The use of leg locks by beginners is an often debated topic in the Jiu-Jitsu and grappling communities. Some feel that they’re too dangerous for lower belts to use, while others believe they are must-know techniques.
Here’s our beginner’s guide for learning leg locks and what to look for to avoid injuries. Check out our beginner tips below and why these techniques have a historical stigma.
Should Lower Belts Be Permitted to Learn Leg Locks?
Absolutely yes! Submissions attacking the legs are more prevalent in grappling and must be learned. Everything from the different types of leg attacks to the various leg entanglements must be studied and practiced.
However, lower belts are more restricted with which leg locks they can use in competition. Lower belts will need to read and remember which submissions are allowed to do, like in the IBJJF.
Different BJJ schools also have different rules for their lower belts using leg attacks. Read our complete list of tips for beginners to remember when learning leg locks.
Why is There a Historical Stigma with Leg Locks?
For years, leg locks have been associated with a giant stigma in grappling, particularly Jiu-Jitsu. Young leg-lockers may scoff at old-school BJJ guys who tell them to be careful, but there’s a good reason for worrying.
Leg attacks(particularly those attacking the knees) can cripple and put you off the mat indefinitely or forever. Modern medicine has come a long way in fixing busted knees, but remember that this science is still relatively new.
If you got your knee wrecked in training, let’s say, 30 years ago, you probably would never train again. Heck, orthopedic surgery was almost non-existent when BJJ was first being developed.
Getting your knee wrecked back then didn’t just mean that you couldn’t train; it meant you were partially crippled for life. It could’ve kept you from working and financially destabilized your family.
This is why there is a historical stigma with leg locks. We still believe that they should be learned, but you have to be careful and not ruin a training partner’s life.
Basic Leg Lock For Lower Belts
For lower belts beginning their journey into leg attacks, the best beginner leg lock is the straight ankle lock. A straight ankle lock can be used at all adult levels and can be done in nearly every leg entanglement.
Here are the steps for performing a basic straight ankle lock from standing while your opponent has an open guard.
Start At The Calf: When you fall into the ankle lock, wrap around your opponent’s calf muscle and slide your grip down. This will give you a better grip on the ankle.
Close Elbow & Bend The Toes: As you lock on your grip, close your elbow and bend your opponent’s toes down with your armpit. Their foot needs to be angled downward to apply pressure, and your closed elbow takes away space for escape.
Grip Options: You can use a palm-on-palm grip, figure-four grip, or even your Gi for the ankle lock. Grab your collar, block your opponent’s defenses with your free hand, and lock on the pressure.
Essential Tips For Beginners to Remember
Don’t Grip & Rip
Leg locks, especially heel hooks, can cause severe injuries if you rip them. Always prioritize control and safety over speed and aggression.
Communicate with your training partner, and apply leg locks slowly and gradually to give them time to tap.
2.Focus on Positioning
Positioning is critical in leg locks. Learn to establish strong control points like the Ashi Garami (leg entanglement positions) before attempting any leg attacks.
Control the hips and knees of your opponent to limit their movement and prevent escapes.
3. Learn Proper Mechanics
Understand the mechanics behind each leg lock. For example, in a heel hook, know how to isolate the knee and apply torque to the foot.
Practice the steps slowly and methodically to develop muscle memory.
4. Don’t Forget Defense
Learn to recognize the setups for leg locks so you can defend and escape before your opponent fully applies the submission.
Focus on breaking grips, controlling the inside space, and using your free leg to escape entanglements.
5. Stay Calm Under Pressure
When caught in a leg lock, stay calm and avoid panicking. Panicking can lead to improper defense and make you more vulnerable to injury.
Focus on your escapes, and remember that tapping early is always better than risking injury.
6. Integrate Leg Locks into Your Game
Don’t treat leg locks as isolated techniques. Integrate them into your BJJ game, including sweeps, guard passes, and submissions.
Recognize when leg locks are available and how they can transition into other techniques or positions.
7. Follow Your Gym’s Rules
Some gyms have specific rules or restrictions regarding leg locks, especially for lower belts. Always respect these rules and focus on learning safely.
If leg locks are allowed, make sure you understand the gym’s guidelines for applying them, especially in live rolling.
8. Study Leg Lock Specialists
To understand high-level strategies and techniques, watch matches and study techniques from leg lock specialists like John Danaher, Gordon Ryan, or Lachlan Giles.
Learn the principles they apply, such as control, positioning, and transitions.
9. Drill, Drill, Drill
Repetition is critical to mastering leg locks. Regularly drill both the offense and defense to build confidence and fluidity.
Start with slow, controlled drills before applying techniques in live rolling.
10. Maintain a Growth Mindset
Leg locks can be frustrating to learn, especially if you’re not used to them. Stay patient and maintain a growth mindset.
Embrace the learning process, including the mistakes, as they are essential to mastering leg locks.
Bobby is martial artist for almost 20 years with a BJJ black belt under Professor Sergio Miranda. He is also a karate black and former combat sports athlete, who loves all things grappling.
