Leg Lock

The Leg Lock is a submission technique in grappling arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, focusing on attacking the opponent’s lower limbs—feet, ankles, knees, or hips. This category includes various submissions, such as the Straight Ankle Lock, Heel Hook, Kneebar, Calf Slicer, and Toe Hold. Leg locks aim to hyperextend, compress, or twist the joints, leveraging control and isolation of the opponent’s leg to force a tap.

Key Concepts

Joint Locks

  • Leg locks target specific joints, such as the ankle, knee, or hip, depending on the variation.

Control and Isolation

  • Success relies on controlling the opponent’s leg and hips to limit movement and prevent escape.

Leverage

  • Using proper alignment, grips, and body positioning maximizes the force applied to the targeted joint.

General Execution Steps

Control the Opponent’s Leg

  • Secure one or both legs by gripping the ankle, knee, or thigh, ensuring tight control.

Dominate the Hips

  • Prevent the opponent from escaping by controlling their hips with your legs, arms, or body.

Position Your Body

  • Align your body to apply maximum force to the targeted joint. Your hips, legs, or arms typically serve as the fulcrum.

Secure the Grip

  • Lock your hands or legs around the opponent’s limb to maintain control and prevent them from defending effectively.

Apply the Lock

  • Gradually increase pressure on the joint by extending, twisting, or compressing it, depending on the type of leg lock.

Common Types of Leg Locks

Straight Ankle Lock

  • Targets the ankle joint by leveraging against the Achilles tendon and extending the foot.

Heel Hook

  • Twists the foot and ankle to apply torque to the knee.

Kneebar

  • Hyperextends the knee joint, similar to an armbar applied to the leg.

Calf Slicer

  • Compresses the calf muscle against the shinbone.

Toe Hold

  • Applies twisting pressure to the ankle by manipulating the toes.

Compression Locks

  • Techniques like the Thigh Slicer involve compressing muscles or tendons.

Common Entries

From Single-Leg X Guard or X Guard

  • Isolate a leg to transition into various leg locks.

From Butterfly Guard

  • Use sweeps to expose the opponent’s leg for attacks.

From Half Guard

From Takedown Defense

  • Counter failed takedowns by isolating the opponent’s leg.

From Scrambles

  • Exploit openings during dynamic exchanges or positional transitions.

Tips for Success

Control the Hips

  • Immobilize the opponent’s hips to prevent them from escaping or rolling out.

Secure Tight Grips

  • Ensure your grips and leg control are firm to maintain pressure on the joint.

Leverage Your Body

  • Use your entire body, especially your hips, to generate force.

Gradual Application

  • Apply pressure slowly to avoid injury and give the opponent time to tap.

Awareness of Counters

  • Leg locks are often high-risk, as the opponent may attempt to counter with their own attacks.

Safety Note

Warning

Leg locks can cause severe injuries if applied recklessly, particularly to the knees and ankles. Always practice with care and release immediately when your partner taps. In some competitions, certain leg locks (e.g., Heel Hooks) are restricted or banned, especially for lower belts, so verify the rules before using them in a match.

Positioning

The Leg Lock thrives in positions where you can dominate the opponent’s Fundamentals/Base and hips while maintaining tight connections to isolate their leg. Proper leverage and positional control are essential for effectively applying these submissions.

From Half Guard

From Closed Guard

  • Transition into leg locks like the Straight Ankle Lock or Toe Hold when the opponent’s leg is exposed or they attempt to posture up.
  • Use hip movement to isolate their leg.

From Butterfly Guard

  • Sweep the opponent forward to expose their legs, transitioning into submissions like the Kneebar or Heel Hook.
  • Use hooks and elevation to trap their leg.

From X Guard or Single-Leg X Guard

From Side Control

  • Transition into leg locks when the opponent attempts to bridge or recover guard, exposing their legs.
  • Use their movement to isolate a leg and apply pressure.

From Mount

  • Transition into leg locks like the Kneebar or Calf Slicer if the opponent extends a leg during a bridge or escape attempt.

From North South

From Back Control

From Turtle Control

  • Attack the opponent’s leg when they post to recover guard or attempt to escape.
  • Transition into submissions like the Calf Slicer or Heel Hook.

From Standing

During Scrambles

  • Leg locks are highly effective in dynamic exchanges when the opponent’s legs are momentarily exposed.
  • Use transitions to quickly isolate and attack the knee or ankle.

During Guard Passing Defense

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