To the uninitiated, leglocking can seem like a confusing black art; a spinning tangle of legs resulting in sudden match-winning submissions. But you can't just stick your head in the sand and ignore them because but leglocks have become HUGE in jiu-jitsu, especially in no gi grappling. To become a complete grappler (and to avoid tapping out 10 times per match to some young punk who just … [Read more...]
Ankle Lock
How to Do the Shotgun Ankle Lock
Rob Biernacki wanted to show me something. It was an ankle lock variation that he'd recently successfully used to win a match at the ADCC Open. Now I've seen a lot of ankle locks in my day. I've even done highly specific training of the muscles on the front of my shin in order to better resist getting ankle locked. But NOTHING could prepare me for this. He applied the footlock, and … [Read more...]
Inbound Soon – Improvements To Cutting Edge Leglocks
I spent the day with Rob Biernacki filming an insanely painful update to the leglock meta. The new and completely legal breaking mechanics will make the straight ankle lock as powerful as the heel hook, which is a terrifying thought. And yes, Rob celebrated with his now traditional post-filming gelato. In short, we're going to be covering a new breaking mechanism, which is to say, a brand new … [Read more...]
Three Critical Control Points You Must Have to Apply a Good Leglock
It's a terrible thing to do all that work to get into a good leglock position only to have your opponent find enough space to slip out and escape. Or worse, have him laugh at your submission attempt because it's not tight enough to cause him any concern. The key to a good leglock is having 3 points of control, namely, The three ingredients of every good leglock are Control of the hip, … [Read more...]
How to do the Low Single for No Gi Grappling
The low single is a variation of the single leg takedown, which is one of the staple techniques of wrestling. Probably the most famous low single in history belonged to John Smith, who used this move to win multiple world championships and multiple Olympic gold medals. Not only is the low single is good for winning Olympic medals, it's also a great technique for submission … [Read more...]
Which Leglocks Are Allowed in IBJJF Competition?
I'm old enough to remember a time when almost all leglocks (except heel hooks) and leg locking positions were legal in BJJ competition. But in the last 20 years the IBJJF - the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation - has really clamped down on what's legal in their BJJ competitions, and since it's the biggest organising body in the sport these rule changes have really changed the leglock … [Read more...]
The Modern Leglock Formula is Out!
The Modern Leglock Formula is finally out and it's the best leglock instructional that I've ever seen. Rob Biernacki, the star of The BJJ Formula, has outdone himself. In this 10 volume set he has created a step-by-step guide to the submissions, positions, transitions and strategies that are make up the lower body submission game that has become so popular and so powerful in modern … [Read more...]
How to Maintain Rear Mount, Improve Guillotines, and Thwart ‘Combatives’ Experts
Rear mount seems like such a simple position: I mean, you're basically just piggybacking on your opponent, right? Well, success in jiu-jitsu usually means doing simple, fundamental things with a high degree of sophistication and attention to detail. And rear mount is no different - switch your grip by a couple of inches, have your hand open instead of closed, do the wrong thing for even a … [Read more...]
Tap Out Less Often! The ‘Submission Defense’ App for Android…
After a ton of planning and working with video editors and Android app programers, I'm thrilled to announce that Submission Defense - the latest Grapplearts app for the Android platform - is finally ready!! This app was designed with one single-minded purpose: to help you tap out much less often. This app takes you through my very favorite escapes for many of the most common and most … [Read more...]
The 3 Fanciest Leglocks That Actually Work
Some leglocks are simple, straight-ahead, super-effective submissions that should be in every grappler's arsenal. Other leglock attacks, by contrast, are super-complicated multi-step techniques. And once you actually manoeuvre everybody into place you're left with something that resembles an octopus orgy: arms, legs, and other body parts tangled together in a giant Gordian knot. The more … [Read more...]
Fifty Ways to Improve Your Grappling Almost Immediately
Sometimes the best way to get better is simply to stop doing things wrong. Over the years I've shot quite a few guerilla-style videos breaking down many of the most common mistakes that I see for different positions and submissions. I get a lot of positive feedback on these videos, because apparently I'm not the only person to have made all these mistakes on the mat! Here, all in one post, are … [Read more...]
Breaking down the Ankle Lock
Originally published in Grappling Magazine (August 2005 issue) The ankle lock has a long and varied history. This technique was used by many of the traditional Ju-jutsu schools in medieval Japan, North American Catch Wrestling as well as in pre-World War 2 Judo. Then it fell onto hard times. Judo banned the ankle lock. Catch Wrestling faded in prominence. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu never actually … [Read more...]
Jiu-jitsu and Physical Attributes
Physical attributes are things like balance, neck strength, limb length, explosiveness, leg flexibility, and percent body fat. Your physical attributes are the foundation of what you can do with your body, and are influenced by genetics, training, age and injuries. Some instructors teach as if everyone, regardless of age, build and flexibility, can use the same techniques. Well I'm here to tell … [Read more...]
Thrashing Escapes
As you may know already, I like leglocks a lot.I have applied hundreds upon hundreds of leglocks to training partners without injuring them.This week I am going to tell you about the ONLY person I have ever injured using a leglock. I was grappling at a class once, in a bit of a lazy mood.I was playing light and easy, not really going for the kill very often or with very much intensity.Eventually … [Read more...]
Double Ankle Control Position for Footlocks
Today’s topic is a slightly unusual control position for footlocks. Control positions are methods of positioning your legs while you are attempting a leglock. The purpose of a control position is to control your opponent’s legs and body while you set up and execute your leglock. First check out the below (taken at Grapplemania Seattle. January 29th 2005, by Jermiah Armstrong). In this … [Read more...]
Other Ankle Lock Mistakes
In a recent article I talked about the most common mistake novice leglockers make when trying to use the ankle lock. Here are a few more common errors: Telegraphing the attack. I often see someone decide to use an ankle lock to counter the open guard: this person then wraps his arm around the ankle, pauses, considers whether to proceed, and only then falls back into an ankle lock. This is way … [Read more...]
The Most Common Ankle Lock Mistake
Let's talk about the basic ankle lock (also known as the 'Achilles lock' or the 'straight foot lock') today. When I see people trying ankle locks in sparring and in competition the most common error I see is targetting, by which I mean where they are placing their forearms on their opponent's ankle.\ Quite often I see people trying to apply the ankle lock by putting pressure far too high up the … [Read more...]