Leg Locks
Leg locks are submissions that attack the feet, ankles, and knees: heel hooks, knee bars, straight ankle locks, and toe holds. They sit at the center of modern no-gi grappling and turn the legs into a primary line of attack.
Entanglements come first
Leg locks are won from control positions, the ashi garami family, single-leg X, and the saddle, not from grabbing a foot. Securing the entanglement and killing the opponent's rotation and hips is what makes the finish high-percentage and safe to drill.
The main leg lock positions
Straight ashi garami traps one of their legs between yours and sets up the straight ankle lock. Outside ashi crosses your outside leg over their thigh, which exposes the heel for the outside heel hook. The saddle, also called inside sankaku, the honey hole, or 411, triangles your legs around their leg from the inside and is the strongest position for the inside heel hook. 50/50 is a mirrored entanglement where both players can attack the same heel, so inside position decides who finishes. Single-leg X is the usual way in from open guard.
Knowing the rules
Which leg locks are legal depends on the ruleset and belt. The heel hook is the most powerful and the most restricted, so map your game to where you compete. Because every entanglement has a small set of reactions, the leg lock game charts unusually cleanly.
Community flows for Leg Locks
- How Lachlan Caught Marcelo with the Lachy Lock — This flow chart breaks down the key moments of how Lachlan Giles defeated Marcelo Garcia at ONE Fight Night 38. Marcelo brought his signature forward-pressure…
- Half Guard Kimura And Leglock Dilemma System — A half guard system that chains leg attacks, kimura, and armbar while addressing kimura prevention and top half guard passing options.
- K-Guard from Closed Guard: Entries and Upper Body Submissions — A system for entering K-Guard from closed guard, establishing control, and transitioning to triangles, armbars, and leg entries based on opponent reactions.
- Half Guard Kimura Attack System — using kimura attacks from bottom half guard when opponents defend leg locks
- Truck Position Review — If this comes up, entries into teh Truck position from various grappling scenarios
- leg lock escapes and transitions — my guide to escape from dominant positions while setting up leg attacks. focus on creating space, isolating limbs, and transitioning to positions where heel…
- Leg Entanglement System — Entering & controlling leg entanglements from standing & seated positions. Capitalizing on posture & stance to get to single leg X, w/ heel hooks & knee bars…
- Back Takes from Saddle — Saddle position entries and transitions designed to secure back control.
- Closed Guard Mastery — Modern sport BJJ from closed guard. Fundamental sweeps and submissions into inverted transitions, leg entanglements, and back takes. Chaining attacks when…
- Leg Lock Submissions — Lower body submissions from standing through guard passing. Dominant positions that set up heel hooks and knee bars, with transitions that create leg…
- BUTTERFLY HALF GUARD RECOVERY — Recovery from tight half guard w/ top head & arm control. Getting the butterfly hook in, creating space, & working back to a better position or into a leg…
- Mount Escape Leg Locks — Escaping mount by attacking the lower body. Creating single leg X opportunities that lead to heel hooks and knee bars, punishing opponent weight distribution.
Frequently asked questions
Are leg locks legal in BJJ?
It depends on the ruleset and belt. Straight ankle locks are widely allowed, while heel hooks are restricted under IBJJF gi rules and only legal for brown and black belts in IBJJF no-gi. Many modern no-gi rulesets allow them earlier.
What is the most dangerous leg lock?
The heel hook, because it torques the knee rather than the ankle and can damage the ligaments before you feel pain. That is exactly why it should be drilled slowly with a trusted partner.
Where do leg locks start?
From leg entanglements such as single-leg X, the ashi garami positions, and the saddle (inside sankaku). Getting to and keeping the entanglement is most of the battle.
What are the main leg lock positions?
Straight ashi garami, outside ashi, the saddle (inside sankaku, honey hole, or 411), 50/50, and single-leg X. Each one exposes a different finish, and most leg lock systems move between them.
Map your own Leg Locks game
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