your knee by climbing up your body
• They have the ability to get your back flat to the mat

• So, if the goal of RZ isn’t to stick around what is it good for then?
• The main goal of RZ is to:
• off-balancing through sweeping to get into a more advantageous position one where you are not at risk of getting your back to the mat or your opponent separated your elbow knee connection
• gaining height over your opponent