Ashi Garami
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Ashi garami means leg entanglement. In modern BJJ it names a family of positions where you trap one of the opponent's legs between yours to control the knee and the hips. Each variation is named by where your legs sit, and each one exposes a different leg lock.
The ashi garami family
Each variation trades a little control for a different finish, and most leg lock systems move between them as the opponent reacts.
- Straight ashi
- Their leg between yours, your outside foot on their hip, your inside foot behind their hip or knee. The home of the straight ankle lock and a common start for the toe hold and kneebar.
- Outside ashi
- Your outside leg crosses over their thigh instead of sitting on the hip. It exposes the heel for the outside heel hook and stops them from turning away.
- Cross ashi
- Your legs cross over their hip with their foot across your body. It controls the knee line tightly and sets up the inside heel hook, often as a step toward the saddle.
- 50/50
- A mirrored entanglement where both players hold the same position, so inside position and the heel decide who finishes.
- The saddle (inside sankaku)
- Your legs triangle around their leg from the inside. The strongest control for the inside heel hook.
Getting into ashi garami
Most entries come from open guard: single-leg X off a standing opponent, butterfly guard as they step in, and shin-to-shin as they reach for your legs. From the top, players enter from the knee shield and half guard while passing. The first goal is always the same: get their knee trapped below your hips and their foot on your side.
What decides the position
The knee line decides everything. If their knee gets past your hips, the leg locks lose their leverage and they can pass or come up on top. Pinch your knees together, keep your outside foot active on their hip or thigh, and stop them from sitting up toward you.
Frequently asked questions
What does ashi garami mean?
Ashi garami is Japanese for leg entanglement. In BJJ it names the positions where you trap one of the opponent's legs between yours, including straight ashi, outside ashi, cross ashi, 50/50, and the saddle.
What is the difference between straight ashi and outside ashi?
In straight ashi your outside foot sits on their hip, which sets up the straight ankle lock. In outside ashi your outside leg crosses over their thigh, which exposes the heel for the outside heel hook.
Is ashi garami legal in IBJJF?
Straight ashi is legal at every belt, and the straight ankle lock from it is legal at every adult belt. Once your leg crosses their body above the knee and your foot passes their midline, as in the saddle and some outside ashi setups, it counts as knee reaping, which is legal only for adult brown and black belts in no-gi.
How do you get to ashi garami from guard?
From single-leg X when they stand, butterfly guard as they step in, or shin-to-shin as they reach for your legs. Off-balance them first, then trap the knee below your hips.
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