Leg Entanglements
Leg entanglements are the control positions behind every modern leg lock: straight ashi garami, inside sankaku (the saddle or 4-11), 50/50, outside ashi and cross ashi. Each variant below covers entries, control, the submissions available and, for the person caught, the escapes. Heel hooks are only legal in some rule sets and at some belt levels, so check your rules before drilling.
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Also called leg locks, ashi garami, saddle, inside sankaku, 50/50, fifty fifty.
Ashi Garami (Straight Ashi)
The basic single-leg entanglement with your outside foot on their hip. Home of the straight ankle lock and the entry to everything else.
- Entries Entering ashi garami from single-leg X, butterfly, shin-to-shin, half guard and while passing. 7
- Control Knee line, hip and foot placement so the opponent cannot pull the leg out or roll away. 4
- Submissions Straight ankle lock, the outside heel hook (where legal), toe hold and the Estima lock. 14
- Transitions Moving between ashi garami, the saddle, 50/50 and outside ashi as the opponent defends. 2
Inside Sankaku (Saddle / 4-11)
A triangle of your legs around one of the opponent's legs with their knee pointing up. The most powerful leg lock position - home of the inside heel hook.
- Entries Entering the saddle from K-guard, RDLR, the Imanari roll, from top position and by transition from ashi. 9
- Control Keeping the knee line, controlling the secondary leg and stopping the opponent from clearing their knee. 2
- Submissions The inside heel hook, kneebar and toe hold from the saddle, and the finishing mechanics. 7
- Transitions Moving to backside 50/50, the back or top position when the heel is hidden. 2
50/50
Both athletes' legs are entangled symmetrically. Whoever wins the heel hook, kneebar or sweep battle wins the position.
- Control and Positioning Hip height, grips and the come-up that turn a neutral 50/50 into your position. 3
- Submissions Inside heel hook, straight ankle lock, kneebar and toe hold in 50/50, and the rule-set differences. 5
- Sweeps and Come-Ups Coming up to top position and scoring the sweep from 50/50 in points matches. 2
- Escapes Clearing the knee line and freeing the leg to exit 50/50 safely. 2
Outside Ashi and Cross Ashi
Entanglements where your legs are on the outside of the opponent's leg. The best positions for the outside heel hook and for following a turning opponent.
- Entries Entering outside ashi and cross ashi from single-leg X, ashi garami and when the opponent turns away. 3
- Control Foot placement and hip pressure that stop the opponent from turning out or standing. 1
- Submissions The outside heel hook, straight ankle lock and toe hold from outside and cross ashi. 4
Leg Lock Defence and Escapes
Your leg is caught. Hide the heel, clear the knee line and get your leg back before the submission is set.
- Escapes Escapes from ashi garami, the saddle, 50/50 and outside ashi - clearing the knee line and freeing the leg. 5
- Submission Defence Late-stage defences to heel hooks, straight ankle locks, toe holds and kneebars, and when to tap. 6
- Concepts and Safety How leg locks injure, which are legal under which rules, and the principles behind every escape. 6